More than a few people said during the recent papal visit that the pope should avoid politics and stick to church concerns: sexual morality, liturgy, prayers, kissing babies and charity.
In this country we have a policy of separating church and state because history has shown (even to today) that when religion and the state are wedded, things often get ugly and dangerous - at least for some.
But the pope has to speak to the world's problems best he can because our consciences become lax or power and greed take over.
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. (Psalm 24:1 ~ New Living Translation)
In this country we have a policy of separating church and state because history has shown (even to today) that when religion and the state are wedded, things often get ugly and dangerous - at least for some.
But the pope has to speak to the world's problems best he can because our consciences become lax or power and greed take over.
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. (Psalm 24:1 ~ New Living Translation)
Mahatma Gandhi said: "Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is."
So as Pope Francis addressed Congress and spoke about a Seamless Garment of Life he said:
So as Pope Francis addressed Congress and spoke about a Seamless Garment of Life he said:
"Being at the service of dialogue and peace also means being truly determined to minimize and, in the long term, to end the many armed conflicts throughout the world. Here we have to ask ourselves: why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade."
Now more than a week later I've yet to hear a commentator-priest or newscaster draw our attention to this paragraph from the pope's thoughts. Why is that? Too busy talking about the Fiat, the pope's clothes, what he ate and who he met privately.
My Ukrainian priest-friend, Father John, said of Catholicism in the world today: "It is like a great ship trying to navigate a narrow and cavernous ice flow."
My Ukrainian priest-friend, Father John, said of Catholicism in the world today: "It is like a great ship trying to navigate a narrow and cavernous ice flow."
