Pope Francis is the most popular Pope since John Paul II. Okay, yes, that is supposed to be humorous. Leaving aside Pope Paul II, he is the most popular since John XXIII, who shared a Camelotan glow with John F. Kennedy in the early '60s.
I found Pope Francis' arrival in Manhattan yesterday quite moving as I watched on television. The sight of joyful, expectant faces of citizens lining the streets, their exuberance and humility was quite taking. On television one saw little of the pope except for his outstretched arm as he hurtled down a deserted Fifth Avenue bound for St. Patrick's Cathedral. How must those onlookers be feeling today?
There has already been a whirlwind of activity by this Pope on his trip to the U.S. There has been much that is admirable, especially his trip to the homeless shelter in D.C.
But otherwise, his trip to Washington was disappointing, if not troubling. I speak specifically of his speech before Congress. And here I will be a rather sharp dissenter owing to our long-held doctrine of separation of church and state, something hinted at in the Constitution but developed and honed over more than two centuries of jurisprudence. Is there not a reason why the Pope (any Pope) has never addressed Congress before? Why now?
As I say, this is a first draft. I plan to give more backing for my statements of concern soon. But for now I say simply: What America needs is not the Pope in Congress. What America needs is Congressmen and -women in church. We need them in weekly Bible study groups, orthodox Christian history study groups, and spiritual discipline groups. And I am talking about local congregations, not groups led by other Congresspersons on Capitol Hill. What an idea! -- our representatives in church Bible study!
N.B. This is not to give short shrift to the temple. However, I confess I am not much interested in Congressmen in the Mosque. My apologies to Muhammad.
I found Pope Francis' arrival in Manhattan yesterday quite moving as I watched on television. The sight of joyful, expectant faces of citizens lining the streets, their exuberance and humility was quite taking. On television one saw little of the pope except for his outstretched arm as he hurtled down a deserted Fifth Avenue bound for St. Patrick's Cathedral. How must those onlookers be feeling today?
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| Pope Francis in D.C. homeless shelter. Thanks to: religionnews.com |
But otherwise, his trip to Washington was disappointing, if not troubling. I speak specifically of his speech before Congress. And here I will be a rather sharp dissenter owing to our long-held doctrine of separation of church and state, something hinted at in the Constitution but developed and honed over more than two centuries of jurisprudence. Is there not a reason why the Pope (any Pope) has never addressed Congress before? Why now?
As I say, this is a first draft. I plan to give more backing for my statements of concern soon. But for now I say simply: What America needs is not the Pope in Congress. What America needs is Congressmen and -women in church. We need them in weekly Bible study groups, orthodox Christian history study groups, and spiritual discipline groups. And I am talking about local congregations, not groups led by other Congresspersons on Capitol Hill. What an idea! -- our representatives in church Bible study!
N.B. This is not to give short shrift to the temple. However, I confess I am not much interested in Congressmen in the Mosque. My apologies to Muhammad.
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