We already know that factions within various Christian institutions, including the Catholic Church, have called the Paul Ryan budget immoral – but now we have something new to shed some enlightened light on the current policy and “moral” positions taken by the Republican Party of the Obama age.
A newly elected Pope (and finally one who is Latin rather than just speaks it). Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires has become Pope Francis.
First, however, I can’t help but feel compelled to point out how “in wonder and awe” most of the media has been since the white smoke first spooked Jonathan Livingston (insert Google search there). I’ve already lost track of the number of headlines about the new Pope like “New Pope is a Champion for the Poor” and “New Pope Gives Hope to Women.” Shouldn’t we find such statements a wee bit on the odd-ordered side of the Psalms? You know, because of Jesus and all? One would hope that every pope has been a champion for the poor… even if they did wear red Prada shoes and jewels that make Anne Hathaway shudder from a bad flashback… shudder with every delicate step the red Prada shoes took to the limo, the private helicopters and jets, the mansions (summer, spring, winter, or intra-season residences), or any random hallway stacked with priceless art. The meek shall indeed inherit.
And so the gathering of powerful individuals was broadcast to the world. The sometimes mysterious organization controlled by eccentric white men with a strange sense of style (no, not the Republican Party, but I made that connection, too). These men of great influence all gathered together in Rome to change their immigration policy.
Change the policy on its face, anyway. Thus far when you dig into the policy it doesn’t look like it will change much (yes, very much like the Republican Party). If the Catholic Church were an analog of the Republican Party: they made Marc Rubio their spokesman in hope of recruiting more non-white members into the fold.
This is not a judgment on the Pope himself. I am in no way qualified nor in a position to even think about a person who has dedicated his life to worship and service. From what I’ve heard thus far, however, I actually like Francis. Any man who carries his own bag and rides on the bus with his subordinates instead of be escorted into a limo is OK in my book.
It is a dig at the organization and business of the Catholic Church, however. They have to get their numbers up, and the most growth is occurring in Latin America (again, compelled to remind that no, we’re not talking about the Republican Party and the 2014 mid-term elections… however, with these two groups it’s extremely difficult not to get the two confused… take away the proper name and the stories are basically the same).
At the end of the day and as the smoke clears… as of March, 2013 the Catholic Church has a more progressive immigration and outreach policy than the Republican Party does.
The Republican Party has Marco Rubio – a guy who speaks at CPAC and looks OK on camera, but he is clearly lacking leadership-like visions for America. Rubio just wants power and notoriety
The Catholic Church, on the other hand, just made a humble man from Argentina the most powerful man of organized religion in the world (whichever version of it you believe).
Republicans call anyone born below the southern borders of the United States “illegals.” The Catholic Church now calls one “His Holiness.”
Republicans wanted Marco Rubio to be their savoir, but they put him in a box. Even if he wanted to Rubio can’t do anything that would constitute real outreach given how his party has positioned him.
Let’s hope the Pope doesn’t get boxed into organizational branding as well.
