The liberals are trying to halt the movement of Catholics into the Republican side of the aisle. I do not think it will work.
The encyclical that PF just released is getting lauds from liberals because of his environmental statements - but if and when (will the happen?) they read the entire encyclical, they will be amazed at PF’s emphatic statements regarding the issues of abortion, sexual immorality, gender-bending nonsense, and gay marriage.
He is still a Catholic after all, and still follows the time-honored tenets of the church regarding personal behavior in our sexual lives. Marriage is still between a man and a woman, and he states quite clearly that the differences between men and women ought to be celebrated. Femininity and masculinity are complementary, he says.
It was a bad decision for the Vatican to get involved in the issue of AGW. Despite what its adherents say, it is not settled science. Being pro-environment does not mean a person is anti-mining, for dirty water and air, etc.
It works pretty well so far.
Catholics have almost always voted democrat, and they preferred Clinton and Gore, and Obama.
Francis speaks for the majority of Catholic voters, that is why his disapproval among American Catholics, is only 4%.