Would it be accurate to say the Catholic Church is becoming increasingly political, specifically right wing?
And if this is the case, are Catholic Christians concerned about this change?
Were they ever not?
The public in general has become more individualistic, which drifts them further apart vis-a-vis Catholic Church politics.
It’s just a question of perception: The current pope already had a conservative reputation as "John Paul’s Rottweiler" before he became pope; Benedict also spoke out against secularism, the growth of Islam in Europe, is seeking to reinstate an ultraconservative (and Holocaust denying) bishop, as well as put "Hitler’s Pope" on the path to sainthood.
Now, JP 2 probably was just as conservative theologically and politically as Benedict, but he wasn’t as controversial at doing so.
The Church’s politics used to be about firm anticommunism, which wasn’t so controversial because Americans feared Left Communism too.
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February 16 2010 03:31 pm | Catholic
Tacit Knowledge on 16 Feb 2010 at 8:40 pm #
It is not the case at all. In fact if anything the opposite. Conservatives were very upset with the economic views of Pope John Paul II and many have rejected the Church’s teaching on immigration as you may have noticed.
The Third Way still holds.
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Rev. wing wang woo woo on 16 Feb 2010 at 9:21 pm #
Last time I checked, the Catholic church was for open borders with the Third World, a left-wing position.
Clearly, you a very ignorant on the subject and have distorted view, thinking that all religious people are right-wing when, in fact, many are left-wing, especially Catholics.
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coldfuse on 16 Feb 2010 at 10:00 pm #
The Roman Catholic Church has always been very powerful and political, generally with a bent that is more conservative than its parishioners.
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Jennifer on 16 Feb 2010 at 10:34 pm #
I don’t know. As far as abortion goes, yes. However, this is how it should be, since everything to do with right-wing policies is supported by the bible.
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Samian's Fifteenth Account on 16 Feb 2010 at 11:23 pm #
Were they ever not?
The public in general has become more individualistic, which drifts them further apart vis-a-vis Catholic Church politics.
It’s just a question of perception: The current pope already had a conservative reputation as "John Paul’s Rottweiler" before he became pope; Benedict also spoke out against secularism, the growth of Islam in Europe, is seeking to reinstate an ultraconservative (and Holocaust denying) bishop, as well as put "Hitler’s Pope" on the path to sainthood.
Now, JP 2 probably was just as conservative theologically and politically as Benedict, but he wasn’t as controversial at doing so.
The Church’s politics used to be about firm anticommunism, which wasn’t so controversial because Americans feared Left Communism too.
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Atheist
Adam of the wired on 16 Feb 2010 at 11:52 pm #
eh I don’t really know if its a huge shift per say, the one solid right wing ideology is the pro life movement, other than that I still see a fair amount of catholics all over the board
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cristoiglesia on 17 Feb 2010 at 12:16 am #
The Church is not political as far as it can avoid being so. I can see why one might perceive this as the world is moving to the left as the church remains the same. The Church will always be on the side of morality and truth. God bless!
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
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Gravity is only a theory on 17 Feb 2010 at 12:40 am #
The church has always been that way, for that matter most of Christianity is that way.
((((((Priรciℓℓα ☼))))))
Rev. wing – what the Catholic Church is doing in Africa is not a left view point or even a right view point, it is very anti-human right view point.
Plus another thing she in no way impalied that she thought, "that all religious people are right wing;" she said, "increasingly political, specifically right wing."
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Chinese Swede - let God be God on 17 Feb 2010 at 1:13 am #
I don’t think so. With any global organization, it is difficult to make sweeping generalizations.
I would think that the two popes in recent history have been more Orthodox in their general actions than prior popes; i.e. they have been for the poor, the powerless, the marginalized, in many ways. Certain parts of the Catholic Church, however, have been right wing.
I note though, that I am left wing or right wing from issue to issue, depending on where the Gospel points. I think that it is dangerous when a political side takes and claims the entire Gospel for themselves…; there’s little chance for critique due to fear of drawing the charge of divisiveness in the Body.
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Dru M on 17 Feb 2010 at 1:58 am #
Not so much. The Church in general is becoming more liberal if anything. You’ll notice more and more "we’re all brothers" type crap. Aside from the fact that jewish influence is strong and more noticable then ever. How many times does the Pope have to appologise for the catholic churches past?
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james o on 17 Feb 2010 at 2:05 am #
Oh, I don’t know. The Roman Church was accused of telling their faithful how to vote in the Kennedy Nixon election. It’s naive, I think, not to expect the leaders to say something about their take on morals of the times and the political impact on morals.
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Tolstoyevsky on 17 Feb 2010 at 2:31 am #
No, it would not be accurate to say that; that is utter nonsense.
Next?
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sparki777 on 17 Feb 2010 at 2:52 am #
No, the Church is not becoming "increasingly political." The Church has maintained the same role on the world political scene for centuries.
No, the Church is not becoming "specifically right wing." Catholic views on capital punishment, war, immigration and health care are decidedly left of center. We’re only right of center on issues of abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide and other such matters. But we’ve ALWAYS been there.
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