Friday, February 19, 2016

Pope on a plane---tears on a pillow

I figured that the pope's trip to Mexico would have some cringe inducing moments but I didn't think it would be this bad: he got into American politics and kicked open a hornet's nest. Stephen Knox of Magnificat Radio observed the backlash to the pope's political remarks and thinks it shows how anti-Catholic America really is. Maybe. Without going as far back as Martin Luther and the Anglican schism, the conditions that fed the backlash are not new. A lot of people were already ticked off at Catholics over legal immigration. They look at the expensive and secretive immigrant resettlement industry and blame us for it.

You can tell your Protestant or pagan neighbor that Catholic Charities doesn't represent all Catholics and that the Episcopalians and Jewish groups also contribute heavily to resettlement but he won't hear it. He's complaining online and in person to all his friends that "the Catholics" sponsored the Somali family next door who have never seen a stove or a washing machine before and regularly need the services of the fire department.  Now, it sounds to your exasperated  neighbor  that the Holy Father just gave us marching orders to show a preference to Mexicans and other Hispanic nationals over the wishes, needs, and lives of our fellow Americans.  Yes, Evangelicals are anti Catholic to the core on a good day as are many Baptists but the comments of the Holy Father did not help and convinced a lot nasty, ignorant people that they are right about Catholics.


For too many people massive illegal immigration has come at a price paid in their loved one's blood. Last year a nice old lady in a border state was killed by a teen aged illegal alien. She was Catholic and I doubt that the bishop or anyone from her diocese chancery showed up at her funeral.  A few years ago a  kid was killed by illegal aliens in his own yard. That young man's father filmed a campaign spot for  Donald Trump. I just read another horrible story about a woman who's son was tortured and killed by individuals who never should have been in this country. She's has publicly stated that the pope doesn't care about [people like] her. I can not imagine being so cruel as to tell any of these family members to their faces that they are not Christian because they want a border wall.  I have no idea what the Holy Father understands or thinks and neither do the so-called Vatican experts. I do know that he landed a hard blow on a deep national bruise and the pain is still throbbing. Vatican spokesmen have tried to clarify what Pope Francis said, and apologists are downplaying it but it's too late.  This interview will lead to tears.