The Pope & Bush & Hypocrisy

The Pope has arrived. President Bush laid out the red carpet in welcome. Nine thousand plus people gathered on the South Lawn of the White House to sing "Happy Birthday" to the papal leader.

Mr. Bush, smarmy as usual, said that the pope's visit "was a reminder for Americans to 'distinguish between simple right and wrong.'

"We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth. In a world where some see freedom as simply the right to do as they wish, we need your message that true liberty requires us to live our freedom not just for ourselves, but in a spirit of mutual support."

I wonder if Bush has a clue what all that means? It sounds much more like a sermon from a high priest than a message from a political leader. Did Bush put words in Pope Benedict's mouth? Would most Americans have even the foggiest idea of what Bush meant when he referred to a "dictatorship of relativism"? What would Bush know about "a culture of justice and truth?"

And if there is one thing Americans do not need is the pope to help us distinguish from "right" and "wrong."

There has never been a presidential administration since the founding of our country that has had less interest in "a culture of justice and truth." In fact, the exact opposite is more descriptive of George W. Bush's presidency!


This was the Pope's first visit to the United States. Even before landing, Benedict had expressed dismay at the sexual abuse uncovered in the American church. From what he said, it appeared he did not feel the problem was as great in other countries. If true, I'm afraid that's a very naive attitude.

Upon arrival, the message was more upbeat. He said he was looking forward to meeting "a great people and a great church." Standing next to Bush, Benedict said "I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the church in the United States and strengthen the resolve of Catholics to contribute even more responsibly to the life of this nation of which they are proud to be citizens."

Bush was even more maudlin. He explained to the Pope that America is very virtuous. It is "a nation of prayer and compassion, a nation that believes in religious liberty and welcomes the role of faith in the public square, and one that is the most 'innovative, creative and dynamic country on Earth' but also among the most religious."

And all the people said: "What a crock!"


Looking at the current situation in the United States and the position of the United States around the world, one may well conclude that Mr. Bush is either deliberately presenting a phony Christian nationalist picture of this country, or is so out of touch with reality he should be locked away in a room with padded walls. Just about everything he has done in the past seven years, when held up against this kind of public religiosity, defines him as one of history's biggest hypocrites.

The same might be said of Pope Benedict XVI. The sexual abuse scandals that have exploded across the face of our nation represent an institution that is corrupt at its core; an institution which, through its theology and practice, has created a culture that breeds contempt and abuse and hypocrisy.

The American church is not a "great" church. It is a hidebound institution committed to perpetrating ancient prejudices: desiring to impose its Catholic "values" relative to abortion, birth control, stem cell research, etc., upon all American citizens; continuing a celibate priesthood; espousing homophobia even as a goodly percentage of its clergy are of that persuasion; and denying one-half of the human race the ability to serve at Roman altars. No, the Roman church has little to offer in terms of "right" and "wrong!"

In spite of his comments to reporters while flying to the U.S., Pope Benedict XVI has much to answer for with regard to priestly sexual abuse in the United States. Being "dismayed" and/or chewing out the U.S. bishops for their laxity is not enough for exoneration!

Thomas Heiden of Stratford, Connecticut, wrote the following in response to an article in Media Matters:

"The Pope's protestation of distress at the abuse of children by Catholic priests is a total sham.

"Cardinal Law, who for many years routinely and knowingly transferred abuse priests from parish to parish in the greater Boston area, has a post of great honor in this Pope's Vatican.

"If Law were anyone else, he would be in jail in the United States. If Benedict is sincere, he should insist Law return to this country for trial. Instead, Law stands as the patron saint of pedophiles."


The Pope and Bush: Hypocrites writ large.