The Papal Meaning For POTUS
President Obama is now a veteran of the gilded palace routine--the Kremlin, Buckingham, Quirinale, he's been to them all. This afternoon he will visit another of the most elaborately-decorated buildings in the world, the Vatican, and according to his aides, he is particularly excited, but not for the architecture. "He recognizes that this is much more than your typical state visit," said Denis McDonough, one of Obama's national security advisors. He has spoken to Pope Benedict XVI once before, in December, when Obama was still president-elect.
Asked to elaborate on Obama's excitement, McDonough explained just why the Holy See visit will be so important for Obama. "The President, in both his words and in his deeds, expresses many things that many Catholics recognize as fundamental to our teaching," he said. McDonough continued:
One is that the President often refers to the fundamental belief that each person is endowed with dignity, and as it relates to the issues I work on most frequently with the President, the President often underscores that dignity of people is a driving goal in what we hope to accomplish in development policy, for example, and in foreign policy. That's one.
Two, I've also heard the President speak very movingly about what Cardinal Bernadin called the seamless garment of Catholic teaching. That garment speaks to not just taking care of the poor and the needy but also investing in the kind of health care infrastructure that would ensure that people like those on the South Side of Chicago, who the President is very familiar with are oftentimes finding their health care not in publicly funded hospitals but in Catholic hospitals, for example.
So the President I think has been very impacted not just as he's talked publicly about his time on the South Side when he was funded partly as a community organizer by a Catholic Church campaign for human development funding, but also as a younger person when his mother was doing so many things consistent with that tradition as somebody focused on economic development and issues similar to that in poor communities overseas.
As for the two men's differences, particularly on issues of abortion, McDonough predicted some civil discussion. "There are issues on which they'll agree, issues on which they'll disagree, and issues on which they'll agree to continue to work on going forward," the aide said.
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I'm not a catholic and have some difficulties with this pope's positions and rigidity. But I'm glad that both the president and the pope recognize common goals, interests and values.
I am often struck by how often Barack Obama speaks of the dignity of every person. Whether we follow any religion or none, this is a worthy basis for human relationships.
The final question asked of Episcopalians at every Baptism is: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
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As an Episcopalian who teaches at an Episcopal school, I find this last comment of yours especially important. How cool is it that our president publicly embraces this sentiment.
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No understanding of Obama's relationship with Catholicism would be complete without acknowleging the influence of Cardinal Bernadine over all Chicagoans. He was a beacon of compassion and reason that one didn't need to be Catholic to appreciate:
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[...] Obama will meet the Pope this afternoon. No truth to the rumor that the Pope will sprinkle him with holy water to see if he [...]
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I'm interested in seeing the statements or joint statement that gets released after the meeting. It's a relief to have a President that isn't greeted by angry mobs wherever he goes.
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It says 5 comments and only 4 are showing. Who got stuck in moderation purgatory? Couldn't resist dropping the F-Bomb?
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sacredh: I think the fuzzy math comes from replies being tallied as comments, but not enumerated as such. Your comment (the one I'm replying to (w)rite now) was numbered #4, but my reply, and the Georgia Bard's reply to #1 are included in the comment total.
So, when I hit enter, there should be 4 numbered and 6 total comments.... -
5.2
Hmmm, well I guess this is a way to avoid long threads. I actually want to reply to kbanginmotown, below you, but I can't.
If they don't want to give replies cardinal numbers, maybe they should number them "4.1," etc. Yours truly from comment 4.2....
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sacredh: (7) comments and only 6 are showing...
...nevermind...
I guess your first hypothesis is correct...Benedictus' comment was too salty for Swampland.
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I must be a little dense. I see 6 posts and 7 comments listed. I guess I was just hoping that someone else felt the need to swear whenever the Vatican was mentioned.
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To get back on-topic: I wonder what it will take for the right to see that the spiritual attacks are nonsense.
Here's O'RiledUp via HuffPo (link) on the rant again.
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Don't be includin' Catholicism as a whole wi' th' ri' - thar be LIBRUL Catholics too, t' th' eternal bane o' th' paternalistic, gender-discriminatin' heirarchy...I ought t' be knowin'
!
.
Arrgh! -
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Because of Pope Benedict's rigid rhetoric, I was quite surprised, and pleased, that he extended his hand to Mr. Obama.
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" .. in both (Obama's) words and in his deeds, expresses many things that many Catholics recognize as fundamental to our teaching," .."
Pakistan/Afghanistan - US drones kill scores of innocent men, women and kids - even those gathered to bury those previously killed in by drones..
Americas: Catholic priests burn ancient manuscripts as native priests and scribes - the keepers of the chronicles - are beheaded by the conquerors in the room, one by one by one by ...
Americas/Africa: Missions offer food to starving/starved natives if they convert to Christianity.
USA: Over 4,000 Catholic priests in child molestation accusations.
Divine Reveleation - WMDs in Iraq (or "Phantom WMDs and the Papal Joy of Bloodlust"):
Prior - Two-thirds of Catholics favored using military force in Iraq, ... Now - Fully 81% of white Catholics believe it was the right decision.
[The Pope sends his messenger to USA to complain to Bush#43 that le padre Pope had been assured before the invasion that the adventurism in Iraq would be brief, quick .. (bloodless? merciful?)]Ave Maria.
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"... Catholics recognize as fundamental to our teaching"
Not to mention BHO's pious commitment to respecting the sovereignty of other nations and not interfering in their internal affairs - while encouraging and supporting those (like Tweeter, Mousavites, CIA and Israel) who would violently destabilize Iran.
O, for the joy of sweet biblical duplicity.Ave Maria.
[Or, with such a god, why would atheists and agnostics worry - other than about the noise pollution?]
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MS, please takes some pics of the Sistine Chapel. I've heard the ceiling frescoes are gorgeous. But where's our religious expert who would add color to the Pres./Pope discussion?
Where have you gone, Amy Sullivan?
Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you... -
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decostructiva: I enjoy the way you mix 60's lyrics with current topics.
Let me take you down cos' I'm going to Vatican City forever.
Where nothing is real and -
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Nice post about religion and politics. Thanks, Amy!
Oh, wait...
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Hit the wrong button. That was a reject.
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sacredh, thanks. There's a vast musical library out there beyond the Jonas Bros. I know a place where the music is fine and the lights are always low, and I hope kids out there find it.
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I hope the Pope doesn't try to impress Obama by having Wagner playing in the background.
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[...] The Papal Meaning For POTUS President Obama is now a veteran of the gilded palace routine–the Kremlin, Buckingham, Quirinale, he’s been [...] [...]
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