More on the Pope's Recent Comments on Contraception

This commentator is alarmed.

Trump versus the Pope

Wsll of Vatican Museum

When I saw last night that Donald Trump has gotten into a feud with Pope Francis, my fist reaction was to think this must be from the Onion. I mean, as Charles Krauthammer asked, who is he going to tangle with next, God? Surely this time Trump has gone too far.

I was surprised at the erection among commentators, which has been almost universally that this will help, not hurt, Trump. I wonder if we are seeing the good old American anti-Catholicism here.

A few points that seem to be being missed:

!. Trump started it, not the Pope. Nobody seems to be reporting this. The pope was responding to prior accusations by Trump that he was being “political” and was a dupe of the Mexican government in holding a mass at the border. Press coverage makes it sound as if the pope was interfering in US politics.

2. The Pope did not say Trump was a bad Christian. You see this even in headlines, but Francis never said it. What he said was “I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that {that he wanted to build a wall across the border, but did not want to build bridges],” Francis said. “We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt.”

3. Trump's wall, he has emphasized, would include “a big beautiful door.” In other words, he is not guilty of wanting walls and no bridges. The pope's criticism does not, in fact, apply to him. This being so, he could have easily defused the controversy by simply pointing this out. Instead, he chaw to go to the mattresses against the head of the Catholic church.

4. Trump's fans have pointed out that there is a big wall around Vatican City. Which has the most restrictive immigration policy in the world. Hence, the Pope is supposedly a hypocrite. This is simply a pile o steaming crap. Has anyone reading this been to Vatican City? There is certainly no wall around it. There are not even any customs posts. There are no markers whatsoever. As a practical matter, it is impossible to know when you are in Italy or in the Vatican. Sure, there are walls around the Papal garden, There are walls in my apartment, too, This nexcessarily means that the Vatican cares nothing about, and has no protection against, illegal immigration, but it is just silly to think that illegal immigrants wouldd target the Vatican, where there is no work for them.

5. Trumps' response, that he was in fact a “very good Christian,” proves that he is not. A Good Christian would never make that claim.

Benedict's Burden

For anyone who doubts that Benedict XVI is resigning the papacy for health reasons, witness this recent picture.

Unlike John Paul II, Pope Benedict is an introvert. As a result, the official duties of the Papacy must have been a terrible strain for him. 

Thanks to The Anchoress for the link.

Pope Benedict Resigns--First Thoughts

My first reaction to Pope Benedict's resignation was to be very unhappy. I believe Benedict is probably the smartest man alive today, certainly the smartest in any position of prominence. It is a sign to the world that such a man is pope.

On the other hand, I deeply sympathize with his personal position. For a man who is so intelligent, the Papacy must have always been torture. Too much time taken away from thinking for mere administration. And the constant need to hold his tongue because of the PR requirements of the job.

This being so, it may not only be best for Benedict personally, but best for the world, if this mind and this voice is unleashed from the demands of the Papacy.

The first thing I hear now from non-Catholic colleagues is, "So I hear now there may be a black pope."

It's not going to happen. The press always says this. They said it after Paul VI died, they said it after JP I died, and they said it after JP II died. The press wants a black pope, because they see this as having the maximum news value. Bunch of racists.

The men selecting the new pope are old men, and old men are conservative by nature. They are in charge of a ship that has two thousand years of tradition. They are not interested in news value. They are most concerned with a steady, reliable hand at the helm.

In addition, the current cardinals were mostly chosen by the present pope. They will reflect his theological point of view. Moreover, with the present pope still around, they are not going to choose anyone else who will disagree with the current pope on any substantial matter. That would be inconsiderate, in the first place, and might cause scandal.

 They will no doubt choose an African if one best fits this description. I wouldn't give odds.

Telegraph Overrules Pope on Catholic Doctrine

Good news for longsuffering Canadians. Or what has to pass for good news in Canada. It turns out our own CTV is not the worst when it comes to misreporting the latest news from the Catholic Church. Here's what the subscribers to Britain's Telegraph woke up to read:

The Pope drops Catholic ban on condoms in historic shift

The Pope has signalled a historic shift in the position of the Roman Catholic Church by saying condoms can be morally justified.

Who knew? 

Certainly not the Pope.