Vice President J.D. Vance's recently released book, "Communion," offers readers a personal journey through his conversion to Catholicism, a reflection on his marriage, and contemplative essays on the state of Western civilization. The book weaves together four distinct narratives, as described by commentator Hugh Hewitt.
The central thread of "Communion" follows Vance's lifelong exploration of faith and his eventual embrace of the Roman Catholic Church. The book also details his courtship of his wife, Usha, a former clerk to Chief Justice John Roberts. A third narrative presents a critique of the generational assumptions of the Baby Boomer generation regarding the West and its successes.
Vance offers a meditation on the potential overvaluation of the "rules-based world order" by older generations, suggesting that its foundations may be eroding. He posits that while the West's contest with the Soviet Union was won, the subsequent focus on global economics may have inadvertently contributed to the expansion of China's power and overlooked its ambitions. The book touches on the idea that the end of the Cold War did not signify the end of the struggle to preserve Western Christian civilization, but rather a shift in its nature and the challenges it faces, particularly from China and Russia.
"Communion" also includes occasional political reflections, such as an examination of the potential risks of unrestricted immigration to the foundations of Western civilization. These are presented as observations stemming from his Christian perspective rather than purely political rhetoric. Vance writes about the role of a Christian statesman in preserving social cohesion, a sentiment echoed by contemporary Christian writers featured in the book.
The Vice President draws on the works of various theologians and thinkers, including St. Augustine, G.K. Chesterton, Rene Girard, and Pope Leo XIII. The book also addresses the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandal, with Vance expressing outrage and condemnation of those complicit in its cover-up.
Hewitt characterizes "Communion" not as a political platform, but as a spiritual biography intended for Catholics, the Catholic-curious, or anyone interested in existential questions. The book is presented as an accessible exploration of faith and its role in navigating a rapidly changing world, particularly for young families grappling with new fears.