NOTE: With the indulgence of those who may have read (and remembered!) this contribution from OBL's previous incarnation, and as a follow-up to the latest contribution, I re-offer what has been electronically offered before.

"Even in death he was presidential," said my wife after watching the state funeral of former president Richard Nixon. Her point was that, in spite of all his flaws, Nixon carried himself as a president, had the air of a president, insisted on acting like a president. In short, was presidential.

Perhaps you've heard the stories. Nixon insisted that close friends call him Mr. President; even his closest friend, Bebe Rebozo, when fishing, was expected to say "Would you like a beer, Mr. President." Nixon always wore only a coat and tie "when I'm writing a speech or working on a book or dictating...even when I'm alone." In 1960, he refused to contest the fraud in the election because it could damage the presidency. And Nixon insisted on entering any event to "Hail to the Chief" because it brought to fore the presidency (even though it might also have fed his own fragile ego).

For Richard Nixon, the office of the president demanded a certain demeanor. It was a position of honor. He insisted that others treat the office with the honor and prestige that it not simply deserved but demanded. Of course, that is the great irony his opponents and critics never fail to note regarding the disgrace of his resignation. Yet the point still remains: the office as such requires an uncommon level of respect which should not only be expected but also demanded from others. And from the president himself.

Both when he was in the office and even after he resigned, Nixon never forgot what it meant to be presidential. "I never once heard the President criticize a sitting president," said Robert Dole in his eulogy for Nixon. And even in his later years as "elder statesman," he still insisted on being addressed as "Mr. President"--for the sake of the office.

Richard Nixon's approach to the office of president is a teacher to those who hold the office of Pastor. For the Pastoral office requires at least as much respect as the office of the President of the United States. In the latter, the man represents the people. In the former, the man is the mouth of God. In the latter, the dictum vox populi, vox Dei ("the voice of the people is the voice of God") accords to the man uncommon honor. In the former, does not the dictum praedicatio verbi Dei est verbum Dei ("the proclamation of the Word of God is the Word of God") accord at least uncommon honor to the office holder of the predigtamt?

Richard Nixon knew that such honor is not so much earned as expected. The office demands it. The honor to the office demands it. Nixon also knew that such honor begins with the office holder himself--how he conducts himself, how he permits himself to be addressed, how he dresses, how he makes his entrance.

There was no Jimmy Carter-like jeans, sweater and open neck shirt for Richard Nixon. No interviews while lumbering through the streets of Washington. No "President Dick" or even "Mr. Nixon." Not because it was too informal or unlofty or even uncharacteristic for Nixon. But because it was unpresidential and demeaned the office.

Yet more and more, office-holders of the office of the Holy Ministry insist on being called "Pastor Bob," dressing in leisure cloths, and doing everything they can to be "just one of the people." They want to be more chummy, down to earth and approachable; to remove what is perceived as an unwanted (and even unchristian!) barrier between clergy and laity.

Nixon would say that such informality actually demeans the office. Such familiarity breeds contempt--for the mouth of God but more so for the Word who proceeds from that mouth.

Richard Nixon knew that a certain unapproachableness was not only good and beneficial, but also demanded by the office. It was part of paying honor to that office. So, for the sake of the office--so that the office might receive its due honor--the office-holder conducts himself in such as way as to receive the uncommon honor and respect from others due to the office.

Among his strengths, one of his greatest was that Richard Nixon did not shrink from expecting and receiving the honor of the office of the president. If only half of today's pastors had that same view of their own office!

Originally composed 5 Feb 1994

Revised 2 March 1999

Source for Nixon quotations: Bob Greene column, Chicago Tribune, 24 April 1994, section 5, page 1

© Copyright Rev. Fr. John W. Fenton 1999

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