ERIE — In the face of a Democratic sweep in the nation showing apprehension to its Republican leadership, former Vice President Mike Pence emphasized unity through morality in a visit to Erie on Wednesday night.

Pence joined Paul McNulty, recently retired Grove City College president who served as deputy attorney general during the George W. Bush administration, for a conversation on religion and politics at the Jefferson Educational Society.

The conversation was part of the society’s Global Summit event series that brings world leaders to the local stage.

Pence and McNulty emphasized faith as the foundation for civility and said the values they hold as Christians are a vital part to bringing the country back to a place of prosperity. The two currently teach political science classes together at Grove City College.

Pence related that early in his career, he felt he had to choose between being a public servant and being a Christian. What the two now teach students is that they don’t have to choose. With Gov. Josh Shapiro being Jewish and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani drawing on their faith for their political values, Pence and McNulty likewise explained how their faith has shaped their lives and why they see it as the path to move forward together.

Speaking to The Meadville Tribune, McNulty said, “Some people think that it’s in conflict with their faith to be engaged in politics and public service because they have to compromise so much. And what we want to say is no, you don’t have to compromise. You can be consistent to your convictions and still be able to serve extensively.”

He believes that institutions like Grove City College are essential to that work. In fact, it’s a story in his own life that led him to that perspective. McNulty’s son, Joe, battled cancer for two years and died at 26 nearly 13 years ago.

McNulty said that was a driving force to wanting to become president of Grove City College because he had a passion for being involved in the lives of young people and establishing a foundation of faith that can help them in unpredictable times. His job now allows him to guide students through finding their own beliefs but also respecting the beliefs of others.

“That’s where the faith-based school is an absolutely strong position, because the school is trying to teach people to respect others and realize that we’re all made in the image of God, and therefore there’s a fundamental respect that needs to be a part of how we engage,” McNulty told the Tribune.

He said that religiously-based schools like Gannon University in Erie can instill in students that there’s value in each human being and that everyone deserves fundamental respect.

Part of the way to do that, he explained, is to be more intentional in using language. And he believes that begins with top officials who have to be role models.

In speaking with the Tribune and on stage, McNulty pointed out that U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi called President Donald Trump a “vile creature” and the “worst thing” on Earth this week. He said that’s not a good example of marshaling her words very carefully.

“Obviously she’s upset with him; obviously she disagrees with him profoundly,” McNulty said, “But a person in that position — and the president’s in the same position — they need to pick their words carefully, or at least in a more constructive way. And I think young people need to hear that and have role models that do that.”

Pence confessed that hasn’t always been his strong suit. Instead of the Bible’s “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” politics often emphasizes to “do unto others before they can do it to you.”

However, he said he stands strong in his convictions, like during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

“I want to be clear, Jan. 6 was a tragedy,” Pence said before pointing out that they were still able to convene and show resilience by having a peaceful transfer of power.

He believes there’s nothing more un-American than a politician trying to choose the president; that choice “belongs to the American people and the American people alone.”

Pence said he felt a deeper absolve that day than any other day as the riot unfolded because he felt his sense of duty to the American people. Although he still doesn’t understand why Trump wasn’t able to come to that same conclusion, he believes it’s a point of reflection for us all and how we can be more civil with one another.

“Democracy depends on heavy doses of civility,” he said. “There’s a difference between saying your ideas are bad and saying you’re a bad person.”

He said he’s still prideful of his accomplishments with the Trump administration and respects the peace that Trump is trying to create in Israel.

McNulty said if anything, the Democratic wave on Tuesday taught them that people are focused on issues that deal with humility whether that’s through cost of living, child care or public transportation. Drawing on faith values, he believes, can guide people to help one another more. Having been instrumental in the nation’s response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, McNulty said he’s seen how a country can come together in hard times to help one another.

Likewise, Pence said it’s not OK to do things like unilaterally impose tariffs on friends and foes and thinks the tension over those kinds of decisions have deepened in the current political climate.

He concluded that he firmly hopes to see politics come back to a place of common ground and human decency through faith.

“We have the capacity to come together as a nation,” he said. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”