Joe Biden Defends Pope Francis On Economics "As A Practicing Catholic"

[bananas]

Source: Buzz Feed

Vice President Biden went out of his way at a speech to the United Auto Workers union Wednesday to take on one of Pope Francis’ strongest critics.

“A couple weeks ago Ken Langone, who I don’t know, a billionaire founder of Home Depot, predicted that the pope — Pope Francis’ critique of income inequity will be, quote, ‘a ‘hurdle’ for very wealthy Catholic donors, who seem to think hurt feelings trump the teachings of the Bible,” Biden said, referring to a December interview with the Home Depot founder.

<snip>

Biden appeared amazed by the comments as a Democrat pushing the Obama administration’s income equality message. As the most prominent Catholic on the president’s team, Biden seemed to be personally offended by the comments.

“As practicing Catholic, bless me, Father, for he has sinned,” Biden said. He paused. “I mean, come on. Come on! What are we talking about today?”

<snip>

Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/evanmcsan/joe-biden-defends-pope-francis-on-economics-as-a-practicing

[BootinUp]

1. The hammer was pulled back and released!

BANG! Yer Dead.

[eallen]

2. Frankly, I don't give a damn

Today, Biden beats up on some right-wing Catholic for ignoring the Pope's teaching on social justice.

Tomorrow, O'Reilly beats up on some pro-choice Catholic for ignoring the Pope's teaching on abortion.

Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn. Either way.

[babylonsister]

3. The fact you don't care is discouraging.

Biden appeared amazed by the comments as a Democrat pushing the Obama administration’s income equality message. As the most prominent Catholic on the president’s team, Biden seemed to be personally offended by the comments.

“As practicing Catholic, bless me, Father, for he has sinned,” Biden said. He paused. “I mean, come on. Come on! What are we talking about today?”

It’s not the first time Biden has embraced Francis, a pope who has energized the left in America despite his adherence to the church’s positions on social issues, while alienating some on the right with his economic views. President Obama is set to meet with Francis at the Vatican in March, and the president has said he’s “hugely impressed” with the pontiff.

Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin have condemned the pope as a purveyor of “pure Marxism,” saying they’ve been “taken aback” by some of his comments criticizing capitalism for not doing enough for the poor. Even Catholic conservatives have distanced themselves from Francis on economic issues. Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, a Catholic, dismissed Francis’ critiques of capitalism, due to his experiences growing up and living in South America.

“I think they have crony capitalism in Argentina, where you have real exploitation,” Ryan told ABC News recently. “That is not the free market. That’s crony capitalism.”

Biden has been a prominent supporter of Francis since he became pope last year. The vice president attended the installation of the new pope last year and said he “shares a vision that all of us share, to reach out to the poor and the dispossessed.”

At a TIME magazine banquet last April, after his visit to the Vatican, Biden put his connection to Francis in personal terms.

“In his homily he spoke movingly about our commitments to one another, not just as people of faith, he emphasized, but as human beings,” Biden recalled. “We all know we have obligations to each other. We know. We know we have a duty to look out for one another, to keep our hearts and minds open for those who are in need. Those are the values that I was taught…Most of us are here because we felt some connection, some obligation, some responsibility to the people around us.”

[merrily]

5. The Pope thinks even contraception is a sin, though.

And you are supposed to accept all his teachings (even though there is an ex cathedra distinction). So, each side can accuse the other of being "cafeteria Catholics."

For me, this is not about Biden, but about the proper position of religion in secular government.

Taking care of vulnerable members of society stands or falls on its own, regardless of how any religious leader feels about it, as does reproductive choice. And, if we absolutely must have religious authority for helping the vulnerable, then Jesus ranks higher than Frankie, even for the most devout Catholics. But, bottom line, we are not a theocracy.

[babylonsister]

6. I care about what "I" think and if I am moral and logical and ethical.

I don't care much for what anyone thinks in my context. When they do the right thing, it makes me happy.

[merrily]

7. I, as well. However, I think there is a potential pitfall in implying

that what Francis says on either matter is authoritative. The only ones who elected him belonged to the College of Cardinals. He may be authoritative for them and anyone who belongs to the church that he heads as far as religious matters. As far as what laws and policies the US should have, he has less authority than a DU poster.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

8. In other words, what you are saying is that a major religious leader should be ignored

That seems rather narrow minded.

[merrily]

9. My post spoke for itself. It didn't need your "translation" or your straw man, which

seems pretty, um, whatever.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

10. Yes, it did speak for itself

You are saying "what the Pope says on any subject whatsoever is meaningless, so any American should just ignore him".

I just wanted to be sure of what you said.

[merrily]

11. No you didn't want to be sure of what I said. You wanted to twist and then take a pot shot.

Twice apparently. Slow day?

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

14. Tell me, if you did not mean what I claim you said, then how about correcting me

Instead of taking snide potshots at me.

[merrily]

15. I did not take a snide pot shot at you. I labeled what you did to me. That's not the same thing.

And, after three rude posts, no, I am not going to explain the post to you.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

17. I see

I interpret your post, and you claim that my interpretation is wrong, but refuse to correct me and blame me for your refusal. That's mighty big of you.

[merrily]

18. Yes. After someone insults me repeatedly, I may just decline.

Go figure.

[eallen]

12. When should we pay him attention, because he is leader of a major religion?

When he says contraception is a sin?

When he appoints a chief exorcist?

Or just when he says something we like, about the poor?

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

13. Whenever you like

There is a thread on the Archbishop of Canterbury's visit to Africa, where he is denouncing violence, especially violence towards women. Is anyone on that thread saying, "Oh, he's a foreign religious leader. We should ignore him and what he says."

Just because you disagree with the Pope on some issues is no reason to dismiss him out of hand.

[father founding]

16. phony capitalism

I think they have crony capitalism in Argentina, where you have real exploitation,” Ryan told ABC News recently. “That is not the free market. That’s crony capitalism.” As opposed to Ryan's phony capitalism

[No Vested Interest]

4. That's our Joe, and that's why we love him. nt

He has the courage of his convictions.