Bye-bye, pope. Bye-bye, church?

It must have been excruciating for non-Catholics, for fallen-away Catholics and especially for those who deeply hate the Roman Catholic Church and all it represents to see the media adoration of the pope.

Pope Francis visited the United States! Politicians went crazy in anticipation, as did thousands of Americans. Of course, the media outdid themselves with their coverage of the events and their interpretations of what the pope did – or didn't – say or do.

It was Pope Francis' first visit to this country, and he made several appearances and speeches in places that no one anticipated, most especially, speaking to Congress.

The more important aspect of his visit was what he said and did and how to interpret his words and actions. It's no surprise that he said things that either irritated or pleased listeners, depending on their political views.

Let there be no doubt, this visit and the actions and words of Pope Francis were political – religious, yes, but most importantly, political.

Like it or not, religion has played an important role in events in this country recently, most clearly, in social issues.

The homosexual agenda has gotten the nod from politicians, from Barack Obama on down: the changes in the military and the approach to, and now approval of, gay marriage from the Supreme Court.

The issue of abortion has moved to the spotlight with the revelations about Planned Parenthood – the deliberate killing of the pre-born and the dismemberment of those babies for the sale of their body parts, organs and tissue.

Such actions are illegal, yet politicians, so wedded are they to their leftist beliefs, refuse to take definitive action to put a stop to it or at the very least, stop funding the organization that perpetuates such actions.

The Catholic Church has strong positions on homosexuality, on marriage, on abortion and on contraception. None of that has changed, but since Vatican Two, the interpretation by bishops and priests has softened the view of the day-to-day Church.

The result has been that the American Church, especially, has become fragmented. The term "cafeteria Catholic" is a result – Catholics who pick and choose what doctrine they will follow and which they won't yet at the same time, consider themselves "good Catholics."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi is a perfect example. She touts her "good Catholicism," yet does not speak out against abortion or gay marriage or any number of other of the issues of her "choice."

Another aspect of the fragmentation of the American Church is the outspokenness of media voices – commentators or talk hosts – who claim to be "good Catholics" and yet, at every opportunity, ridicule or demean Catholic beliefs.

Unfortunately, this has also spread to the clergy. Ask the average Catholic how many times they've heard their priest in a sermon mention abortion, contraception, homosexuality, gay marriage, premarital sex, divorce and other such "touchy" issues. They even avoid speaking about "evil" and the existence of the devil.

How about never?

I don't remember when I've heard any of that, and it's because the priests fear "offending" parishioners who may be involved in such activities.

It's clear the pope is on that side of the battle. Conservatives hoped he would speak out forcefully on those moral issues that have so conflicted American society, but he did not. Yes, he walked the edge of the issues, carefully, but that's all.

But on other issues, ones which many believe are not the jurisdiction of the Church, he spoke out forcefully – redistribution of wealth, criticizing capitalism. He referenced Dorothy Day, praising her for her position against capitalists and he emphasized its alleged exploitation of the poor.

He preached against capital punishment – and yet specifically ignored abortion.

He used his bully pulpit in Washington and at the United Nations to support the rights of immigrants. Essentially, we are told to open our doors regardless of law or order or stability of our country.

If there were any doubt about the political sway of his positions, consider the little girl who ran to him in a parade and handed him a letter describing her immigrant family woes. It got all kinds of media coverage, especially his hug of her.

Then we find out, the whole thing was planned by an immigrant rights organization for more than a year, and they carried it out perfectly.

Is this a PR pope?

Perhaps the final stroke of political leanings was Pope Francis' strong support of the idea of climate change and the "rights" of the environment.

That he is wrong on this issue is ignored; just that he says it apparently makes it right. Of course, leftists love it, and Catholics are already seeing the issue being mentioned in their local parishes as an obligation of faith.

It appears the same priests who won't touch the issues of abortion or gay marriage have no compunction about preaching reverence for the environment and how our "wasteful acquisitive" lifestyle is wrong.

I've already heard it, and it continues and promises to get worse. Soon, no doubt, it will be a sin needing to be confessed.

This whole thing makes me sad. I am a Roman Catholic, and I will not let political issues strip me of my faith. But I will not be silenced when I see the religion and the Church being used for political ends.

Pope Francis seems a kindly man, but questions are raised.

Is the pope socialist? A communist? I don't know, but I hope we find out before the Church is destroyed from within.

It's already begun.

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