I cannot see where affiliation with Catholicism would give anyone popular advantage. I doubt Jeb Bush would have a chance to be elected, not because of his surname, but because he's a convert to Catholicism. Pelosi, Kerry, The Kennedy's and their ilk are popular with liberals because of their rebellion. And while I agree that the Church should censure them, that censure will either be ineffectual, or earn them a false respect for their defiance.
If conservative, pro-life, pro-faith voters would unite on these issues, we could gain more influence in the elections. There is too much division over denominational issues, IMO, for us to be able to work together. The liberals have a focused agenda and don't quibble. How many liberals will not embrace this new law? They band together and support all the causes on their agenda, together as one cause and one group. Sadly, from my point of view, we who are more conservative are more focused on the candidate than the issues they support.
Oh yes, there is political/popular advantage. When Nancy Pelosi does ANYTHING publicly, you can bet she is doing it for just that kind of advantage.
She bragged about her audience with the Pope - and by so doing was able to polish her credentials with the faithful, while proving to her degenerate constituents that she could come through unbowed and unbloodied by the experience.
The Catholics make up a large democrat voting bloc, and the Church’s endorsement by silence of Kerry and Pelosi and the Kennedys give that bloc the comfort and assurance they need to continue voting D.
Censure is toothless - excommunication sends the proper message. In the above mentioned incident, the Pope should have been prepared to ask very pointed questions about Pelosi’s support for policy. Then immediately after the audience, made a public proclamation that she was excommunicated immediately for her heretical position on abortion and euthanasia etc.
There was a time when all denominations were less mice and more men. The gradual softening of positions of ultimate truth has brought us to this place.
When the Church does not emphatically admonish (and publicly admonish public sin), they relinquish their leadership role on moral matters. For this reason we have the mousy Church we have today - in all denominations, it seems.
Thanks for this insightful post.