During an address to foreign ambassadors to the Vatican, Pope Francis had VERY strong words regarding capitalism having created a “tyranny,” and about the need for countries to “impose more control over their economies and not allow ‘absolute autonomy, in order to provide ‘for the common good’.” Pope Francis added that “while the income of a minority is increasing exponentially, that of the majority is crumbling,” and that “the worship of the golden calf of old has found a new and heartless image in the cult of money and the dictatorship of an economy which is faceless and lacking any truly human goal.” He declared, “I encourage the financial experts and the political leaders of your countries to consider the words of St John Chrysostom ‘Not to share one’s goods with the poor is to rob them.‘”
In sum, Pope Francis just condemned pretty much everything Republicans – aka, the “I’ve got mine so screw you!” party – believe in when it comes to the economy, while endorsing pretty much everything progressives believe in on economic fairness and social justice. Now, of course progressives don’t agree with the Pope on issues related to sexuality and women’s rights, but when it comes to economics, I’d say we’re all singing from the same sheets of music. As for Roman Catholics like Ken Cuccinelli, apparently he disagrees with the Pope – and with the teachings of Jesus Christ, as well – on caring for the poor, the stranger, the naked and the hungry. I’m not sure what Cuccinelli bases that on, exactly, because it certainly couldn’t be clearer in the Gospels.
By the way, while we’re on the subject of Ken Cuccinelli disagreeing with his own church on fundamental issues of his faith, how about environmental protection, which Pope Benedict – the “green Pope” – made an important part of his papacy? It appears that Pope Francis is following in Benedict’s tradition on “lov[ing] and car[ing] for creation.” In stark contrast, Ken Cuccinelli comes from the “drill baby drill,” slash-and-burn, Koch brothers wing of the Republican Party. That’s his right, of course, but yet again, Cuccinelli is directly opposing the leadership of the highest leaders of the Roman Catholic church. I’m not sure how Cuccinelli reconciles that, but of course this is a guy who talks to his toy elephant, dabbles in “birtherism,” and who believes the government uses Social Security numbers to “track” us, so why expect him to start making any sense now?
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