Catholics have just learned a hard lesson: The end does not justify the means.
Unfortunately, the Catholic hierarchy isn't quite there yet. They're still processing the perils of making a deal with the devil.
The first peril is that the deal you made survives only so long as it benefits the devil. Once Obamacare had bought and traded its way into law, well, to the back of the bus, padre. Or under the bus. Abortionists and feminists up here to the front. His Obamaness will see you now. Please bow appropriately.
It's easy to understand why Catholics would love Obamacare. It would extend care to millions of people without the resources to pay for it. And since Catholics provide a good deal of medical care (and are quite good at it) – why not get paid for the charity portion they were already providing? They could that way help even more people!
Alas, what seemed like manna from heaven turns out to taste quite differently warmed over for the next election.
The second peril is like unto the first: He who has the gold makes the rules. As in, "Oh, by the way, Holy Father. You must now cover birth control and provide abortions for those who can't be bothered with an inconvenient infant. So sorry about the conscience thing, but I have a kingdom to build; I can't be troubled with trifles."
Catholics, and a host of other do-gooders trying to work their way into heaven, have fallen into the socialist-statist pit for two reasons. First, they have failed to understand the words of Jesus regarding the poor. Nowhere did Jesus tell the Roman government – or even the rabbis running the Jewish state – to tax the rich and give to the poor. Those who believe this have confused Jesus with Robin Hood. They need to reread the New Testament.
Jesus did tell us on a personal level to do what we could to help others. That's a much tougher message, isn't it? Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell what he had and give the money to the poor (Matthew 19:21). He didn't tell him to run for Congress and give away other people's money to build up his own treasure in heaven. Perhaps there's a reason for this?
The second key element Catholics misunderstand is a capitalist economy. This probably occurs because the church hierarchy lives inside of a charity. That's why socialism is so appealing; it feels like home to them. Father Sirico can set you straight on this. Protestant pastors would benefit greatly, as well.
In Jesus' lesson on the kingdom of heaven, he lists a group of people who had done many wonderful works in his name. Rather than praising them, he simply says, "I never knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23 KJV).
The ends of socialism – a shrinking equality for all but the "elites" who squander the public purse – remains an empty and pathetic end, the just reward for theft.