Political pope's 'fundamental transformation'

Here's an interesting choice for you.

Which is OK for American politicians? A visit from an Israeli prime minister to talk about international policy or a visit from the world's top Catholic to do the same?

That's exactly what is facing this country right now, and the difference in reactions from our politicians is quite astounding.

Actually, it isn't when you consider the politics involved, but because the media do not present the real picture, average Americans don't realize how they're being had.

When is it OK for the top Catholic to get involved in American politics just before our House and Senate will be considering, and likely voting on, critical issues?

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Let's see: We can't have the Israeli prime minister speak to Congress because we're told it's too political at a time when Israeli elections are on the horizon.

The real issue is the possibility of a nuclear Iran. The ramifications for Israel, the United States and, indeed, the free world are virtually ignored by both the politicians and the media.

But wait a minute. Pope Francis is planning a U.S. visit in September; he will be speaking to Congress, and everybody seems to think that's just swell.

Politicians who claim to be Catholic when they want their halos burnished are praising his upcoming visit, and even those who probably never see the inside of any church are beaming with ecumenical pride.

The text of Francis' speech isn't known, but Tucson Bishop Gerald Kicanas said he thinks Francis will "prod" lawmakers to pass comprehensive amnesty.

How about that for an outsider trying to influence our policy?

Kicanas was speaking to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border security and said the immigration issue is dear to the pope's heart.

It's also close to Kicanas heart, with Arizona priests making media events of holding Mass right at the border fence and distributing Communion thru the fence to Mexicans on the other side.

They act as though Catholics can't attend Mass in Mexico. What nonsense!

The invitation to Benjamin Netanyahu was extended by House Speaker John Boehner, who is, ironically, Roman Catholic.

It was accepted. As soon as it became public, everything hit the fan, from the Oval Office on down.

Barack Obama got on his high horse, declaring that we never support such events when it might affect foreign election. Of course, he made no mention of the friction between the two men that has been simmering ever since Obama was elected, and this isn't the first time Obama has been overtly rude to Netanyahu.

Democrats from the president on down are taking the high and mighty position and declaring they will not attend.

That their decisions smack of anti-Israel sentiment is something they won't even acknowledge, but it is clearly the case.

Vice President Joe Biden said he wouldn't be there because of a schedule conflict, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi railed that the invitation was a breach of protocol and inappropriate.

Both, by the way, are ostensibly Catholic.

Like good little soldiers, Democrats from the House and Senate fell into line with their regrets.

Their efforts at climbing on the same high horse as Obama are enough to gag you.

It would be refreshing one of these days to have some elected officials in Washington have the courage to think independently and not like a caravan of clones.

What is confounding is, if Iran does get the nuclear power it desires, how we would deal with it and how we would support our allies in that area, namely Israel?

But also confounding is the almost totally noncritical support of Pope Francis – a man who is clearly overstepping the boundary between Church doctrine and international politics.

Consider: This is a man who said that the thousands of unaccompanied minors who surged across our southern border last year should be "welcomed and protected." He also called for an end of "racist and xenophobic" attitudes.

How's that for being judgmental and insulting, with no consideration of what this country has been and is doing to support and help people who are in this country illegally?!

Isn't intentionally breaking the law considered a sin in Catholicism?

The pope told reporters he wants to walk across the border into the United States, and, "To enter the United States from the border with Mexico would be a beautiful gesture of brotherhood and support for immigrants."

How nice for him.

Clearly this is a man who wants to eliminate borders and who is using his position to influence gullible Americans – Catholics and others – to sell out our sovereignty.

Pope Francis is someone who is confounding Catholics worldwide and, indeed, people across the Christian world.

On the one hand, he is revered because of his position and because of his kindly face and demeanor, but there are many Catholics in this country and abroad who are concerned (and that's growing) about the things this man has said, his ventures into political issues and seeming willingness to make fundamental changes in Catholic doctrine, the hierarchy and in the Vatican.

Hmmm – Pope Francis is making fundamental changes in Catholicism, and Barack Obama is making fundamental changes in the United States.

Perhaps there is reason to be concerned.

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