The life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, provide an intriguing lens through which Catholics can reflect on the intersections of faith, leadership, and humanitarian service. While Carter’s theological positions often diverged from Catholic teaching, his deep Christian faith and commitment to serving the least among us offer valuable lessons for Catholics striving to live out their faith in a secular world.
A Shared Foundation in Christ
Jimmy Carter’s lifelong commitment to Christianity was evident in both his words and actions. Despite being a Baptist, Carter acknowledged the shared core beliefs that unite Christians across denominations. In his 2005 book Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis, he wrote: “Most of the rudiments of my faith in Christ as Savior and the Son of God are still shared without serious question by Protestants, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Copts, Seventh-day Adventists, and many other religious people.” For Catholics, this acknowledgment serves as a reminder of Christ’s prayer for unity among His followers (John 17:21).
Carter’s dedication to evangelization also resonates with Catholic teaching. Describing his Baptist convictions, he stated, “As evangelicals, we were committed to a strong global mission to share our Christian faith with all other people, without prejudice or discrimination.” This mirrors the Catholic Church’s call to proclaim the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19).
Faith in Action
Carter’s faith was not confined to personal piety but expressed through decades of humanitarian work. His partnership with Habitat for Humanity, where he built homes for the poor annually for nearly 40 years, exemplifies the Catholic principle of the preferential option for the poor. As Pope Francis noted in a condolence message, Carter’s “firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace… and the welfare of the poor” stands as a testament to the integration of faith and works.
His interactions with the Catholic Church further highlighted his respect for shared Christian values. Carter made history as the first U.S. president to welcome a pope to the White House, hosting Pope John Paul II in 1979. According to the National Archives, the two leaders spoke “not as diplomats but as Christian brothers,” focusing on their shared faith in Christ.
Challenges and Divergences
Despite his exemplary service, Carter’s positions on certain moral issues diverged from Catholic doctrine. He supported legal abortion under the framework of Roe v. Wade, though he expressed personal aversion to the practice, stating in a 1976 NBC interview, “I will do anything I can as president to minimize the need for abortions.” His signing of the Hyde Amendment in 1977, which restricts federal funding for abortions except in extreme cases, demonstrated some alignment with pro-life principles but fell short of Catholic teaching on the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.
Carter’s support for same-sex marriage also clashed with Catholic doctrine. In a 2018 interview, he stated, “Jesus would approve of gay marriage… if it was honest and sincere.” This perspective reflects his broader approach to emphasizing individual love and sincerity but departs from the Church’s teaching on marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman.
A Legacy of Christian Witness
Carter’s reflections on what it means to be a Christian offer profound insights. In his 2018 book Faith: A Journey for All, he wrote, “A Christian is a person professing Jesus Christ as personal savior and striving to have the human qualities demonstrated by Jesus.” He extolled Christ as “God and man, all-powerful but gentle and loving, all-knowing, compassionate, suffering… and now worshipped by billions of believers throughout the world.” For Catholics, these words echo the Catechism’s call to imitate Christ’s humility and love (CCC 520).
As Catholics, we can draw inspiration from Carter’s dedication to living out his faith through service, his advocacy for peace, and his respect for the shared foundations of Christian belief. At the same time, his divergences remind us of the importance of grounding our moral convictions in the fullness of Catholic teaching. May we, like Carter, strive to be faithful witnesses to Christ in both word and deed, always seeking unity and truth in our journey of faith.
