Links for 01/29/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/29/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Francis always gives a good homily - its a main way priests are judged.  Good preachers become bishops.  Great preachers become cardinals, etc.  That, in essence, is why faith is not privatized - although in one sense, it must be - both in terms of the reality of the encounter with God and with conscience.



Congressman Ryan is spot on concerning what is wrong with the pro-life movement, although I am sure that getting the women's vote might have something to do with it as well.  Of course, the movement is lucky that Ryan did not come out and say that the movement was an electoral scam with no intention of ever accomplishing its mission.  That would be too bluntly truthful.



Millenium has an iteresting perspective on why the Church is involved with the causes it has been.  Of course, the Civil Rights movement, while the organizations exist, is happily no longer mobilizing like it did (except in Ferugson and sadly, not so much in DC).  The same will occur with Immigration.  Sadly, it is the pro-life movement itself that wishes to go on like it is - rather than win and go home. Indeed, if it was able to do all it said, women would be the ones we would be marching to protect.  Annointing Black and Latino priests was evidence of its solidarity.  What about with women?  Until the Gospel of Life comes from an ordained woman's voice, it is just noise.  Argue that point.



Leave it to Catholic Health and CCUSA to file a brief on the right side of the issue on subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.  Would that the Bishops joined them.  What would the kids at Millenium say about that?  Sadly, this shows why the way the Bishops deal with abortion is faux social justice - I am sure that some of the membership did not want to do anything on this issue that affiliateed themselves with Obama - since nothing is more important to the GOP and its allies than abortion than beating Obama on healthcare.



As for Germany and Greece, Harold gets it right but not far enough.  It should not be a nation to nation transaction - Europe should be one on taxation, debt and currency - or else it will not survive - nor should it. While Germany is reveling in national economic power, such power only exists if its fellow nations, especially in Europe, find its exercise mutually beneficial.  Clearly, Greek voters do not think it is.