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Posted on 02/13/2013 3:44:10 AM PST by IbJensen
Obama to Pope: 'I have appreciated our work together over these last four years' President Barack Obama has released a statement on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and, as usual, it's all about himself. In three spartan sentences, he manages to use the word “I” four times.
The use of the first-person singular is Obama's own Holy Tradition, a hallmark of both his rhetoric and his governing style. His administration is a Magisterium of one.
Nonetheless, one line is particularly galling: “Michelle and I warmly remember our meeting with the Holy Father in 2009, and I have appreciated our work together over these last four years.”
That mutual work has consisted of:
•Stripping the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops of federal grants to fight sex trafficking, because the USCCB would not refer patients for abortion;
• Forcing Catholic non-profits and laity to violate their faith by financing abortifacients at home and abortion around the world;
• Publicly advocating the redefinition of the family, something the pope said just last month threatens “the future of humanity”;
•Trying to have the government decide who is a “minister,” a ploy with far-reaching implications that the Supreme Court unanimously struck down; • Reducing the “freedom of religion” to a mere “freedom of worship”; and
• Generally trying to shoehorn people of faith into a tiny, hermetically sealed box as far removed from the public square as possible.
In other words, Obama thanked himself for a four-year relationship that has been purely adversarial.
As Bill Clinton might say, that takes a lot of brass.
One is tempted to interpret Obama's strange show of appreciation as a sign of good sportsmanship, rather like opposing teams shaking hands after a basketball game. One could also detect an oblique sense of gloating, as he congratulates himself on outflanking the Church in the United States, often with the active aid and participation of the Catholic laity and hierarchy.
Compare Obama's statement with that of House Speaker John Boehner, who is Catholic:
The prayers and gratitude of American Catholics are with Pope Benedict XVI today. The Holy Father’s decision displays extraordinary humility and love for the Church, two things that have been the hallmarks of his service. Americans were inspired by his visit to the United States in 2008, and by his quiet, steady leadership of the Church in uncertain times. People of all nations have been blessed by the sacrifices he has made to sow the seeds of hope, justice, and compassion throughout the world in the name of Our Lord and Savior.
Note the reverence, the attention to the good the other person has done, the beneficial impact someone else's actions have had, and the reference to a Higher Being.
Obama essentially read the pontiff out of his own statement, indulging him only insofar as the pope happened to coincide with his interests and those of the coalition that elected him.
Note to Speaker Boehner: This is how the conservative grassroots expect you to “work together” with President Obama in his second term.
Why do so many Catholics support this enemy of the Church?! I think the Catholic church is as sick as the Protestants churches are. God help this country, we need revival and the impeachment of this cancer in the White Hut!
Christian Churches and Jewish Synagogues whither while the evil islamic 'faith' is exalted! It's perfectly okay to denigrate Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin, but don't draw any cartoons of the evil pedophile Mohammed.
This is what the Pope and the entire Church gets for embracing this illegitimate marxist sociopath because of liberal guilt about his skin color. Credited for being his “associate”
Evil succeeeds when good men......do nothing
Absolutely cannot wait for the next Pope - already touted as an affirmative action pick
sarc
When a new Pope gets elected, and most likely a conservative one, Obama is going to be in for A BIG SURPRISE.
Obama, a legend in his own mind. He will use anybody to promote his own self image. And here you are messing that up with facts.
With all the recent appointments of new cardinals by both B16 and JP2 before him, look for a much conservative Pope.
I doubt the Church supports misuse of taxpayer$$$$$
which Obama-the-Undocumented Tyrant has given
to crucify Egyptian Christians.
Unfortunately, I expect Desmond TuTu in a red robe bent on making the Catholic Church another agent of reparations for colonialism, racism and man-made global warming
I wish I had your confidence
Cafeteria Catholics support the Marxist, just like they continue to reelect the likes of other pro-abortion, horrid libtard CINO’s like Piglosi, Leahy and Biden when he was a senator.
I hold that this practice will continue until American Cardinals take a stand by refusing Holy Communion to these high profile politicians.
Let the press and those politicians raise He//. It’s my belief that examples have to be set in order for the flock to get the message.
I agree with you, and IMO Pelosi and Sebelious should be the first to be excommunicated.
I doubt that Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana will be the next Pope.
Cardinal Marc Oeullet of Canada is more likely and he is conservative.
Absolutely, right along with Biden!
He’s an Anglican. What planet are you living on?
Or did you mean “I expect a Desmond-Tutu-like Catholic Cardinal to be elected”?
The problem is there are no Catholic African Cardinals of that sort.
And Turkson just took himself out of the running with that foolish interview he gave to The Telegraph. Openly campaigning for the position guarantees non-election. Moreover, the libs are all solidifying behind Turkson and will accuse the Church of racism if he’s not elected.
That kind of Affirmative Action Blackmail might work in secular politics, but I don’t think it will work in the Church with these cardinals, all appointed by JPII and Benedict XVI.
Turkson is toast.
But keep your eye on Ranjith of Sri Lanka.
a planet where some of the population understands metaphor
If you want metaphor you have to write metaphor. Words mean things, even hastily written combox words.
the same planet as Jack Chick?
The most important thing is to let the Holy Spirit do His job in the final decision.
From what I have read that Cardinal Oeullet of Canada looks like a young JP2.
Why I posted about Cardinal Turkson is because of the HUGH growth in the global south nations of the Church which also includes Africa.
Just keep a close eye on the “global south” branches of the RC Church, meaning Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Very devout areas.
Hopefully Obama comes down with whatever Hugo Chavez has... I rate this at 50% chance along with an asteroid demolishing Washingtoon DC
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