Is It Now Anti-Catholic To Vote Republican?

Pope Francis may be doing for the Democrats what Jerry Falwell did for the Republicans. Lay out a set of ideas and priorities framed to support one political movement while disqualifying another. The Pope’s recent comments on social justice and economic fairness were unmistakably designed to condemn modern conservatism as it was to echoes modern progressiveness.

“In this context, some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting.”

If Pope Francis’s condemnation of greed and unregulated free markets were aimed at the heart of the GOP it’s pretty clear he hit his target. What’s the sound of a wounded elephant? Rush Limbaugh complaining. And if there’s one guy on a throne that’s going to pontificate El Rusho is going to make damn sure it’s him.

I’m telling, I’m not Catholic, but I know enough to know that this would have been unthinkable for a pope to believe or say just a few years ago.  But this passage, “The culture of prosperity deadens us.  We are thrilled if the market offers us something new to buy.  In the meantime, all those lives stunted for lack of opportunity seem a mere spectacle.”  I have to tell you, folks, I am totally bewildered by this.

Putting aside Limbaugh’s dubious credentials as an expert on Christianity, there is suddenly a clear choice for Catholics. Do they reject their religion to remain with Rush locked into the Conservative Movement or do they break away to follow the leader of their church. It’s hard to see how any Catholic who has a been a loyal Republican could help but ponder whether it was time to leave the flock and more importantly which flock to leave.

By: Mark Quincy Adams

A proud 'pragmatic progressive' Mark Quincy Adams has been a political
talk show host and prolific pontificator since 1992. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @politicalglutton