Sarah Palin fears "liberal" Pope Francis being influenced by the "sneering media"

[Contarini]

Are you really “struggling”? Your pants are smoldering! Many of us Christians are extremely perplexed by some of the Pope’s statements. Since Obama is “impressed” with him, and Obama stands against everything Christ taught, Sarah Palin speaks for millions of us right now. Rob

In other words, politics trump the Gospel for you. Or perhaps they are the Gospel for you. Either way, I’m sorry.

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

You missed the point. Sarah went against the grain of women that are older and pregnant with a special needs child. Maybe you don’t have children that have special needs but any parents that does is a hero and anyone that stands up for life in a real way not lip service to get votes is admirable. It is obvious you don’t like her but many of us do and admire her.
When she first was nominated to VP, she came to MI for a rally and in that rally was a number of the nuns from the dominican order Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. They were interviewed by the local press. They went to see her because they admired her.
I think it is kinda a sad day when Catholics who are suppose to be pro-life and stand with the church can’t even muster admiration for someone who stands against the culture of death.

I do admire that about her. I am also feminist enough (and fair enough) to admire her strength and feistiness.

That being said, I have seen nothing to indicate that she has any great wisdom or the kind of virtues that make a person well qualified to care for the common good.

 

[RPRPsych]

This entire thread reminds me of a Mafalda* comic strip where Mafalda goes to a shop, and listens to a long, involved, convoluted, pointless argument between the shopkeeper and a customer. When she returns, and someone asks her where she’s been, she says: “The National Theatre”.

Pretty much how I feel about reading this. This is the National* Catholic theatre, and a tragi-comedy is playing.

• Pope Francis quotes Mafalda, so I guess I’ll follow his example.
  ** The American nation, that is.

 

[_Abyssinia]

What is liberal about any of Pope Francis’s comments? Pope Francis’ comments have been in line with Catholic teaching.

Pat Archbold put together an article with quotes that you may think are ‘liberal’ and said by Pope Francis but they are quotes from Pope Benedict

ncregister.com/blog/pat-archbold/10-quotes-that-prove-the-pope-is-a-liberal

 

[RPRPsych]

Great article, thanks for posting it here! The sad part is that some of the commenters on the article didn’t get the irony.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Great article, thanks for posting it here! The sad part is that some of the commenters on the article didn’t get the irony.

You know this comment from Pope Francis:

We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible. I have not spoken much about these things, and I was reprimanded for that. But when we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context. The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.

The dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent. The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently. Proclamation in a missionary style focuses on the essentials, on the necessary things: this is also what fascinates and attracts more, what makes the heart burn, as it did for the disciples at Emmaus. We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel. The proposal of the Gospel must be more simple, profound, radiant. It is from this proposition that the moral consequences then flow.

catholicworldreport.com/Item/2583/new_pope_good_interview_old_story.aspx#.UoS_V5EYi7c

These were the headlines from the mainstream media covering that quote

• Pope Bluntly Faults Church’s Focus on Gays and Abortion (New York Times)

• Pope Francis: Church cannot be ‘obsessed’ with gays, other bans (Chicago Tribune)

• Pope Francis says church cannot focus only on abortion and gay (NBCNews.com)

• Pope Francis: Church can’t ‘interfere’ with gays (CNN)

• Pope Francis Tells Church to Stop ‘Obsessing’ Over Gay Marriage (Mediaite)

• Pope Francis takes issue with church focus on gays, abortion (Los Angeles Times)

• Pope Francis says church cannot focus only on abortion and gay marriage (NBCNews.com)

• Pope Francis: Gays, Abortion Too Much Of Catholic Church’s Obsession (Huffington Post)

• Pope Francis: The Church needs to mellow out on abortion and gay issues (San Francisco Chronicle)

Pope Benedict said this in 2006, and there wasn’t media coverage with titles like the above

We should not allow our faith to be drained by too many discussions of multiple, minor details, but rather, should always keep our eyes in the first place on the greatness of Christianity.

I remember, when I used go to Germany in the 1980s and '90s, that I was asked to give interviews and I always knew the questions in advance. They concerned the ordination of women, contraception, abortion and other such constantly recurring problems.

If we let ourselves be drawn into these discussions, the Church is then identified with certain commandments or prohibitions; we give the impression that we are moralists with a few somewhat antiquated convictions, and not even a hint of the true greatness of the faith appears. I therefore consider it essential always to highlight the greatness of our faith - a commitment from which we must not allow such situations to divert us.

In this perspective I would now like to continue by completing last Tuesday’s reflections and to stress once again: what matters above all is to tend one’s personal relationship with God, with that God who revealed himself to us in Christ.

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/november/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061109_concl-swiss-bishops_en.html

And this also in 2006

So often the Church’s counter-cultural witness is misunderstood as something backward and negative in today’s society. That is why it is important to emphasize the Good News, the life-giving and life-enhancing message of the Gospel (cf. Jn 10:10). Even though it is necessary to speak out strongly against the evils that threaten us, we must correct the idea that Catholicism is merely “a collection of prohibitions”. Sound catechesis and careful “formation of the heart” are needed here, and in this regard you are blessed in Ireland with solid resources in your network of Catholic schools, and in so many dedicated religious and lay teachers who are seriously committed to the education of the young. Continue to encourage them in their task and ensure that their catechetical programmes are based on The Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as the new Compendium. Superficial presentations of Catholic teaching must be avoided, because only the fullness of the faith can communicate the liberating power of the Gospel. By exercising vigilance over the quality of the syllabuses and the course-books used and by proclaiming the Church’s doctrine in its entirety, you are carrying out your responsibility to ‘preach the word … in season and out of season … unfailing in patience and in teaching’ (2 Tim 4:2).

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061028_ad-limina-ireland_en.html

Pope Benedict’s comments are somewhat similar to the message Pope Francis seemed to try and get across and look at the mainstream media headlines for Pope Francis’ and try and find any similar for Pope Benedict’s

 

[_Abyssinia]

Great article, thanks for posting it here! The sad part is that some of the commenters on the article didn’t get the irony.

You know this comment from Pope Francis

We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible. I have not spoken much about these things, and I was reprimanded for that. But when we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context. The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time…

catholicworldreport.com/Item/2583/new_pope_good_interview_old_story.aspx

These were the headlines from the mainstream media covering that quote

• Pope Bluntly Faults Church’s Focus on Gays and Abortion (New York Times)

• Pope Francis: Church cannot be ‘obsessed’ with gays, other bans (Chicago Tribune)

• Pope Francis says church cannot focus only on abortion and gay (NBCNews.com)

• Pope Francis: Church can’t ‘interfere’ with gays (CNN)

• Pope Francis Tells Church to Stop ‘Obsessing’ Over Gay Marriage (Mediaite)

• Pope Francis takes issue with church focus on gays, abortion (Los Angeles Times)

• Pope Francis says church cannot focus only on abortion and gay marriage (NBCNews.com)

• Pope Francis: Gays, Abortion Too Much Of Catholic Church’s Obsession (Huffington Post)

• Pope Francis: The Church needs to mellow out on abortion and gay issues (San Francisco Chronicle)

catholicworldreport.com/Item/2583/new_pope_good_interview_old_story.aspx

Pope Benedict said this in 2006, and there wasn’t media coverage with titles like the above

We should not allow our faith to be drained by too many discussions of multiple, minor details, but rather, should always keep our eyes in the first place on the greatness of Christianity.

I remember, when I used go to Germany in the 1980s and '90s, that I was asked to give interviews and I always knew the questions in advance. They concerned the ordination of women, contraception, abortion and other such constantly recurring problems.

If we let ourselves be drawn into these discussions, the Church is then identified with certain commandments or prohibitions; we give the impression that we are moralists with a few somewhat antiquated convictions, and not even a hint of the true greatness of the faith appears. I therefore consider it essential always to highlight the greatness of our faith - a commitment from which we must not allow such situations to divert us.

In this perspective I would now like to continue by completing last Tuesday’s reflections and to stress once again: what matters above all is to tend one’s personal relationship with God, with that God who revealed himself to us in Christ.

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/november/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061109_concl-swiss-bishops_en.html

And this also in 2006

So often the Church’s counter-cultural witness is misunderstood as something backward and negative in today’s society. That is why it is important to emphasize the Good News, the life-giving and life-enhancing message of the Gospel (cf. Jn 10:10). Even though it is necessary to speak out strongly against the evils that threaten us, we must correct the idea that Catholicism is merely “a collection of prohibitions”. Sound catechesis and careful “formation of the heart” are needed here, and in this regard you are blessed in Ireland with solid resources in your network of Catholic schools, and in so many dedicated religious and lay teachers who are seriously committed to the education of the young. Continue to encourage them in their task and ensure that their catechetical programmes are based on The Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as the new Compendium. Superficial presentations of Catholic teaching must be avoided, because only the fullness of the faith can communicate the liberating power of the Gospel. By exercising vigilance over the quality of the syllabuses and the course-books used and by proclaiming the Church’s doctrine in its entirety, you are carrying out your responsibility to ‘preach the word … in season and out of season … unfailing in patience and in teaching’ (2 Tim 4:2).

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061028_ad-limina-ireland_en.html

Pope Benedict’s comments are somewhat similar to the message Pope Francis seemed to try and get across and look at the mainstream media headlines for Pope Francis’ and try and find any similar for Pope Benedict’s

 

[Ridgerunner]

I would agree. By the standards of the technologically advanced countries, Mr. Obama would be considered a moderate conservative. The Tea Party types would classify him as a far left socialist. Obviously, the labels reveal more about the labelers then about those applying the labels

Hugo Chavez said Obama is to the left of Raul Castro, so it isn’t only “Tea Party types”.

 

[chero23]

I was flipping through the channels yesterday and I flipped to msnbc, there was Chris Matthews and video of the pope appeared so I stopped. He was going off on Sarah Palin. I remembered that he told her, you think that the Pope is being liberal but all he’s doing is looking out for the poor. It was the same was the same way Pope Leo XIII spoke at the end of the 19th century. That he wanted a system for the elderly to retire.

I know people are afraid to stand up to anti Catholicism, but this was good. We can argue well she spoke to early or she meant well. We as Catholics need to stand up and defend our faith, and the great people who walk in it.

 

[Seamus_L]

While I’ve never been an admirer of Sarah “The only flag on my desk is an Israeli one” Palin, I can no longer deny the reality, that Pope Francis is being misunderstood on a scale which is unprecedented at least in my lifetime. If a child self interprets a statement made by a parent, and concludes that he or she may now do something that is dangerous-harmful, is it not the parent’s duty to clarify the matter in no uncertain terms ?

 

[Ridgerunner]

it might be just as well that he’s misunderstood by the media. Unfortunately, many listen to them, and if some fallen-away Catholics are (seemingly) being disabused of their notions that their (largely) sexual issues forever preclude them from the Church, and that there’s no way back, maybe that’s just as well. One hopes that with proper pastoral care, at least some will exert themselves to straighten out their lives and return.

Possibly the Pope had that very thing in mind; realizing the media misrepresentation would nevertheless have the result of overcoming reluctance in some to even approach the Church again. It would be very clever of him if that is what he was doing; using the religion-hating media to nevertheless promote a message of reconciliation.

Again, looking at what Palin actually said rather than how it’s interpreted by people hostile to her, her operative concept is that some of the media statements have been concerning to her (as to many) but that she felt she should look into the Pope’s real statements and the meaning of them rather than rely on media interpretation.

 

[gnjsdad]

Ideology rules here in America. Why does anyone really care what an irrelevant figure like Sarah Palin thinks about the Pope, or anything else, for that matter, any more?

She’s, of course, a convenient pinata for the ideological left to beat. I just love how the pro-abortion, pro homosexual “marriage” hosts on MSNBC (especially Chris Matthews) suddenly love Pope Francis because Sarah Palin thinks he’s too liberal

Let’s pray that the Pope’s message, which is the full and entire message of the Catholic Church, sinks in and causes Matthews et al to turn away from their evil advocacy of abortion, contraception, and sodomy and causes those on the right like Palin to reject economic exploitation of the weak and poor by the strong.

 

[robwar]

it might be just as well that he’s misunderstood by the media. Unfortunately, many listen to them, and if some fallen-away Catholics are (seemingly) being disabused of their notions that their (largely) sexual issues forever preclude them from the Church, and that there’s no way back, maybe that’s just as well. One hopes that with proper pastoral care, at least some will exert themselves to straighten out their lives and return.

Possibly the Pope had that very thing in mind; realizing the media misrepresentation would nevertheless have the result of overcoming reluctance in some to even approach the Church again. It would be very clever of him if that is what he was doing; using the religion-hating media to nevertheless promote a message of reconciliation.

Again, looking at what Palin actually said rather than how it’s interpreted by people hostile to her, her operative concept is that some of the media statements have been concerning to her (as to many) but that she felt she should look into the Pope’s real statements and the meaning of them rather than rely on media interpretation.

that is it in a nutshell. As usual the media again misrepresented her and the Pope and the things they have said.

 

[DeniseNY]

that is it in a nutshell. As usual the media again misrepresented her and the Pope and the things they have said.

But look at how many have bought into it.

 

[Lochias]

But look at how many have bought into it.

Yup. Many don’t question what the media feeds them anymore.

 

[robwar]

Ideology rules here in America. Why does anyone really care what an irrelevant figure like Sarah Palin thinks about the Pope, or anything else, for that matter, any more?

She’s, of course, a convenient pinata for the ideological left to beat. I just love how the pro-abortion, pro homosexual “marriage” hosts on MSNBC (especially Chris Matthews) suddenly love Pope Francis because Sarah Palin thinks he’s too liberal

Let’s pray that the Pope’s message, which is the full and entire message of the Catholic Church, sinks in and causes Matthews et al to turn away from their evil advocacy of abortion, contraception, and sodomy and causes those on the right like Palin to reject economic exploitation of the weak and poor by the strong.

Well, to those that think Sarah Palin is a dodo, I think they should relook at other commentators on TV like Chris Matthews. For those that want to take turns at the Sarah Palin piñata should likewise take a stick at the Chris Matthews empty suite piñata. Whether you like, admire, discount or careless over all of this, Sarah Palin does highlight the total hypocrisy of the media and left. Even the title of this thread is misleading because if you really read what she said you realize that one can’t obtain their understanding of the Pope or anyone else by how the “drive by” media twist and distorts people and quotes for it’s own agenda which is not exactly pro-Catholic Church.

 

[robwar]

This entire thread reminds me of a Mafalda* comic strip where Mafalda goes to a shop, and listens to a long, involved, convoluted, pointless argument between the shopkeeper and a customer. When she returns, and someone asks her where she’s been, she says: “The National Theatre”.

Pretty much how I feel about reading this. This is the National* Catholic theatre, and a tragi-comedy is playing.

• Pope Francis quotes Mafalda, so I guess I’ll follow his example.
  ** The American nation, that is.

Always glad to entertain.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Are you really “struggling”? Your pants are smoldering! Many of us Christians are extremely perplexed by some of the Pope’s statements. Since Obama is “impressed” with him, and Obama stands against everything Christ taught, Sarah Palin speaks for millions of us right now. Rob

Thanks for giving us an “outsiders” view.

 

[Havard]

I think she has a more folksy style. Now maybe you might find that inflammatory but I can see through that to what she says and considering the pounding that she has unfairly gotten in the press on herself and her family, I think again I can understand that as well. The more inflammatory conservative commentator would be (name escapes me) the one with the long blond hair and wears sleeveless tops. Now she is very inflammatory and insultful to the left. Bill O’Relly is more arogant than anything. Yes, commentators styles can effect how they are understood and viewed. Hannity can be a big pit bull too. But Sarah is more true to Catholic church teaching than Nancy P. from California and I’ll throw my hat to Sarah any day than so called Catholic nancy P. Anyone who decides to give life to a down’s child when most of them now are aborted deserves our respect and admiration and that is real pro-life at work not just lip service.

Sorry for the delayed response.

I don’t have a problem with a folksy style. Mike Huckabee has a folksy style, but he’s much more civil.

Sean Hannity, Michelle Malkin, and Ann Coulter also lob disparaging generalizations at liberal folks to varying degrees, and it wins them free & easy points with their followers. But IMO it’s just increasing the partisan divide.

And of course there are liberals that do it too, but they’re not in my camp, so I’m first focused on the people that “represent” me. I would hope the reasonable liberals (like many on this forum) are speaking out about the liberal politicians who behave uncivilly.

 

[robwar]

Sorry for the delayed response.

I don’t have a problem with a folksy style. Mike Huckabee has a folksy style, but he’s much more civil.

Sean Hannity, Michelle Malkin, and Ann Coulter also lob disparaging generalizations at liberal folks to varying degrees, and it wins them free & easy points with their followers. But IMO it’s just increasing the partisan divide.

And of course there are liberals that do it too, but they’re not in my camp, so I’m first focused on the people that “represent” me. I would hope the reasonable liberals (like many on this forum) are speaking out about the liberal politicians who behave uncivilly.

I understand, I generally agree with Ann coulter but because she come across as arrogant and sniping, I think she loses me. Sean Hannity can be the pit bull. Michelle Malkin I guess I like because she expresses the anger at the hypocrisy of the left the double standards which I find outrageous too. I can think of any left of center commentator that I would find as reasonable. Chris Matthews i general think is ready for a stroke. Yes Mike Huckabee has a folksy style but he can be too wimpy for me. Maybe I like a little bit but not as much as Ann Coulter.