IN THE PIPELINE:

“No, no, no. Not God Bless America, God d*** America!” So much for slogans such as “I like Ike” and “A chicken in every pot” during the campaign season.

This year it’s the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s pastor for 20 years, who, for right or wrong, seems to have cornered the market on most-quoted phrases. Becoming such a potent force in the race is not something he appears to have orchestrated deliberately, but this week the pastor’s influence has most certainly affected a couple of important primaries. And while his words are not the official language of either campaign, they have become campaign components that no doubt are resonating more than the candidate’s “official” catchphrases (“Change We Can Believe In” for Obama and “Help Make History” for Sen. Hillary Clinton. Sen. John McCain does not seem to have landed on a line yet).

I was curious this week how a certain local pastor felt about all the attention being showered on Wright: Father Bruce Patterson, pastor at Saint Bonaventure in Huntington Beach. For years, as a parishioner, I have enjoyed Patterson’s candor, intelligence, humor, exceptional communication skills and, mostly, the fact that he’s not afraid to tackle the hard issues in society today. As well, the fact that he espouses a truly “regular guy” appeal makes him accessible and a wonderful source of clarity/counsel when it comes to understanding faith in a modern, contemporary environment.

On a Friday morning just before 8:30 Mass, we met in the rectory for a chat, with Patterson’s big, venerable golden retriever, Dylan, watching us. So, what was Patterson’s initial impression on all of this?

“Sort of like watching a slow-motion train wreck,” he laughed. “But, on the other hand,” he said, carefully choosing his words, “Sometimes, even though I disagree with essentially everything I’ve heard Rev. Wright say, I almost have this… wistful ‘pulpit envy’ because I’d love to let loose like that!”

What about the way Wright was being portrayed in the media?

“Well, it seems like his ego speaking, but I don’t want to prejudge him. But I do think religious leaders have a role in the public square. We’ve been hogtied for several decades now largely because of certain social issues and people’s sensitivities to those issues. However, there was a time when religious figures played a big part in society. I mean, way back, before this country was founded, it took a Pope’s decree to create holidays — and to say that Sundays would be a day of rest and to go to church,” Patterson said.

What about the relationship of a candidate and his long-term pastor being valid as an issue, especially as it applies to this example?

“It might be hard on a candidate to have to answer everything about a relationship, but it’s absolutely valid,” Patterson said. “I mean, one would have heard a lot of this incendiary stuff during Wright’s sermons it seems. But as to what effect it has on a person, that’s up to the candidate to explain what sort of influence if any, it had. Plus, many Catholic public officials also don’t toe the line on church issues. They are independent; they feel free to form their own judgments. I don’t think people hold it against you if you explain what you believe in — at least I hope they don’t. Also, I know there’s paranoia about church vs. state issues and it’s a good paranoia. ... We should always watch that closely; That’s what democracy is about, bringing issues forward and then battling over them.”

Do parishioners challenge Patterson when they hear something they don’t like?

“Sure. When you tread on matters of public life, you’ll ruffle feathers. I didn’t give up my right as a citizen when I put on the collar. People may like to think that, even prefer that to be the case, but we don’t. We are citizens and should be able to weigh in on issues, even in church. My perspective in the town square is essential, but Rev. Wright’s situation is a cautionary tale.

“As religious leaders, we have a responsibility as we shape and form consciousness in people. If we present a world view, we have to be careful what we say — that the facts are right and that we reinforce unification, not separatism. We’re accountable for everything we say. We’re public personas. When you put on the collar you surrender your privacy. There are all kinds of benefits to being a religious leader but there’s also a price. You’re going to be scrutinized, period.

“That said, we still need to speak out. If we try and paint religious leaders into a corner, all we’ll talk about are puppy dogs, butterflies and sunsets, and then we will have emasculated the voice of the church, and I think that’s dangerous.”

Patterson closed our conversation with a memory about a religious leader speaking out.

“My dad had a pastor in the 1930s who railed against the U.S. selling scrap metal to Japan. ‘If we continue,’ he said, ‘We’ll get it back in bombs and bullets’ — and we did. I think many religious leaders have vision, common sense and should be heard. But I think the price we pay for that freedom is that sometimes it gets a little uncomfortable. That’s OK, though.”

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 11 books. You can write him at [email protected].