In Defense of Cardinal George | National Catholic Reporter

In Defense of Cardinal George | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The issue of gay immigration was settled by the Winchester case (which the good guys won).  For the coalition's sake, they should take this issue out.  Indeed, the immigration question is federal too and will be solved shortly unless the GOP proves really stupid (which has been known to happen as well). Still, the Cardinal's tactics are both disturbing and on the wrong side of the issue of gay marriage (which will be nationalized much sooner than anyone suspects - state by state).  Once gay marriage is nationalized, the families of gay couples will demand blessed marriages, which gay priests will quietly comply with - and may secretly marry on their own as well.  Church teaching is that it is not fecundity but ability that allows marriage - as well as that the couple marries themselves before God.  I can't see where the Cardinal's out dated ideas on sex will last for long - even within the Church - and THAT is what the Bishops fear most (not the civil marriage or even the employment issues - and their opposition is bigotry because they honor civil marriages of their employees even though they regard them as immoral).

Van Hollen: GOP Budget "Cruel" to the Poor | National Catholic Reporter

Van Hollen: GOP Budget "Cruel" to the Poor | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Paul Ryan already spoke and acted.  Luckily, his budget means nothing unless the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee agree to entitlement changes.  He is playing to the base and nothing more.  He is essentially fighting with Rand Paul to be the next Ron Paul.  It is a fools errand.  If libertarianism is to mean anything, it must coalesce with the Green/Socialist movement to find a way to provide a better life for the poor by using non-governmental means (like the Church and the Tax Code).

Pope Francis: Encountering the Mystery | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis: Encountering the Mystery | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The trip to the favela was covered on the BBC, as well as the 3 million person Mass (which is likely a record), as was the little impromptu chat - which has as much to do with ending marginalization as reaching to the poor.  Most people forget that the pelvic issues Paul brought up in his letters were about the immediate expectation of the Kingdom rather than an attempt to examine the rightness or wrongness of homosexuality - he counseled against all sexuality if possible.  That message was softened in the gospel.

The Church has been a leader on the economic message (much to the chagrin of Weigel and Chaput) for well over a century - and truly back to ancient times.  It should be humble enough to be a follower on pelvic issues.  We finally have a Pope which might have an open mind and is with the Christian Left on the economic side - and we appreciate his fellowship.

As for his roots, they don't run that deep.  He was born in Argentina, but his father is from Turin.  He is an Italian-Argentinian, so lets not take this global south thing too far. He is certainly not the child of native peasants from the pre-Columbian era.

What Breaks the Pope's Heart? | National Catholic Reporter

What Breaks the Pope's Heart? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Whether such acts are sinful will soon be seen in the context of the relationship in which they occur - as they should.  Just because gay sex gives straights the willies does not make it wrong.  Any kind of promiscuity is wrong.  Unitive sex in a marriage, whether gay or straight is a sign of love and is of God.  Driving a sports car is an act of selfishness - especially if you own it.  Renting one occasionally is not so bad.

Abortion in Va Gov's Race | National Catholic Reporter

Abortion in Va Gov's Race | National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winters.  MGB: Both of the major candidates are Catholic.  Under one, the number of abortions will increase - largely because benefits to the poor will decrease.  This same candidate rather illegally went after existing clinics through strong arming the state board of health.  This action will likely be reversed when the dust settles - so he has done nothing but attract attention to himself.  Pandering is not the same thing as standing up for life.  Making abortion unnecessary by increasing benefits for families - especially educational benefits for the less than fully literate in English is a much better route to decrease abortion.  Too bad the Virginia Catholic Conference is not wise enough to see it this way.  They seem to be wholly owned by the GOP - especially in my diocese.