November 19, 2104 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

In 1925, Pope Pius XI established a new feast to end the liturgical year, the Feast of Christ the King. That time in history had seen the rise of the totalitarian systems, such as communism and socialism, which infringed on the free practice of the faith. Because the dominion of Christ the King was not a political but rather a spiritual reign, it could really co-exist with any type of government, as long as religious freedom was allowed. Normally, democracy would seem to be the best system of government compatible with the Christian faith, but a monarchy or other forms of government can also allow the Christian faith to thrive, if real freedom of conscience and worship are supported.

This feast allows us to recognize the tension that exists today between faith and politics in our own land. When Jesus was asked the famous question by Pontius Pilate, “Are you a King?,” Jesus simply said, “You say so.”

But what do we say about Christ? Is He our King? Is our conscience guided by our allegiance to Christ or a political party or to some other loyalty?

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.