OUR CHATTY POPE, FRANCIS, HAS CONTINUED, AS HE OFTEN DOES, TO OPINE ON A VARIETY OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, AND ACTUALLY, THROUGHOUT HIS PAPACY.
HE HAS, HOWEVER, BEEN DEPRESSINGLY SILENT ON ISSUES OF GREAT IMPORTANCE WHICH ONE WOULD EXPECT HIM TO KNOW MUCH ABOUT AND BE WITHIN HIS PRIMARY AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY AND EXPERTISE (OR “WHEELHOUSE”, AS HE WHO LOVES TO SOUND HIP, MIGHT SAY).
His Holiness has generously given us his views on “migration, and the ‘evils’ of borders. He has advised young people to “not waste TIME on the internet and smart phones”. On his first day, in Panama, Francis “blasted ‘fears and suspicions’ over “migration” and his disdain for “walls that divide people”. Almost in passing, he did make reference to the sex scandals which have recently plagued the Church.
Oddly, though, unless I missed it, up until just lately I hadn’t heard Il Papa say much about the Venezuelan crisis nor the ravages that socialism under the late Hugo Chavez and the current president, Nicholas Maduro has wrought on that desperate nation and its people.
Now Pope, where’s that grace face?
Nor have I heard the Holy Father express an opinion, much less an appropriate condemnation of the New York senate’s and the state’s “Catholic” governor’s (Cuomo) joyous approval of the new abortion law…ONE OF THE MOST EXTREME AND INHUMANE ANY STATE HAS IMPLEMENTED! (No protection for infants who survive abortion; abortion right up to virtually the moment of birth; no doctor required to perform abortion, etc.)
As far as Francis’s views on Venezuela, he did address the issue on Sunday during his return to the Vatican from his’ triumphant’ visit to Panama for the “Catholic World Youth” gathering..
His comments on the crisis in that beleaguered nation, however, could correctly be described as ‘laughable’ in view of the Pope’s history of eagerly speaking out about all manner of political matters in other countries, particularly the United States, as if he knows this country.
The Pontiff has made a practice of making thinly veiled criticism of US foreign and domestic policy, our capitalist system, and President Trump on a wide variety of topics.
But this Sunday, he told reporters that, while he is “terrified of a blood bath” in Venezuela, “HE DOESN’T WANT TO PICK SIDES IN THE POLITICAL STANDOFF BECAUSE “IT IS NOT HIS ROLE AS A PASTOR”!
An outspoken fan of socialism and Marxism, perhaps the “Pastor” doesn’t wish to have to acknowledge the distinction between that ideology, despite the suffering it has imposed on the people of that forlorn country and the relative freedom possible under capitalism.
He didn’t say if the Holy See would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido in his claim for the presidency over Socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
Oh, and I’ve not heard Pope Francis’ comments on New York’s abortion law…and the fecklessness of church discipline towards Catholic politicians there and elsewhere.
Guess we’ll see.
In the mean time: VIVA LA PAPA! DLH
I’m still baffled how we went from J.P. II to “Crazy Frank.”