Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, opened the Vatican’s Lenten spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia. The Bishop cautioned against deploying the Gospel as a political weapon in culture wars. Varden emphasized that the hallmark of Christian sincerity is fidelity to Christ’s example and commandments. Authentic faith is indicated by the peace believers embody, which is a peace the world cannot give.
11 days ago
Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, a Cistercian, leads the Roman Curia's annual Lenten spiritual exercises at the Vatican from February 22 to 27, 2026.1 2
Pope Leo XIV selected Varden to preach on the theme "Illuminated by a Hidden Glory," with meditations delivered in the Pauline Chapel.2
Varden urged Christians to avoid using the Gospel as a "weapon in culture wars."1 2 3
He called for challenging "instrumentalizations of Christian language and signs" through teaching authentic spiritual warfare, rather than mere indignation.1 3
Fidelity to Christ's example and commandments defines Christian sincerity.1 2 3
The peace believers embody—which "the world cannot give"—signals Jesus's presence, serving as a key indicator of true faith.1 2 3
Varden cited St. John Climacus, warning that "no greater obstacle to the presence of the Spirit in us than anger" exists.1 2
Christian peace demands combating vices with clear "Yes, yes" and "No, no," not promising ease but enabling societal transformation.1 2 3
Lent confronts essentials, promoting "abstinence of the senses" and stripping away distractions.1 2
The Church's liturgy, including the chant "Qui habitat" from Psalm 91 on the First Sunday of Lent, sets a tone of melodic exegesis alongside Christ's temptation narrative.1 2
In a second meditation titled "Bernard the Idealist," Varden portrayed the 12th-century Cistercian as charismatic yet sometimes rigid, marked by humility and personal struggle.2
St. Bernard's teachings on conversion, rooted in Scripture and experience, guide the Lenten exodus from egocentrism toward God's love.2
Assess the ecclesial duty to avoid politicizing the Gospel
The Catholic Church upholds a sacred duty to proclaim the Gospel in its purity, distinct from political ideologies or partisan agendas, while fostering the laity's responsible participation in public life for the common good. This ecclesial obligation stems from the Church's transcendent mission, ensuring her witness remains a "sign and safeguard" of human dignity rather than a tool for temporal power.
The Second Vatican Council's Gaudium et Spes articulates the essential autonomy of the Church and the political sphere, rooted in their divergent yet complementary vocations. The Church is not identified in any way with the political community nor bound to any political system; she serves as a sign and a safeguard of the transcendent character of the human person. This separation prevents the Gospel from being co-opted into political programs, preserving the Church's freedom to preach, teach, and judge morally on matters affecting public order when fundamental rights or souls' salvation demand it.
The Catechism echoes this: "The Church, because of her commission and competence, is not to be confused in any way with the political community." She respects and encourages the political freedom and responsibility of the citizen. Politicizing the Gospel would erode this transcendence, reducing divine truth to ideological leverage. Instead, both Church and state pursue the human person's vocation—temporal for politics, eternal for the Church—fostering cooperation without fusion.
Public authority, while divinely ordained through human nature for the common good, must operate within moral limits; the Church invites rulers to align with the inspired truth about God and man without direct intervention.
Pastors bear a specific duty to form consciences through moral and social doctrine, avoiding direct political structuring. It is not the role of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life. This task belongs to the laity, acting with fellow citizens. Bishops, priests, and deacons teach fundamental moral principles to guide public decisions, but avoid endorsing or opposing candidates.
The U.S. Bishops' Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship reinforces this: Clergy stimulate insight into the authentic requirements of justice without entering the political battle. The Church cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring about the most just society possible nor replace the State, yet she cannot remain sidelined in justice's pursuit. Politics is a lofty vocation and form of charity when seeking the common good, but the Church's engagement is through Gospel light, not partisan sound bites or interests.
This duty safeguards the Gospel's universality: "Nothing human can be alien" to evangelization, yet it demands moral convictions over party loyalty.
While the Church avoids politicization, she exhorts the faithful to animate society with Christian commitment. All citizens...should be mindful of the right and also the duty to use their free vote to further the common good. Laypeople, nourished by doctrine, act as witnesses and agents of peace and justice in politics, economy, and culture.
Participation is a moral obligation rooted in baptism, promoting the common good without attributing excessive power to authority or making untimely demands. Catholics must prioritize principles over parties, transforming politics into a civilization of truth and love. The Church praises those devoting themselves to state service, urging integrity and wisdom against injustice.
Conflating Gospel and politics risks casting doubt on the sincerity of her witness, prompting the Church to forgo even legitimate rights if they obscure her mission. Historical critiques warn of secularization's roots in politicized biblical interpretation, dismembering Scripture for ideological ends. Instead, the Church fosters civic and political formation, especially for youth, to practice politics with charity and fortitude.
In pluralistic societies, recognizing legitimacy of different opinions on temporal solutions respects diversity while upholding Gospel primacy.
The ecclesial duty to avoid politicizing the Gospel preserves the Church's prophetic voice, distinguishing her spiritual authority from temporal power while empowering laity for faithful citizenship. By proclaiming Christ's truth—focusing on human dignity, common good, and justice—the Church guides without dominating, ensuring evangelization transforms hearts and societies authentically.