While I disagree with Ms. Pelosi’s position on abortion and other pro-life and family issues, I also agree with Til2morrow. There is never a justification to express hatred or condescension toward anyone.
First, we never know the subjective state of another person’s soul. We only know their opinions and visible actions. We can certainy disagree with what is visible behaviour and audible opionions; but we may never express hatred or any other uncharitable feeling toward another person. To do so is to be no better than those who condemned Christ and his disciples.
Second, Ms. Pelosi is not the only Catholic political leader who espouses abortion either in the United States or the world. Others do too and they have diplomatic and friendly relationships with the Vatican.
Third, it is the job of the Apostolic See to teach the truth. But it is not its job to take individuals outside of its jurisdiction to task. Maybe this is the reason why the Holy Father made his statements using very universal language referring to political leaders, jurists and other persons of social influence, instead of saying “you” to Ms. Pelosi. There is a point in canon law that is very clear. The Church does not have legal jurisdiction over sovereign states and their leaders. The Church’s jurisdiction stops at her members.
In the case of Ms. Pelosi and many other political leaders, there is a conflict. These individuals are Catholic, but they are also legitimate political leaders among the nations of the world. The Church has to be very careful not to breach the sovereignty of any state by threatening its leaders, intentionally offending them or subjecting them to public ridicule.
This does no good for the individual or for the Church in those countries where these persons serve. The Apostolic Sees language must always be universal in tone, while at the same time it must speak the truth.
Our language on this thread has been reduced to an outright attack on Ms. Pelosi’s character rather than on the issue, which is abortion. The title of the thread is actually misleading. According to the Catholic media, there was no rebuke. The Holy Father spoke as he always does. He reminded Ms. Pelosi that leaders have an obligation to protect the dignity of life from conception through all of its natural stages. That is not a rebuke. In any case, that would be more catechesis.
If Ms. Pelosi wishes to say that the spoke about social concerns such as poverty, peace and other subjects, it may well be true as well. The Holy Father is very concerned about these topics. They are not part of a liberal agenda. They are very near and dear to the heart of the Church. This does not deny that the spoke about the dignity of life. It just means that she has chosen not to mention that part of the meeting.
The meeting was brief. I am sure that there could not have been much of a dialogue. Traditionally, popes do not have long meetings with political figures. The reason for this has nothing to do with abortion. The Church tries very hard to ensure that the Apostolic See is not viewed as favoring any political group or nation.
If you are very obervant, the Holy Father has spend more time speaking with Muslims and Jews, that he did with the President of the United States when he came to Washington. That meeting was 40 minutes. His meeting with religious leaders have gone as long as 90 minutes.
Let us preserve our balance and our charity in our expression of the events and our statements about the persons involved.
As St. Francis always said, “Let us never be quick to judge, but always quick to be humble.”
Fraternally,
JR
