Links for 09/30/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/30/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I am not sure Silk is correct in his analysis that the Pope's have never addressed politics.  Any affirmation of the unions or of social welfare seems to imply some kind of politics, and politics for people at that.  I liked how this Pope talked about campaign finance reform as something essential.  Whether he met with Kim Davis or not, it would been nice if he had met with Senator Sanders.  Of course, politics has its limits and Francis does not seem to realize how these work in the United States - where rights are not determined legislatively but are constitutionalized, with the rights the Church does not agree with existing beyond the political process.



Thanks to Dominguez and Durazo for highlighting why the Pope's comments are entirely relevant.



Woodcock Tentler offers an interesting contrast of the Catholic Church of the nineteenth century, where the imperial papacy still had its probably just reactions, to now where pluralism and freedom of thought, as least poliltically, is heralded - although in the Church discussions of voting for bishops, ordaining women and dealing with abortion in the U.S. with a more realistic constitutional understanding - but I suspect the Pope may know of these shortcomings.  Even if he isn't, how these issues play out will force he and the bishops to do so and they will find, though we cheer him as heartily as we cheer British royals, that the people in the pews will be the ones demanding a new mindset on these issues and attitudes.

The Pope's Visit: What it Means Beyond the Church | National Catholic Reporter

The Pope's Visit: What it Means Beyond the Church | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sadly, no effect is possible unless Francis were to speak of immigration in right to life terms and pressure the bishops to pressure the movement to take the issue on as a must pass.  Of course, after the ACA debacle by the USCCB, they can't be seen as having the juice to do anything.  Their romance with the GOP seems to be one-way.



On registering Latinos, I do not trust some of the bishops to not insist on Republican voting, as they mostly do in their pre-election sermons.  I would not even want them to register as pro-life Democrats, is the issue is still an electoral scam.  I would have them be social justice Democrats and trust that real economic justice will reduce the abortion far more than criminalizing doctors.



The 20 week issue should lead to anasthesia for the doomed fetus, but nothing more unless Congress wants to explicitly make all feti persons at 20 weeks.  Of course, that would probably be so much of a compromise to end the volatility of the issue, which the RTL movement would not want because it would kill their fundraising.  Its also why PR is going to be left hanging as if it were the Pope's own Argentina, because Congressmen like bankers more than Puerto Ricans, who don't have any voting members.



Congrats to Steve Schneck on joining the White House Staff.  This is the kind of appointment you make to get things done after you don't have an election to win. If Steve is going, could Michael be far behind?  If so, I want this column.



While it is fashionable to look for consensus solutions by calling out extremes and possibly seeking a moderate party, which we saw in the aborted attempts for a bipartisan ticked (worked so well for Lincoln-Johnson) in Unity*08 and Americans Elect (which I was a candidate in), the reality is that a different issue space that is essentially cooperative socialist or libertarian socialist is where the missing voters are hiding.  Also, the GOP seems determined to go down in flames in 2016 - and 2020 will not be kind to them either.  Its time to look for a new majority party. If it is more like Francis, that would be nice, but its not essential.



The problem for the Church being thwarted is not politics.  It's the constitutional rights paradigm that says certain issues should be out of politics unless there is an overwhelming reason not to.  Gay marriage, birth control and abortion were politically accomplished in most cases, as the right die will be mostly outside of politics.  While the Church would love an issue space to wield the political power of the Catholic vote on these issues, its not going to happen and the Church needs to face that part of American politics.  Maybe Steve and Barack can explain it to them using small words, although its not fact based, its about a different view of authority.  In America, by the way, the Church is wrong.  As far as crawling out of gridlock, fix redistrciting and the extremist GOP will scatter.



The Holy Father is right to seek peace, however the major dust ups in Palestine, Syria and Iraq are all civil wars and different rules exist.  Obama's desire to find non-ISIL forces to unset Assad was naive, al Queda fights better.  We either reverse course and let Putin prop up Assad or end up helping ISIL.  The Arab Spring was a shot in the dark by a Google millionaire who thought a Facebook revolution would find some silent majority. He was wrong for the moment and we are stuck with undoing the damage.  Let Putin have the thing.  If we do it quietly there will be no Soviet resurgence. We know too much about how bad their economy is to ever be sold on a cold war by our defense industry again, although a GOP President might try to sell that. The real moral compass decision is stability or no and letting defense spending go back to a less prominent place in the budget and economy. And don't let abortion be the reason to send us back into the morass of a cold war.

Links for 09/29/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/29/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I will keep saying until some debates my points (and after) that it is not individualism that is the problem - its luxury and the desire for power over others.  If you want the economic poltiical term, its capitalism.



On Bloomberg, Walker is out because he was an awful campaigner. The other gains came from workers beig convinced that the Union is right for them - but the success was through work, not public relations.



The link to Chicago magazine takes you to Bloomberg, but MSW spoke about it before.  It does not hurt that the Vatican supports trade unionism.  Yet another reason the Democratic Party has been both Catholic and pro-union - although dealing with teachers unions in the Church is the next essential step in defusing what is, at times, a tense relationship - particularly on the non-issue of abortion (issues must actually have some possible future action attached to them to be current).   Gone are the days when the sisters would almost volunteer time to teach - we now need to recruit competively, expect collective bargaining and protections and be willing to ignore outside political activity by the union, which would be changed with Catholic teachers on board.



The AFL-CIO review of the trip shows that it is the unions who wish less involvement with the Church.  Finding the money quotes by Lincoln, King, Day and Merton was wonderful, although Merton did not have a death bed, as he died in a tragic electocusion on a shower floor in Tokyo.



Happy Michaelmas to us all. Time to go get an angel food cake for desert.

The Pope's Visit: What It Means for the Church | National Catholic Reporter

The Pope's Visit: What It Means for the Church | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Those who started going to Mass again because of Francis have done so already.  The trip did not add to that.  Latino Catholics are excited about a Latino pope in the same way.  The fact he spoke Spanish so much, however, was great after more than a century of people trying to push English on them and being punitive if they did not.  Sadly, that current is still with us but this helped repudiate it.



As for the USCCB staff, the problem is that they are reliable Republicans in some positions and, yes, they should be chaged - except that some of the bishops who put them there are also reliable Republicans.  Until we elect bishops again, only Francis can change them out (or God).  I doubt the middle moved that much in the Conference and if Faithful Citizenship does not change, it will simply be ignored again. Worse, the Democratic Candidate may go on full frontal assault on the movement and the bishops about this issue.  Now that would be refreshing.  Of course, if abortion is not seen as issue in play, there is no place in the GOP for Catholics.  Those who remain should be anathemized (not really, but its an interesting thought) for not supporting real change to reduce abortions, which would be making it easier to not only get through the pregnancy but see it through until high school and college graduation.  THAT would be a Francis effect.



The excitement of the people should excite the rank and file clergy, which is always good.  Best to have a volunteer Sunday, ahora! (now rather than soon).  Of course, letting them marry would do wonders for morale, and on this there might be hope.  It would be great if one of the bishops at the Synod said that allowing married priests would revitalize his clergy, speaking of families.  Family life is basic, for traditional families, for gays and lesbians and for priests.  Its time we recognize that.



Francis shows the holiness of living simply, however consumerism for some is a sign that pay is at least adequate.  For many it is not - so much so that it hurts the bottom line of some companies.  The problem is not consumption, it's luxury.  That does not come from being in the working class, it is an upper middle class issue and it bespeaks an even greater moral problem - the desire to have your children avoid pain and upset whatever the cost.  That sounds noble, but it turns them into bad human beings and not very good Catholics - from getting divorced to staying home on Sunday (although the working class stays home because it is too tired to get dressed up yet another day of the week).

Links for 09/28/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/28/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Good for Roberts getting on C-SPAN.  When are you going on?  You are a bit more qualified to talk the politics.



Henneberger is right that the right wing should adopt a more Dorothy Day attitude.  Their voters might even like it, but their donors would not.



Weigel is half right, the Church is moving where the Pope wants it to be.  Of course, two of his host bishops would have to move on for that to really be true.  He seemed bland enough in his contributions to not make himself the story, which I find amazing.



Ahern is correct, as well as the observation that the Pope was less than pleased with having the plutocrats in a position of honor.  Let us hope Dolan is not so totally tone deaf that he does notice the coverage noting this - assuming Francis did not chew him out after the Mass.



When Coulter tweets, I don't read - but I hope any Catholic fans she has do so and consider carefully who they listen to.



I am not even reading the Acton post.  Those people are looney.  I hope their local bishop takes them apart, although they probably picked a right-wing diocese to operate in.  Crazy but not stupid.  I also wish that you would highlight some of what your commentariet says, especially if we cross post to our own blogs.  Its easy to counter the crazies.  Give my arguments a whirl.  Truth does not depend on either credentials or funding.

Pope Francis' Visit: Wrap-Up, Part I | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis' Visit: Wrap-Up, Part I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I will follow MSW's list with my resposes to each number:



First: Francis use of a loving God as a guide to basic orientation is a good start.  That lens, however, must be used to analyze whether the current moral teaching is actually from God or from moral fear of God the Ogre.  This includes the hard cases like assisted suicide, late term abortion when the fetus will never survive to birth, gay marriage (which to me is not a hard call on changing doctrine) or masturbation (which some old fashioned Catholics still regard as always a mortal sin).



Second: It was nice that both Washington local news, the nightly broadcasts and cable news, at least for a while, left the Donald alone - and Boehner.  By Saturday, Anthony Bordain and the Prison shows were back on the other two cable channels.  I am sure EWTN kept it going, but I would never watch their commentary on this except to watch their confusion as to what the Pope said. I also note that George Weigel behaved himself, so anything is possible.



Third: I hope that Obama drastically slows down deportations and also declares amnesty on drug offenes so that they cannot be used in deportation proceedings.  The idea that legislation will pass is fairly dead.



Fourth: I can't wait for the day 2 cultural warrior discussion.  Let me just point out that when people speak with condemnation on the morality of the other, they are speaking from pride and fear - and not for God.



Fifth: I hope someone can get Francis to realize that the religious liberty of Church employees is as important or more important than that of the Church at-large when dealing with the employees.  I think the Court will ultimately agree with that, absent ministry decisions.  The American bishops want religious power - both in the public square and over their workers.  The establishment clause means we can't give it to them, nor should we.  I like the way the Pope seems to not give any footing for intolerant cake bakers or county clerks.



Sixth: Francis was right to honor the Sisters and Nuns, however this is too little too late. The culture in the pews is chaning faster on women priests and bishops (there abbesses who would be great) than on gays - and the shift on gays is huge.  The question is not if, it's when and how.  Here is a hint, the Anglicans did it and, while that d rove some of their faithful to the Ordinates, it won't last long .  Of course, reunion with Canterbury would essentially accept the new status quo.



Seventh:I wonder if the Tea Party Catholic members will heed the words of the Pope, particularly Paul Ryan, who is in charge of those programs.  The Pope was certainly clear about dysfunction not being good.  Boehner took it to heart so much he resigned, presumably to ram through a few centrist things before he goes.  As far as abortion, even a congressional action moving citizenship under the 14th amendment to the begining of the second trimester would fail, largely because the GOP would not want to see this issue settled or even see progress - it would kill their captive Pro-Life base.



Eighth:As I wrote yesterday, what he said about marriage was interesting, although I don't think it is crass consumerism that has marriage fail but an attitude by the families of the bride and groom that a marriage with big problems should be ended so that the more innocent spouse is spared the pain of going on.  I'm not talking about violence but instead economic uncertainty, illness, especially mental illness, in the spouse and even cheating.  This puts transient moods over duty and that is a shame.  In-laws should want their children to be morally excellent, because ultimately that will make them happy.



What the Pope did not say is significant and I bet the right-wingers are stewing in their juices over it.

Pope Francis' Closing Homily | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis' Closing Homily | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Francis finally hit the man-woman theme, although I have to say, gay couples have the same miracles of love, and sometimes even greater due to the challenges they face from society.  That marriage is between two people with the priest as a witness applies as much to gays as people receiving the sacrament in Church.  That functionality rather than fecundity is equal for both arrangements should not be lost on anyone.  The problem is, people are afraid of gay sex and think God the Ogre will punish them for accepting it, even though being gay is a product of epigenesis, not of choice, while sex is one of those little miracles that is a gift from God.  The aversion straights is simply part of being straight - but with God's help, we can get beyond the bigotry and see Him working through gay couples.



It is good that the Synod will discuss the new changes making the process easier, but those are essentially done.  What happens next at the Synod is everyone's guess.  Probably nothing on gays, but that will come soon enough as Catholic families demand it (and gay priests provide it).  The Church will change, the final outcome is not in doubt.  It actually always, sometimes for the good, sometimes not (for example, the informer networks of St. Pius X and silly condemnation on modernism - which always wins, by the way, because it is open for truth and the moving of the Spirit).

Pope Francis at the Prison | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at the Prison | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Those who want to be tough on crime and keep certain people from voting have so far ruled the day on incarceration - and that was before we had prisons for profit.  The good news is, Catholic Charities is sometimes involved in offering rehabilitative services.  The bad news is that we have not had Catholic Health Association members bid on operating the low security prisons for non-violent drug offenders and offenders who are mentally ill.  It is our sin of omission that this has not happened - and believe me, I have been urging it happen very directly for some time (an advantage to being married at the time to the former Catholic Charities Director of Membership).  The need is still dire.  Indeed, I see no reason that any prison not be turned over to the Church sector, as long as they use modern standards of security where appropriate.  Even the very violent can be reached with medication and therapy - although I would suggest euthanasia for those who can't for the protection of society - not for punishment.  It is about about time we take some action, even if euthanasia is taken off the table for now.  The current situation is a scandal and that we as Church can correct it and are not is an even greater scandal.

Pope Francis' Comments on Clergy Sex Abuse | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis' Comments on Clergy Sex Abuse | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: When the Church fires it lawyers who for years covered these crimes up, with the victims getting a shot at having them disbarred for covering felonies up with hush money, then there is change.  When Vatican City State quits hiding behind its sovereignty in attaching some of the horribly culturally incorrect artwork (Mary was not a northern Italian) to satisfy judgments, rather than selling off church property at the parish level, then ther is change.  While the well wishes are good by Francis and the termination of convicted bishops necessary, remember that their crimes occurred decades ago and were covered up.  It is a credit that there is no flood of new claims - so that part has been taken care of - but there are still bad actors to be unmasked.  If Benedict wants a poor Church, the art in the non-public corridors is a good place to start.

Francis' Address to Bishops at World Meeting of Families | National Catholic Reporter

Francis' Address to Bishops at World Meeting of Families | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: As one who is in the middle of ending a marriage, I can testify to the truth of the Pope's words.  It is likely the parents who provide ecouragement to the children they love and want to see happy - but happiness is not the absence of pain but the satisfaction of working through it.  The rise of the destructable marriage is not a product of the current generation - it came about with last one - the one right after the Greatest Generation which had been deprived young but saw plenty and knew the difference (unlike the modern day American middle class).  Because everything is never perfect all the time, indeed, with the recent economy and slow recovery (where wages have not caught up), there is more pressure on families then ever and less resources for family members in trouble - due to low taxes by you know who.



Can a pastoral situation work?  It depends.  Are our pastors up to it?  This would seem like a good time to have married priests to provide more direct and experiential counseling.  That kind of thing works with alcoholism (even for priests) - it should work for troubled marriages.  Of course, the pastoral situation is not enough - Francis' beautiful words aside - economic justice turns out to be the best thing for marriages (as well as the Gospel of Life).  It's all related.

Francis at Independence Hall | National Catholic Reporter

Francis at Independence Hall | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Of late, when the bishops speak of religious liberty  they really mean religious privilege and religious power.  It is good when religious leaders speak in the public square about matters that are in the public square - i.e., matters for legislation. Once they have been trasferred to the realm of individual rights, most poignantly privacy (although there is a speech right to attack religion which was not upheld when Lennie Bruce needed it most), there the matter is out of the public square.  The first of these was birth control.



Abortion could be in the public square if the pro-life movement quit trying to repeal Roe, accepted it is as law and worked on using the 14th Amendment to regulate when someone is a person. Of course, they can only go so far before they bump up against reality.  If you recognize the legal rights of first trimester aborted embryos their cohort mates that died in miscarriage would also receive the same panoply of rights, both tort and criminal - and that would be a disaster.  Anyone comes to my house asking about a family miscarriage would likely provoke assault against the officer. The truth is, any federal legislation that could pass would likely look like Roe v. Wade in its effect, which is why the movement does not put in a bill.



Gay marriage is out of the public square.  Now the battle shifts to within the Church, where it deserves to be.  Expect a lit disunity as families of gay marrieds start insisting on a Church blessing (and expect some gay priests to give it - or worse, seek marriage themselves and leave the priesthood like many straights did after Vatican II).



Sadly, I doubt anyone briefed Franics on these matters using these facts.  Maybe Obama did, he taught Con Law.  The Bishops, however - and MSW, seem blissfully ignorant about what is and is not an issue.



Immigration is an issue and the optics were great. Sadly, unless the pro-life folks are convinced to turn immigration into a scored Life issue as far as voting on the bill is concerned, nothing will happen this Congress.  Pity that.  I doubt the USCCB has that much juice, which was their problem with Obamacare too.  They need to get out of any coalition that expects loyalty to flow only one way - to the GOP.  Making sure they do would be a good thing for the Pope's agenda, except that anyone who would brief him on this is probably compromised. More's the pity.



As a side note, I listed to one or two of the speeches by couples.  They seem to have been sticking to the kind of topics that bishops like.  Not too many dissenting voices, in fact, not any.  Chaput's hand in this is clear.  It's not dialogue if its scripted or even "reliable."  It's only propoganda not fit for adult minds.

Pope Francis at Philly Cathedral: Break Down These Walls! | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at Philly Cathedral: Break Down These Walls! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: A very subtle slap at Chaput, however he did not say anything about women beyond recognizing their contribution in their current roles.  I do not think Francis wants them to think too far outside the box - and even if he does, the bishops of the United States will not.  (Nore will they go too far in insisting that their benefactors pay higher taxes for more social services). They will likely say that there was nothing new here and that is a shame.  It reminds me of what Abraham said to the rich man about sending Lazarus back from the grave to warn his brothers - that if Moses and the prophets are not enough, not even one coming back from the dead will move them.  Jesus, of course, was speaking of himself and the same can be said about papal visits.  Francis will have to back up his words with actions on personnel - even if those not moved are faking it, they will at least act right.

Pope Francis at Madison Square Garden | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at Madison Square Garden | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: While the Mass is the penultimate act of the Catholic Church, it is nothing if not a spur to action in the larger world, not to Christianize it, but to care for it in the most basic ways. That has been Francis' message on this journey (and all of his journeys), but this time he put in the Homily.  New York is a city of great grandeur, as the Mass showed, but it is also as the Pope describes it - which demands service, not piety.

Pope Francis at Ground Zero | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at Ground Zero | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: It took Francis to come to New York, remark on the sadness and leave us with Peace.  No chants of USA, USA, no call for righteous crusade or to take the battle to them so they don't bring it here (always a lie), but Peace. I suspect it is what the survivors needed most to hear.

Pope Francis at the UN | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at the UN | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Pope essentially attacked international capitalism and its cousin, imposed austerity.  Indeed, sometimes no aid is probably better than aid that makes corrupt officials rich and imposes austerity on the people.  That is why the new Rwanda will have nothing of foreign aid.  Historically, food aid is even worse, as it is timed to lower prices just as the harvest comes in.  It may be time for another method of development, say conversion of multi-national corporations to employee employee ownership and extending the program to all suppliers and overseas subsidiaries.  That is libertarian without being capitalism, which again, is the real enemy.

Pope Francis at St. Patrick's | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at St. Patrick's | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The cross metaphor has always had a double meaning - to carry a cross beam to build a church and to accept the suffering of the cross - which was as much an emotional trial as physical torture ending with the call to God in abandonment.  Once one really gets that concept, the worldly things are not important. Worldly things like preserving property when the victims of abuse must be paid or covering up abuse to guard the reputation of the Church (that one backfired).



If women had been in charge, there may not have been a cover up like this one - at least they would not have let the lawyers play hardball.  Maybe its the sisters who should be in charge of investigating child abuse claims, with the authority to make it matter.



As for the peace of the Pope and most of his bishops, they give the greating Peace be with you when priests say The Lord be with you.  We know what happens from scripture when one wishes peace on another.

Pope Francis at Catholic Charities | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at Catholic Charities | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: What he says about there being no reason for not enough housing, he is correct.  There is only human error in the way - politicians who are afraid to raise taxes, NIMBY neighbors who don't want a group home next door, builders who will only use the finest materials and the newest designs, pricing moderately incomed people out of the housing market.  I could go on and I hope some one else does too.  Maybe Catholic Charities will take the hint and raise some money for more housing - much more - both as a section 8 landlord when no one else will and as an advocate for more section 8 money.  Lets see if they internalize what was said in their own house as applying not just to the politicians but the them.

Pope Francis' Address to Congress | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis' Address to Congress | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: There is some question as to whether some politicians really want to be close God. Closeness to God means radical change. It would mean doing something on warming, giving money to those who need it (without a work requirement) and of course, housing and immigration. Sadly, the parties are so arrayed that nothing will get done, even if the method reflects GOP priorities.

Francis Canonizes St. Junipero Serra | National Catholic Reporter

Francis Canonizes St. Junipero Serra | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The proclamation of the Kingdom of God is not, to borrow from the Pope's words, anachronistic.  Not just the call to conversion but the call for justice for the poor, for those possessed - not by demons but by mental illness, the prisoner, the sick and especially the migrant and the indigenous (including in Palestine).  These are all still proclaimed in the both the Gospel and the words of Francis.  Let those who have ears, hear.

Pope to US Bishops: Be Pastors, Not Culture Warriors | National Catholic Reporter

Pope to US Bishops: Be Pastors, Not Culture Warriors | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Pope seems to have been both very gentle and very firm - follow the Dallas norms (and if you have not been, you are expected to) and get out of bed with the Republican Party and into bed with the immigrants.  The yoke is easy, burden light, is not just for priests.  It is for all people describing what Christian morality should be (which could be a hint about things to come concerning gay marriage and the unbearable yokes the bishops would put on gay people regarding their sexuality).  He is not hitting back at anyone so much as saying how things must be.  If any bishop feels put upon, it is their conscience bothering them.  Of course, no one is without sin.  If all is dialogue, than female ordination must now be discussed, both for its own sake and for what it would do for the proclamation of the Gospel of Life to have a female priest doing the proclaiming.

Pope Francis at the White House | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis at the White House | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: It is the Pope who said that every speech does not have to be about abortion and this one obviously was not.  Those Catholics who have been supporting Donald Trump should take pause from the Pope'r remarks - as well as those who are selling out their children to support the Koch brothers position on climate change.  The Holy Father just said "shame on you" in no uncertain terms.

'If it is Necessary for me to recite the Creed, I can!' | National Catholic Reporter

'If it is Necessary for me to recite the Creed, I can!' | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Very careful words.   He claimed Catholicism but did not disavow liberalism or even liberation theology (I think everyone knows he is a Communist, which is the point he was making).  The left still claims him for our own.

Pope Francis ' Arrival Ceremony | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis ' Arrival Ceremony | National Catholic Reporter by MnSW. MGB: Techically, this was a presidential greeting.  The official arrival ceremony is tommorow at 1600.  The nicest greeting was the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th graders after the dignitaries.  Let the little children come.

Links for 09/22/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/22/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: It is no surprise that Cardinal Dolan would jump in on this compromise. I wonder if those to his right will jump in with him.  Paid family leave likely has more of an impact, mostly on those who would never consider an abortion unless something was wrong with the pregnancy, than a 20 week ban. Of course, the 20 week pain reaction shows the need to give pain management to the unborn to be aborted rather than banning the abortion - which can only constitutionally be done by recognizing them as legal citizens under the Congress' 14th Amendment enforcement powers - a formula that forecloses other abortion ban options.  Pain management will make parents think before they act.  Also important would be to ban all but induction abortions during the second trimester and to have Catholic hospitals join in performing them (to baptize the born child - which has no real chance of survival at that stage.  Again, this would also discourage the procedure unless it was medically essential (and sometimes it is).



I suspect that the HIV drug controversy is a ploy to harvest insurace money from public and private sources.  If it is meant to drive the uninsured poor out of care, then that is unacceptable.  It is certainly unacceptable in the international markets.  This drug is so old it should be generic.  I suspect that once the new owner realizes he is pricing himself out of a competive market, he will quietly drop this ploy.



It is good to see the Pope's defenders are hard at work against the right wingers and their hyperbole.  Hopefully they will take up these issues when it is just Obama behind them.



I doubt free market Catholics go to Mass week in and week out.  They likely watch the TV talk shows instead,  as do many liberal activists.  Bravo to the Pope for scheduling this visit around the most useful of readings, as this Pope preaches the Scriptures - as all other priests should.

Francis Arrives! | National Catholic Reporter

Francis Arrives! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This is my body...This is my blood is the most important thing he will say, along with The Body of Christ, to which St. Augustine used to add "which you are."  This turns the Eucharist from idolatry to a Sacrament of unity with God and each other.  It is in that unity that the issues come up, from warming to a living wage for families as the possible keystone of the Gospel of Life.

Links for 09/21/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/21/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Bravo to Cardinal Wuerl in his defense of the Pope and his visit, as if we expected otherwise.  I suspect that the Obama White House guest list was negotiated and if the Pope had had any objections, they would have been taken into account.  The Holy Father is no country bumpkin but a master of statecraft.  The Pope who said who am I to judge would not be scandalized by a few gay activists, so they and Elizabeth Scalia should have no fear.  Francis has no fear of the critics identified by Politico or MSW, as he and Obama have sanity on their side, on both economics and warming.

Why Do You Harden Your Hearts? | National Catholic Reporter

Why Do You Harden Your Hearts? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The attacks on the Pope are so strange,it is almost as if the Kochs were trying to set up strawmen.  Sadly, this is not the case. Heartland, Acton and Will really are that stupid. One hopes that the majority of Republican Catholics are more loyal to the Pope than to party.  It looks like the Kochs are betting otherwise.  While it is a legitimate position to say that a new industrial age makes people better off than their current life as peasant farmers, there is no iron law of the market that says that these new industrial workers have to be treated badly - which seems to be the rule in China, India and environs.  Every incident of bad treatment and every collapsed factory shows that Abp. Kupich is right about the need for expanding labor unions.  As for wanting Humanae Vitae looked at again - the science is pretty clear that it is wrong.  Defending HV is like denying climate change from that perspective and supporting women priests is both inward and outward looking.  It would increase conversions among the modern faithful and provide for a better voice to preach the Gospel of Life.

Links for 09/18/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/18/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Clark is half right.  That the GOP is aligned with the Church is always an illusion. That some members of the hierarchy are aligned with the GOP, primarily due to a misunderstanding of what the legality of abortion means is a sad fact that Francis is not intent on overturning (as he shares some of the same misunderstandings).



While Daily Kos likes to keep a Democratic finger on the scale, it is the most realistic in a lot of ways and their congressionnal forecast is good news for the country, not so much for the bishops who are in bed with the GOP.



Silk's coverage of Barron means someone mentioned him, although the acerbic tone on those one is trying to re-evangelize is not helpful for either evangelization or public policy.  Indeed, right to die legislation and the inevitable Court action will be based not on counting Catholic noses (as the SCOTUS Catholics won't be voting on religious grounds - and they are the majority) but on the concept of individual rights and the rule of law.  Why is it so hard for Catholic Bishops and the Catholic media to understand such things?  And to see how limiting the power of the government, even a Catholic government, is not a good thing.  A government that can keep you alive can also kill you.  As for the Nones, most of them got that way because of, not despite, the Catholic clergy.  A bit more contrition is in order here.



Neil Steinberg frames Bishop Cupich in solidarity with state public employees as an extension of Leo XIII, wihch it is.  He also implies, quite correctly, that there have been gaps.  See my previous coments on how teachers unions are treated and the possiblilities of real solidarity.

Cupich: 'A Consistent Ethic of Solidarity' | National Catholic Reporter

Cupich: 'A Consistent Ethic of Solidarity' | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: What unions do for workers is, pure and simple, pro-life for it allows members the income to have families to the children God gives them, with the tax system adding a litte (and it should be a lot) of asstance.  I wonder how many of the strongest pro-life (Republican) bishops will acknowledge that and force so-called pro-life legislators to do so as well?



I like the mention of public sector unions.  Public sector contract employees who work in a governmetal capacity should also get union protection - not so much for wages but for due process rights.  Public employees outside union still have rights to appeal, contractors are out the door.



Continuing relationship is good on these soldiarity questions.  Indeed, it should include teachers unions representing Catholic School teachers having the ability to continue to oppose abortion restrictions, especially things like Trap Laws (which are unconstitutional anyway) while still remaining in solidarity with the Church on labor, even if the union is fighting the arbitary firing of a teacher by the Pastor. (in other words, is this for real, or just a speech?)



If solidarity really means changing workers to stakeholders, then I have some positions for the archbishop and my fellow readers to consider on both buying out and controlling commercial activities.  For the Catholic Schools, parents would still have a significant voice, if not the majority, but the teachers would be incuded too.  How much different work and church would both be if more democratic structures were adopted and the current medievalism were thrown on the ash heap of history.  I wonder how much democracy Cupich and the Holy Father are willing to stand?  (and what if that it includes female priests?)

Links for 09/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OMF, has what is probably "the" curtain raiser for the Pope's trip, as he is also a member of the Gang of 9 (including Francis), else I would expect Francis to keep with de-emphasizing abortion as a lead issue. I hope he links abortion and family poverty in a way that makes the GOP squirm.



Henneberger's piece is mainly on Hillary, it seems, with a bit on Joe Biden.  Huckabee was left out, even though he was a pastor.  It is noteworthy that Trump and Sanders are or seem secular and they are the current leaders.  The takeaway line on use of "I" by Trump penned by E.J. is priceless. I am glad he is willing to call Bernie the front runner.  His piece shows how the establishment Democratic press and pols will fall in line should Sanders keep moving like he is.

The Reagan Library Debate: Who Won and Who Lost | National Catholic Reporter

The Reagan Library Debate: Who Won and Who Lost | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I won't disagree execpt to say that the Solicitor General is a politically pointed, though not elective office and Roberts, Kagen, Thomas, and Alito have all been appointees in some agency.  The Trump show continues, but that only gets him to Iowa, if he survives debate season.  Bush will survive too and don't count out Huck for his pre-organized base.

Links for 09/16/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/16/15 | National Catholic Reporter MSW goes YouTube on us.

Tonight's GOP Debate at the Reagan Library | National Catholic Reporter

Tonight's GOP Debate at the Reagan Library | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I made the mistake of cult-watching the GOP debates four years ago.  Totally wasted time that won't be repeated, if only because my cable is still off from moving in.  I am begining to wonder about MSW, fixating on GOP debates and right wing Catholic blogs.  There is a bigger world out there that is not crazy or corrupt.

Links for 09/15/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/15/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Amy Sullivan has an interesting column, but more interesting will be getting a copy of Gary Wills' book Why Priests?  Gary's studies have made him almost Protestant in his understanding of scripture.  Maybe that is a good thing.  I suspect that Steve was more of a foil for Gary than he wished, or maybe he planned it that way.

Camosy is correct on the paid family leave provisions, but there should also be an expanded child tax credit attached, say at least $500 per child per month.  As for the GOP being the pro-life party, they have always been the pro-life opportunism party.  They know the 20 week ban won't pass and they won't fight for it.  Its all for show.  If you really want to make people think, require 20 week abortions to include fetal pain relief.  It would have more of an impact - on e baby at a time.

Iowa Evangelicals hold no overt racial animus, unlike some southern Republican voters, however my bet for both camps is still Mike Huckabee.

More Winds of Change from Rome | National Catholic Reporter

More Winds of Change from Rome | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I like the appointments, but I still believe both pastor (overseer) and bishop should be elective offices, even if the USCCB would send more conservative bishops. Oh, and the auditor should have a vote.

Links for 09/14/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/14/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The right to die issue is a strong symbol for both sides, much like the abortion issue was for feminists. In either case, mercy killings and patient suicides will continue.  The question here is whether it should be a criminal offense or not?  The Archbishop mentions the poor, but the poor are covered by Medicaid and can linger as long as they wish. This is a middle class fight for the educated, oddly with one side not too far away from insisting it is only God's right to take life (God the Ogre) or that there is no God to worry about. Those many who are believers but whom the suffering is too much are caught in the middle and the fear by the Church is that the government sanction will enable them to decide on mercy, as I am sure there are those who would say that God would not too much mind them ending their suffering.  Indeed, without God the Ogre, that is probably the rational conclusion.



Scott Walker dissing unions is not news.  He does not seem to care much about Catholic teaching on the subject, although I am sure the bishops love him on abortion and gay marriage.  He is still second tier, however.  The Catholic union candidate is still the secular Jew from Vermont.



I never look at videos in German unless its on a funny commercial show.  Still, bravo to the folks back home for taking in refugees. Now if they would only shake loose a few Luftwaffe squadrons to go after ISIL (if they already haven't).

Abortion & the Libertarianism of the Left | National Catholic Reporter

Abortion & the Libertarianism of the Left | National Catholic Reporter by There are two types of libertarianism at play here on abortion, the most important of which was not addressed.  That one, of course, is that criminal solutions to the moral problem of abortion simply don't work (like the laws on prostitution, alcohol prohibition and any naescent ban on smoking).  Strictly speaking, that is the only attitude one must have for a libertarian POV on abortion - it is the essence of being pro-choice.  To be morally libertarian on the issue is being pro-abortion and that is a sin - and most Catholics are not that.  As to the patriarchy, it is not a justification for the Church being silent on abortion - however the Church would have much more street cred on the issue if if came from the mouths of female deacons, priests and bishops.

Links for 09/11/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/11/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Fr.Kelly hits all the right notes, save one, missing employee-ownership as a next step to solidarity.  Burke likely hits all the wrong ones (I won't view the idiot) and submit that that he and his ilk are responsible for what is wrong in the Church.  I love that Rolling Stone lays it out there in ways other media will not. I hope that once here, Francis makes the cover, as the song goes.  Another 9-11 passes, hopefully without incident launched from ISIS or AQAP. Still, when mentioning the reaction of organized Palestinians that day, one must examine why they reacted to such horror with glee?  As for the Wahabi's as a whole, maybe the problem is to our sexual freedom as the right wingers coldly interjected after the attack, but our lack of efforts toward spreading freedom, even license, in the Arab world.

Review: Politics, Justice, and War, Part III | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Politics, Justice, and War, Part III | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The requirement of love in war is an intersting one, as well as abandoning R2P.  That was done exactly once, when Comrade Lenin pulled out of World War I.  The remaining allies ended the war as well and went after Lenin. Presumably they had no love for the Soviets.  The economic warfare of much of the 20th century, and the Iraq war, show no love for those nations who are attacked - who often refuse to export their resources to the first world market as the cause of war.  It would be interesting to see what the spanish speaking sources have to say about that - from the Philipines to Cuba.  Embargos are war, by the way. Of course, going back to my earlier comments on all citizens in the democracy taking the place of the sovereign, it is amazing what we  as beneficiaries of the Pax Americana will have to  pay for our free consumption of the world's goods, backed up, of course, by our armed forces. I think we have left the theoretical here.  I believe the Holy Father recently mentioned something like this in Laudato Si'.

Links for 09/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The fact is, the senior official is probably Bibi and this analsysis obscures the reality that imposing sanctions on someone makes stability and peace impossible.  We had to get out of sanctions and the deal does it.  No sane and honest individual ever thought Iran would try to nuke Israel.  It would kill too many Muslims (although the mountains would save Iran from the fallout).



Martyrdom is witness.  Sadly, Davis is a witness to bigotry, not Christ.  Modernist interpretations of the indisoluabilty of marriage favor adding gays and lesbians to the mix, especially the abhorrent past conduct of religious hospitals who exiled gay spouses at the request of families of origin - exactly the opposite of what Christ says about marriage. Give up that defending the hierarcy is defending Christ on this issue. It is not.



Structural impediment to organizing include underfunding and contra-staffing Labor and the NLRB (meaning putting anti-union people into enforcement jobs that are supposed to protect union rights).  Obama is finally getting to the point where we have overcome this, but another Democratic term is needed.  Another Bush or a Trump would be a nightmare for workers.  And right to work laws need to go as well.

Review: Politics, Justice and War, Part II | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Politics, Justice and War, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: ISIS, though nihilist, is not without state connection.  Let no one deny that the Saudi kingdom is bankrolling them and should be held responsible for the consequences. This leaves the Saudis with no room to object to any action taken to suppress this movement. Indeed, it leaves them open to the payment of reparations or the facing of consequences.



The old saw is that war is diplomacy by other means - or the opposite that war is diplomacy by other means.  Of course, modern technology and assymetrical warfare throw a monkey wrench into those equations.  Just war does legitimate war, which is OK unless you are a non-combatant caught in the crossfire.  Still, better a war with rules than one without them.  It should also recognize the economic interests of war.  Even if they are not explicit, everyone knows when they are the real cause of the conflict.  Marx,then, may be a better source to explain and justify warfare than Augustine.  Augustine had stable Pax Romana and its economy.  Marx is more apropos for today.  Of course, when you use a Marxian framework, there is no promise that God will pick the winner and it will be just.  Whether freedom and democracy or socialism always win is conditioned on your point of view, however nothing matches superior firepower - which our Lord talked about when nations fight and one who is outmatched sues for peace. Not doing so, by the way, is foolish and its what got Saddam and Muamar killed.  The international order appears to be raw force, usually American force when fully committed,or at least adequately committed.  How legitimate the Pax Americana is should be the question of the hour on the justness of war.

Links for 09//9/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09//9/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Oddly enough, it will be the bathroom provisions that will excite the most controversey.  Some people need to just grow up.  No one cares about your junk.



Labor needs to stay more relevant, mostly by jumping into employee ownership on an international basis with both feet.  This will allow them to manage outsourceing to the greatest benefit to the most workers, as well as making sure workers get the benefits of automation, not the CEO class.



Burke is likely a future anti-pope, Peter the Roman, who will die at the hands of a soldier who thinks he is looting (see the Third Fatima Secret and St. Malachy).  Francis will have already merged with the Orthodox and recognized New Rome as the Petrine See, which is why Burke will be the last and most reactionary pope.

Review: Politics, Justice, and War | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Politics, Justice, and War | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: War is as much about economics and imbalances in economic power as it is about politics. In democracies, as in the question of capital punishment, all citizens fill the role of policy maker who decide on the justice of war.  If we were truly a Christian nation, our economics would make war obsolete. Remember this, however, the perspective should still be that of the king - whose obligation is the political and economic safety of the realm. That does not change when all are king and should  be the first principle of any such analysis.

Links for 09/08/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/08/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: While it would be nice if the Pope energized labor, I would like to see him energize the bishops on labor issues!



The New Yorker article is a long read and seems to be as acurate at the cardinals sourcing it.



Matson does not want a middle ground on abortion.  She wants the Pope to submit.  Of course she and the Pope would agree that many women have no choice on having an abortion - the question is, what to do with that information. Can one sin if one has no option?  It  is a interesting moral question.  Francis needs to lead the Church in proposing better options, not in accepting the inevitability of abortion.  Still, Matson gets it right on female priests adding to the legitimacy of the pro-life movement.



Father Kartje is an interesting counterpoint to Matson.

Hungary & Kentucky: Christian Identity & Conscience | National Catholic Reporter

Hungary & Kentucky: Christian Identity & Conscience | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Prime Minister of Hungary is a barbarian and it seems his people are for supporting him.  Razor wire and box cars - he should be on trial at the Hague.  As for Mrs. Davis, an attempt to impose her moral beliefs on those coming before her on official business is an attempt to establish the religion of her liking.  That is tyranny worthy of a cell, which she can get out of at any time by resigning her office - which is the preferred method for government officials to take to register serious moral objections.

Links for 09/04/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/04/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB:  Ms. Davis is attempting to impose religious power, kind of like some members of the USCCB and a certain current Grand Master of the Knights of Malta.



Marco is betting the Cubanos to edge him over - of course he would never be in the position to do so.  John Ellis Bush beats him for the nomination in any scenario.



There is always time to make a video on Caritas in Veritate.  I would love to see them try to do Humanae Vitae with a straight face.

Labor Day 2015 | National Catholic Reporter

Labor Day 2015 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The labor-Church axis also  included government - in the end, Roosevelt.  Abortion is a sore point, but not a sticky one.  There was also a socialist movement who did not necessarily talk to the Church but was key to labor that needs to  be brought back into the conversation - indeed, a socialist economist like me or Richard Wollf would have been nice additions to either sponsored  program.



The  sticking point, of course, is dealing with teachers unions, which are the wind in the Democratic Party's pro-choice sails.  If the Church could realize that the political views of members off-the-clock are none of their business (and that Catholic teachers might just water down the NEA stridency in due course) - then  we  can trade collective bargaining  rights for a joint demand for public  funding and union level salaries. Its not the lack  of unions that make Catholic schools great - its the lack of central office meddling.  That won't go away with unions and public funds.  On labor, its time for the Church to walk the talk.

Links for 09/03/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/03/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Trump has big closets and is a scandal waiting to happen.  Sensenbrenner has already turned the GOP into the hate Latinos party - and that was under Bush!



People with an indpendent spirit often forget favors done for them.  Bad Karma come hurricane season. Pass immigration reform and all the reasons Trump does not like Mexican migrants go away.



Grip anid grins are always all smiles. I am interested in the private meeting content.

Pentin's Pernicious Attack on the Synod | National Catholic Reporter

Pentin's Pernicious Attack on the Synod | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Whatever Burke and his pet journalistare against, I and the Modernists are for - and we outlive them. The MSW comment about bishops doing what is in the best interest of the Church is telling.  Does he mean the institutional Church or the flock?  Of course, there are those in the flock who are deeply opposed to modernization in all things sexual, but there are very many who are not.  I am not sanguine about the immediate term, but Petin ad Burke's sloppy reactionaryism gives me hope that at least their desire to lurch back to the right will be laughed out of Rome.

Links for 09/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter by  MSW. MGB: The poverty of throwaway kids in Latin America is as bad as it gets, although in the US these kids would have been aborted.  A compassionate society accepts neither outcome and Francis should say that.



Trumps Evangelical base believes in the Prosperity Gospel - and no one is more prosperous than a billionaire TV star, even though these qualities were everything Jesus condemned - and Francis too.



It would be refreshing in Francis were briefed on the cupidity of the anti-abortion movement and said something about it. Unless someone in the Vatican reads my column or my comments on this one, that is not likely.  All I expect on abortion is a grip and grim.  Hopefully Obama will speak to him in private about the limits of the issue in American constitutional law.



I think Connolly has  it wrong, if Francis starts talking about the working class and radicalizing Catholics who are comfortable, the press will notice that and Sanders Democrats will get on the tables and cheer - as such talk makes Bernie a safe vote and not some radical Red from New York City (which he is, by the way).



Anything that takes the spotlight off of Trump and puts it on Sanders is cool with me.

Pope Francis' Letter on the Jubilee of Mercy | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis' Letter on the Jubilee of Mercy | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Emphasizing the corporal works of mercy should have most people heading for the confessional, as unmet needs and political unconcern for the poor are epidemic.  Still, it would have been nice had he repeated the words of Christ about what is really sin and what are human precepts, like the pecadillo which passes for Catholic sexual morality in most cases.  Resisting such perfectionism is not sinful.

Links for 09/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 09/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The late defrocked Cardinal is lucky the no-pathers were not in charge of his arrangements - as he would have been buried without Rites in the ideal no-pathist world.



RNS hits the Reactionary impulse where it hurts, although I like the new name. Of course, reactionaries seek a past that never was. Trump is a reactionary with his opposition to anchor babies. I don't think Francis, however, will sully his pallet by mentioning his name.



Not sure what reactionary impulse MSW is indulging in at be beating of a nun by the founding Capuchin. Still, lovely slide show.

Puerto Rico, the Fed

Puerto Rico, the Fed by MSW. MGB: For the Fed to do this now is no brainer, although the long term solution is either statehood or membership of PR in a Carribian region or nation which would have the power and diversity to cut these hedge funds off at the knees. The ability to do that is why the US is in good shape and has been, financially, for most of its existence.