by Jared Zimmerman

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Church is both within history, but also transcends it (Section 770). Additionally, the Catechism states that the Church is both a means by which Christ speaks to his flock and a “visible society.” (Section 771). Why does this matter? Especially to our non-Catholic (or non-religious) friends and neighbors?

It matters because it suggests that there are universal principles which do not solely exist in the realm of abstract thought. Rather than being an armchair philosopher espousing “feel good” principles, a visible Church requires concrete action. Moreover, it calls the individual and community to move from passivity to actively embody the values they profess. For example, is someone who merely makes a social media post about injustice actually creating change? Probably not. Conversely, the Church answers the call of Christ to care for our neighbors not with a post, but by living the values she espoused. For example, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul uses this calling to actively clothe, feed, and house those in need, regardless of religious affiliation. Likewise, the Church calls for us to be more “Christ-like” and one of the ways this is embedded is through organizations like the Knights of Columbus (of which I am a proud member) and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. These organizations carry out charitable works such as supporting families in need, funding community and parish initiatives, and promoting service, unity, and faith through organized outreach and volunteer efforts. They provide direct and visible support not only to their members and their families, but to their greater community.

This call to visible action is not incidental, but flows from the Church’s very nature. Visibility, in this sense, forces a transition from expression to embodiment. Even if one is a non-believer, the theological or academic logic of a visible Church is still of the utmost importance. This is because it serves as a rallying cry for good and as a banner for universal truths. Additionally, it aids in clarifying moral ambiguity, drawing clearer lines between what is considered good and evil. From a Christian perspective, this visibility is grounded in the Incarnation itself, with God becoming visible and tangible in Christ, rather than remaining purely abstract or distant.

This idea of a visible Church can just as easily be applied to the practice of law. For example, there are Rules of Professional Conduct that obligate lawyers to behave in certain ways and prohibit them from certain actions. This is a visible set of standards that mandates certain ethical behavior and failure to adhere to it can lead to excommunication (disbarment). Likewise, licensing requirements for attorneys serve as a visible threshold of entry into the profession, signaling to the public that certain minimum standards of competence and ethics have been met. Even disciplinary bodies such as state bar associations function as ongoing visible mechanisms of accountability, where violations of professional norms are formally investigated and sanctioned. Similarly, law school can be understood as an early site of formation, where future lawyers are not only trained in doctrine but are called to recognize that legal knowledge carries a responsibility to pursue justice in practice, not merely in theory.

Ultimately, the value of visibility lies in its ability to make principles real and actionable rather than distant and theoretical. In both religious and legal contexts, it is not enough for ideals to exist because they must be lived out in a structured and recognizable way. Without this visibility, even the strongest principles risk losing their clarity and influence in everyday life. This is especially relevant in our modern day, where moral discourse often remains abstract, fragmented, or confined to individual expression rather than collective practice.

 

Jared Zimmerman is a Murphy Scholar and 3L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in the JD/CSMA program.

“Student Perspective” is a recurring blog series which highlights the various activities of the Murphy Scholar graduate students during their fellowship.