General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBannon is battling Pope Francis, and moderate and progressive Catholics.
There has always been a wide range of Catholic views, and the hard right are not the only "true Catholics" -- even though that's how they view themselves.
Bannon is associating himself with some far right Bishops, who are fighting Pope Francis.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/07/world/europe/vatican-steve-bannon-pope-francis.html?_r=0
Just as Mr. Bannon has connected with far-right parties threatening to topple governments throughout Western Europe, he has also made common cause with elements in the Roman Catholic Church who oppose the direction Francis is taking them. Many share Mr. Bannons suspicion of Pope Francis as a dangerously misguided, and probably socialist, pontiff.
Until now, Francis has marginalized or demoted the traditionalists, notably Cardinal Burke, carrying out an inclusive agenda on migration, climate change and poverty that has made the pope a figure of unmatched global popularity, especially among liberals. Yet in a newly turbulent world, Francis is suddenly a lonelier figure. Where once Francis had a powerful ally in the White House in Barack Obama, now there is Mr. Trump and Mr. Bannon, this new presidents ideological guru.
SNIP
The pope will maintain his direction and not be distracted by fights against those trying to undercut him, Father Spadaro said. He moves forward, and he moves ahead very fast.
He added that Mr. Trumps ban on immigrants from certain Muslim countries was opposite to the pontiffs vision for how to foster unity and peace. The pope, Father Spadaro said, is doing everything he can to avoid the clash of civilizations that both fundamentalist Muslims and Christians want.
shrike
(3,817 posts)I think Francis can handle this.
LisaM
(27,803 posts)I am Catholic and didn't realize until I grew up that all Catholic churches were not like the gentle, liberal churches like the ones I attended (all in college towns). It was an eye opener, to be sure. Pope Francis represents the way I was taught, and I don't see how any Catholic couldn't agree with his message of helping the poor.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)and I don't love leaders easily, not even Obama, though I am a great admirer. In fact, this Pope may be the first.
It seems to me that Pope Francis is both conservative and, yet often acts as, a social liberal, and probably at least sometimes as an economic liberal, depending. His vast tolerance of many different cultures, generosity of spirit, and ability to work within traditional and hidebound systems, only pushing their boundaries judiciously, clearly indicate that he could not be the kind of radical leftist those ultraconservative bishops are no doubt claiming he is.
Socialist and communist? Liberals are usually shopping cart pragmatists--you use what works best in each situation, retaining the best of capitalism's energy here, adding in some socialism because that works better there... Etc.
Whatever, no labels actually needed. Just imagine the world if we all just took him as our role model. I'm smiling as I type this because he is who and what he is.
orangecrush
(19,545 posts)And it is getting downright ugly.
I hope Pope Francis calls Burke back to Rome, and replaces him with a non nazi.
rug
(82,333 posts)He has betrayed everything he ever was.
Francis has his work cut out.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12217588
peggysue2
(10,828 posts)Have not been active for years. But my money is on Pope Francis who has during his short tenure given hope to millions. The man's genuine outreach to the poor and marginalized is inspiring. His stance on Climate Change and the challenge of being good stewards to the Earth is stirring, far more Christian than the forces that would bring down his papacy.
Pope Frank rocks and is beloved by the world. With good reason. That's what Bannon and his cabal of darkness cannot stand. The light is blinding for this crew of miscreants.
So, let the haters howl to the moon. It won't stop this Pope.
gademocrat7
(10,656 posts)Bannon, Burke and other right wingers don't stand a chance against him.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)anti-semitic, fascist , Mussolini muse Julius Evola at the Vatican? Every time I think I've read the worst about Steve Bannon, some new horror pops up.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/10/world/europe/bannon-vatican-julius-evola-fascism.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=b-lede-package-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
pnwmom
(108,977 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Is that the face of evil or what?
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)idolizing them.