The (baffling) view from Rome

[canadianguy1143]

catholicworldreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110:the-baffling-view-from-rome&catid=37:exclusive&Itemid=54

L’Osservatore Romano’s sympathetic front-page editorial by Giuseppe Fiorentino about Barack Obama’s first 100 days is baffling (full text available here). On every contested issue related to the natural moral law, Obama is advancing dangerous policies. Yet this editorial blithely says that even “on ethical issues…Obama doesn’t seem to have confirmed the radical changes he had aired.”

Yes, he has

Somebody better do their homework!

 

[PMB53]

I have read this piece in l’Osservatore Romano. I think the biggest difference between the Vatican’s nuanced approach and the American Bishops “in your face”’ is that the Vatican is responsible for taking a wider view of Catholicism world-wide. The two groups hold the identical view on abortion itself. The Vatican, however, is not so enamoured with the U.S. Republican Party as are the American Bishops, nor can Vatican City afford to be a myopic, one-issue entity when it comes to theology and morality. Domestic issues and events are naturally of primary concern to American Catholics. Perhaps from Rome’s point of view, the ambitions of American conservatism is not the most important consideration in the entire world. Ours is, after all, a Universal Church, not a national one.

 

[JimG]

I have read this piece in l’Osservatore Romano. I think the biggest difference between the Vatican’s nuanced approach and the American Bishops “in your face”’ is that the Vatican is responsible for taking a wider view of Catholicism world-wide. The two groups hold the identical view on abortion itself. The Vatican, however, is not so enamoured with the U.S. Republican Party as are the American Bishops, nor can Vatican City afford to be a myopic, one-issue entity when it comes to theology and morality. Domestic issues and events are naturally of primary concern to American Catholics. Perhaps from Rome’s point of view, the ambitions of American conservatism is not the most important consideration in the entire world. Ours is, after all, a Universal Church, not a national one.

I would hardly say that the American Bishops are “enamoured of the Republican Party.” More often, the USCCB has tended to act as the religious arm of the Democratic Party. There are, however, some U.S. bishops (by no means all) who are more outspoken on life issues, particularly in the last election cycle when the Democratic Party and its candidate took a radically pro-abortion approach.

 

[mystagogia]

I read the piece from Rome. It is a diplomatic document. It does not fawn over Obama, but choses to go over items that are favorable to the president. The author is clearly looking for the bright sides.

I think we do have to understand how Obama came off during his European Grand Tour over there. He was non-challenging to say the least, some might say even too soft. He was quick to assume American blame and worked to switch the image many Europeans have of America the unilateralist to that of a humbled and concilliatory America. While the soft approach is a hard sell at home, Europeans are more receptive. I view this article from Rome as a response in that collegial vein.

It is important to note that the fundamental criticism from Rome regarding right to life issues still undergird the message. The tone of it when it comes to these differences is not one of approval of Obama, but rather, “well, it could be worse.”

When my dad said that to me when I brought him my report card, I wasn’t exactly elated!