In a culture saturated with political noise, it can be easy to let party loyalty shape our identity. But Fr. John Paul Erickson offers a needed correction: “Our fundamental allegiance is to Jesus… and the Catholic Church.”

Responding to a caller’s question about political leaders who speak against the Holy Father, Fr. Erickson emphasized a truth many Catholics forget—we are Christians first. Not voters first. Not professionals first. Christ must come before every other affiliation.

This priority has real consequences. It shapes not only what we believe, but how we speak. “Always witness to the priority of love,” Fr. Erickson said. Even in disagreement, Catholics are called to reject toxic, divisive rhetoric. Instead, we speak with respect, even toward those we strongly oppose.

He also reminded listeners that the pope carries a unique and global responsibility. While Catholics may not agree with every prudential judgment, we are still called to listen with humility and respect. “We owe him that respect… an attentive heart and an attentive ear.”

In the end, the path forward is simple, but not easy: keep Christ at the center. Let love guide every conversation. And never forget where your true allegiance lies.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

In a culture saturated with political noise, it can be easy to let party loyalty shape our identity. But Fr. John Paul Erickson offers a needed correction: &ldquo;Our fundamental allegiance is to Jesus&hellip; and the Catholic Church.&rdquo;
Responding to a caller&rsquo;s question about political leaders who speak against the Holy Father, Fr. Erickson emphasized a truth many Catholics forget&mdash;we are Christians first. Not voters first. Not professionals first. Christ must come before every other affiliation.
This priority has real consequences. It shapes not only what we believe, but how we speak. &ldquo;Always witness to the priority of love,&rdquo; Fr. Erickson said. Even in disagreement, Catholics are called to reject toxic, divisive rhetoric. Instead, we speak with respect, even toward those we strongly oppose.
He also reminded listeners that the pope carries a unique and global responsibility. While Catholics may not agree with every prudential judgment, we are still called to listen with humility and respect. &ldquo;We owe him that respect&hellip; an attentive heart and an attentive ear.&rdquo;
In the end, the path forward is simple, but not easy: keep Christ at the center. Let love guide every conversation. And never forget where your true allegiance lies.
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The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.