A Moment We Can No Longer Ignore

There are moments in history when the gap between what is said in the name of faith and what is actually lived becomes impossible to ignore.

We are living in one of those moments.

A Clear Moral Voice

Pope Leo XIV has spoken with clarity that is difficult to misinterpret. He has condemned war not just as a political failure, but as a spiritual one. He has reminded the world that God cannot be used to justify violence, and that prayers offered by those who wage war are not aligned with the teachings of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace.

Those are not soft words. They are a direct challenge to how power often presents itself under the cover of religion.

Faith as a Stage Prop

And yet, in contrast, we have seen political leaders use faith not as a guide, but as a stage prop.

There was a moment not long ago when a church across from the White House became a backdrop for a photo opportunity. A Bible was held, not as a sacred text to be lived, but as a symbol to be displayed. It was a performance. And for those who understand the depth and meaning of faith, it was deeply troubling.

Faith is not something you hold for effect. It is something that shapes how you act, how you lead, and how you treat others.

When religion is reduced to imagery, it loses its integrity.

Power Over Peace

Pope Leo XIV has called for ceasefires, for dialogue, for leaders to come to the table and choose peace over destruction. He has spoken about the human cost of war, the lives lost, the families displaced, the suffering that ripples far beyond any battlefield.

But what we often see instead is a very different approach.

Power over patience. Force over dialogue. The belief that strength is demonstrated through domination rather than restraint.

There is a mindset that says it is quicker, easier, and more effective to ‘bomb the hell out of them’ than to sit across from an opponent and work toward understanding. That mindset may win headlines, but it does not build peace. It does not reflect the teachings of Christ.

A Theological Divide

From a theological perspective, this is where the divide becomes even more clear.

The teachings of Jesus are rooted in humility, compassion, and sacrifice. They call for a deep awareness of others, especially those who are suffering. They ask us to consider the impact of our actions, not just on ourselves, but on the lives of others.

When leadership is driven primarily by self-interest, there is little room for that kind of reflection.

There is little time to consider the child caught in the crossfire, the family forced from their home, or the long-term consequences of decisions made in moments of aggression.

This is not just a political issue. It is a moral one.

Where We Stand

Because if we claim to be guided by faith, then our actions must reflect that claim.

We cannot say we believe in a God of peace while supporting actions that perpetuate violence.

We cannot speak of prayer while ignoring the suffering that continues as a result of our choices.

And we cannot allow faith to be used as a tool for influence while ignoring its deeper call to truth and accountability.

This is where each of us must decide where we stand.

Not based on party. Not based on personality. But based on principle.

Faith, when it is real, does not need to be displayed. It is revealed through action.

And truth, no matter how deeply it has been buried or how inconvenient it may be, has a way of rising to the surface.

The question is whether we are willing to see it and respond accordingly.

About Deacon Margaret Mary O’Connor

Deacon Margaret Mary O’Connor, a member of the Catholic laity, once believed she understood her Church and its teachings. Everything changed the day she uncovered a centuries old scandal of lies and institutional cover up surrounding the history of women in ordained ministry. Realizing that her own Church had hidden the truth about women priests, women deacons, and even women bishops, she felt a deep and unforgettable sense of betrayal.

That moment became the catalyst for her mission. Margaret Mary now travels what she calls the Highway of Radical Truth, exposing the layers of deception that have kept millions of Catholics unaware of the prominent roles women held in early Church history. Her work challenges long held assumptions, confronts the complicity of the hierarchy, and calls Catholics to learn the real history for themselves.

For Margaret Mary, every Catholic deserves the truth. She believes transparency is not optional, especially when the suppression of women’s vocations continues to harm the Church today. Her research shines a spotlight on hidden historical records that may even hold answers to the modern priest shortage.

Often described as a “Modern Day David,” Margaret Mary is relentless in her commitment to revealing what has been intentionally concealed. Through her well researched writings, public advocacy, and ministry within the Celtic Christian Church, she brings these buried truths to light.

She is the author of Scandal in the Shadows and Journey of a Celiac’s Soul, and remains a force for honesty, courage, and reform within the broader Catholic conversation.