Ben Bond
Prof. Sabatino Mangini
English 100
11/9/15
The Popes Position in Modern Politics
In American culture, and cultures throughout the world, the political spectrum is more or less divided into to warring fronts, left and right, conservative and liberal, Republican and Democrat, etc. Many factors can influence which side is in power such as like the condition of the economy of the nation your living in or even the religious beliefs of the citizens in the country. The Catholic Church is one of the most dominant religions in the Western World, with an estimated 1.2 billion followers (BBC) as of 2013, so it has a major impact on the lives of it's followers. Elected in March of 2013 (CNN Library), Pope Francis has given some “radical” opinions, which differ from previous papacies views on matters pertaining to abortion, climate change, divorce and same-sex marriages. Pope Francis' message is causing turmoil in the religious and political world. Because of his leniency on topics of abortion, or whether or not the divorced and remarried can take holy communion as well as his stand against climate change, he is sometimes understood to favor one political agenda or another, I believe however that his views truly stem from Catholic ideologies. The Popes seemingly radical directive is often praised by the left and condemned by the right, when it should be viewed as a message inspired by the teaching of the Catholic Church applied to a more modern Society.
The Popes latest released encyclical, Laudato Si', details certain issues that could be interpreted as a more left leaning approach, as opposed to past pronouncements which tended to favor a more conservative approach. Specifically, Pope Francis challenges capitalism, the disadvantage of the poor and the adverse effects on the environment, concerns often attributed to leftism. The left is opposed to free market societies adopted by prominent western cultures. This coincides with Catholic teaching warning people against the idolatry of money, to whom Pope Francis offers a prayer at the end of Laudato Si', “Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference...”. This is considered to be the end of a so-called alliance with the GOP as the papacy begins to side more with leftist ideals and practices, and focuses less on more conservative topics of concern. (Clark)
When it comes to how modern day conservatives view Pope Francis, the aim seems to be to discredit him, accusing him of using his message to give leftists political favor. Normally, these right-leaners have been allied with the Pope, as both share similar views when it comes to issues pertaining to abortion or same-sex marriage and the like. However Francis has been quoted as saying “If someone is gay, who searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” (Times), which seems to go against the prerogative of traditionalist values portrayed by conservatives. In defense of the right's viewpoint, poverty rates throughout the world have been dropping drastically, which goes against Francis' seemingly outdated views on the socioeconomics of capitalism in the modern world. In addition, Pope Francis is in support of a proposal from Cardinal Walter Kasper, which would allow the divorced to take communion, something which goes against traditional Catholic teachings of the indissolubility of marriage and the structure of the family. No matter the case, Francis' ideologies stem from core Catholic teachings applied towards an ever evolving society that we live in. (Dougherty)
Despite how the papal doctrines may be twisted into propagating an agenda for political gain, one detail seems to be overlooked by the receiving parties. The papacy does not favor liberal or conservative, they favor Catholic teachings, and Francis is a prime
example of that. Pope Francis urges the people of the world regardless of who they are, what ideologies they follow, or what side of the political fence they choose to sit on, to take charge, and follow Christ's examples. When it comes to climate change, he offers counsel to world leaders, to take action for a better future in which our environment can thrive and through that so can we as a people. Francis challenges us to view all aspects of human life as precious, not only the parts that we see fit. He challenges us to consider whether we hold our morals to our political standpoints, or whether our our morals are expounded through the life and works of Christ and the Church. (Boyagoda)
We need not put any undue political notions so heavily upon the Pope's words. The message is more than an agenda by one party or another, it is intended to help us grow in love and compassion for our fellow man. There is more to his word than a liberal agenda, or bashing conservatives, these are the words of a simple man elected to hold a position of guidance and counsel over a billion people who seek to live like Christ. Time and time again will the message of religious leaders be misinterpreted to favor one over another by those in power, but now more than ever must we analyze messages from the Church to apply them positively in our lives. For Christ says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24), a message Pope Francis seeks to apply to the world today.
Bibliography
BBC, World. "How Many Roman Catholics Are There in the World? - BBC News." BBC News. 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Boyagoda, Randy. "Keep the Pope Out of America’s Jagged Ideological Terrain." 17 Sept. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Clark, Meghan. "Francis Has Ended the Illusion of a Vatican-G.O.P. Alliance." 17 Sept. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
BBC, World. "How Many Roman Catholics Are There in the World? - BBC News." BBC News. 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Library, CNN. "Pope Francis Fast Facts - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 12 Oct. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Times, Reporter. "10 Memorable Pope Francis Quotes: ‘Who Am I to Judge?’." Reporter-Times. 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Prof. Sabatino Mangini
English 100
11/9/15
The Popes Position in Modern Politics
In American culture, and cultures throughout the world, the political spectrum is more or less divided into to warring fronts, left and right, conservative and liberal, Republican and Democrat, etc. Many factors can influence which side is in power such as like the condition of the economy of the nation your living in or even the religious beliefs of the citizens in the country. The Catholic Church is one of the most dominant religions in the Western World, with an estimated 1.2 billion followers (BBC) as of 2013, so it has a major impact on the lives of it's followers. Elected in March of 2013 (CNN Library), Pope Francis has given some “radical” opinions, which differ from previous papacies views on matters pertaining to abortion, climate change, divorce and same-sex marriages. Pope Francis' message is causing turmoil in the religious and political world. Because of his leniency on topics of abortion, or whether or not the divorced and remarried can take holy communion as well as his stand against climate change, he is sometimes understood to favor one political agenda or another, I believe however that his views truly stem from Catholic ideologies. The Popes seemingly radical directive is often praised by the left and condemned by the right, when it should be viewed as a message inspired by the teaching of the Catholic Church applied to a more modern Society.
The Popes latest released encyclical, Laudato Si', details certain issues that could be interpreted as a more left leaning approach, as opposed to past pronouncements which tended to favor a more conservative approach. Specifically, Pope Francis challenges capitalism, the disadvantage of the poor and the adverse effects on the environment, concerns often attributed to leftism. The left is opposed to free market societies adopted by prominent western cultures. This coincides with Catholic teaching warning people against the idolatry of money, to whom Pope Francis offers a prayer at the end of Laudato Si', “Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference...”. This is considered to be the end of a so-called alliance with the GOP as the papacy begins to side more with leftist ideals and practices, and focuses less on more conservative topics of concern. (Clark)
When it comes to how modern day conservatives view Pope Francis, the aim seems to be to discredit him, accusing him of using his message to give leftists political favor. Normally, these right-leaners have been allied with the Pope, as both share similar views when it comes to issues pertaining to abortion or same-sex marriage and the like. However Francis has been quoted as saying “If someone is gay, who searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” (Times), which seems to go against the prerogative of traditionalist values portrayed by conservatives. In defense of the right's viewpoint, poverty rates throughout the world have been dropping drastically, which goes against Francis' seemingly outdated views on the socioeconomics of capitalism in the modern world. In addition, Pope Francis is in support of a proposal from Cardinal Walter Kasper, which would allow the divorced to take communion, something which goes against traditional Catholic teachings of the indissolubility of marriage and the structure of the family. No matter the case, Francis' ideologies stem from core Catholic teachings applied towards an ever evolving society that we live in. (Dougherty)
Despite how the papal doctrines may be twisted into propagating an agenda for political gain, one detail seems to be overlooked by the receiving parties. The papacy does not favor liberal or conservative, they favor Catholic teachings, and Francis is a prime
example of that. Pope Francis urges the people of the world regardless of who they are, what ideologies they follow, or what side of the political fence they choose to sit on, to take charge, and follow Christ's examples. When it comes to climate change, he offers counsel to world leaders, to take action for a better future in which our environment can thrive and through that so can we as a people. Francis challenges us to view all aspects of human life as precious, not only the parts that we see fit. He challenges us to consider whether we hold our morals to our political standpoints, or whether our our morals are expounded through the life and works of Christ and the Church. (Boyagoda)
We need not put any undue political notions so heavily upon the Pope's words. The message is more than an agenda by one party or another, it is intended to help us grow in love and compassion for our fellow man. There is more to his word than a liberal agenda, or bashing conservatives, these are the words of a simple man elected to hold a position of guidance and counsel over a billion people who seek to live like Christ. Time and time again will the message of religious leaders be misinterpreted to favor one over another by those in power, but now more than ever must we analyze messages from the Church to apply them positively in our lives. For Christ says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24), a message Pope Francis seeks to apply to the world today.
Bibliography
BBC, World. "How Many Roman Catholics Are There in the World? - BBC News." BBC News. 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Boyagoda, Randy. "Keep the Pope Out of America’s Jagged Ideological Terrain." 17 Sept. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Clark, Meghan. "Francis Has Ended the Illusion of a Vatican-G.O.P. Alliance." 17 Sept. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
BBC, World. "How Many Roman Catholics Are There in the World? - BBC News." BBC News. 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Library, CNN. "Pope Francis Fast Facts - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 12 Oct. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
Times, Reporter. "10 Memorable Pope Francis Quotes: ‘Who Am I to Judge?’." Reporter-Times. 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.