Posted on 07/09/2009 7:53:09 PM PDT by presidio9
Tomorrow Pope Benedict XVI and President Barack Obama meet for the first time, an affair much anticipated and in some circles frowned upon by American Catholics in the wake of Obama's controversial Notre Dame commencement speech in May. Conservatives in the church denounced Obama's appearance as a nod by the premier Catholic university to a conciliatory politics that heralds the start of a slippery moral slope.
In truth, though, Obama's pragmatic approach to divisive policy (his notion that we should acknowledge the good faith underlying opposing viewpoints) and his social-justice agenda reflect the views of American Catholic laity much more closely than those vocal bishops and pro-life activists. When Obama meets the pope tomorrow, they'll politely disagree about reproductive freedoms and homosexuality, but Catholics back home won't care, because they know Obama's on their side. In fact, Obama's agenda is closer to their views than even the pope's.
It's fitting that Obama's visit comes just days after the publication of "Charity in Truth," a Vatican encyclical that declares unions, regulation of capitalism's excesses, and environmentalism to be ethical imperatives. The document gives moral credence to Obama's message and to progressive politics writ large.
Even more intriguing is the pope's support for political activism, which he refers to in the encyclical as "the institutional path … of charity,
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
Who'da thought... a Kennedy bending the Catholic religion to meet their wants, needs and politics.
Honey the Catholic Church is not a club, if you disagree with the Pope on abortion and homosexuality, you are welcome to leave.
Catholics who put charitable issues ahead of life issues are WRONG! The weight of those deaths are on them for voting for that sorry excuse of a President.
Ah, but Liberalism always trumps Religion. And Liberals believe that they have the right to tell God what to do.
If you disagree with the Catholic Church on abortion, you never came in the door in the first place. The sanctity of life is central to the faith. It you denied that one, you were never practicing the Catholic religion.
bump
Ah yes, the former Leftenant Governor of the scrofulous PRM [Peoples’ Republic of Maryland] - yet another shining example of the Kennedy clan’s open and notorious fondness for line breeding and, it is clear, always marrying into line bred families - the poor wench is absolutely oblivious and, moreover, dumber than a sack of hammers.
as a practicing Catholic I thought nothing could make me laugh harder as when the NYSlimes was ranting Catholics in America were freaked out by the conservative approach the newly appointed Pope Benedict followed upon his ascension to the Papacy...
that was until I read the first few paragraphs of this litter box liner....
Where is her bishop?
Taxation is not Charity.
If I were President, this should be printed on the money.
Liberals always only hear what they want to hear. Nowhere in Caritas in Veritate (Charity of Truth) does the Vatican endorse government-enforced wealth redistribution. It talks about fair employment practices, but it does not endorse cripling union strategies that ultimately hit the workers and their communities hardest when they destroy the company (as is now happening in Massachusettes). Getting rich has never been a sin in the Catholic faith, and Catholicism is quite compatible with capitalism. Catholicism has always stood opposed to institutional socialism and the welfare state, as these are things that destroy men’s souls.
As I said, liberals always have no choice to interpret such things so they agree with what they believe. That’s how you run into Catholics who think there is some wiggle room on abortion.
KKT- a woman so stupid (literally) she couldn’t even get elected Governor of the demokrat republic of Maryland
Oh, the hubris on Kennedy's part! The Pope may not give Obama the "Pelosi treatment," but, well, we'll see.
I don’t think so ping.
Then they can go join Rev. Wright's church.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.