Reading Catholics Out Of Catholicism

Conservatives an obsession with wrapping itself in the cloak of God and accusing Democrats of being anti-religion, anti-God, anti-Christian, or anti-Catholic. They've started in with Joe Biden:

Newsmax host: "There's a strong case against [Joe Biden] that he's not really a Catholic" pic.twitter.com/dz2tcltIl7

— Jason Campbell (@JasonSCampbell) March 5, 2021

Nonetheless, probably nobody has been so attacked on those grounds as Nancy Pelosi.

And so it is that Red State's Mike Miller, condemning the Speaker of the House for allegedly being "Catholic in Name Only," quotes Dr. Paul Kangor, a proudly Catholic right-winger:

“The list of outrageous statements by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, a Roman Catholic, is unending. Her statements—and actions—advancing abortion have been nothing short of astounding, and extremely damaging. They are scandalous.

“But her latest comment may be her worst yet.

“Asked why she refuses to support a bill banning late-term abortions, Pelosi said: ‘As a practicing and respectful Catholic, this is sacred ground to me…. This shouldn’t have anything to do with politics.’

“Her statement speaks for itself. And frankly, I’m grateful she said it. Clearly, this is where Nancy Pelosi’s heart and mind and soul is. And she is speaking for countless other radical ‘abortion rights’ advocates.

“In the past, I’ve gotten nasty responses when I’ve referred to abortion as a ‘holy sacrament’ in the ‘feminist church.’ I was told this was over the top, too harsh, exaggerated. Well, it isn’t.

“For certain extreme liberal feminists, there’s nothing more dear—nothing more sacred—than abortion. Nancy Pelosi has simply publicly reaffirmed the fact.”

In this country alone, tens of millions of Roman Catholics support reproductive freedom.  Further ,the Protestant Christian right has its roots in opposition to the the federal government's effort in the 1970s to deny segregated Christian academies tax-exempt status. 

However, Miller's screed is Catholic-centric and he blasts Pelosi predominately for the hypocrisy he perceives because she cleaves to her Catholic faith while being pro-abortion rights. Nonetheless, if Pelosi can be charged with heresy solely because of her view of abortion rights and "untold numbers of her actions and the causes she supports," Miller should aim a little higher.

For over five years the country was regaled with Donald Trump's personal insults: "Morning Psycho" (Joe Scarborough); "stone cold Crazy" (Adam Schiff); "little Eric Schneiderman"; "weirdo" (Tom Steyer); "dumb as a rock" (Rex Tillerson); "Crazy Bernie Sanders"; "the dumbest man on television" (Don Lemon); with many other targets including, of course, "Crooked Hillary," she of "no strength, no stamina." The list is much, much longer.

From time to time, we all violate Jesus' warning (Matthew 15:11, ESV) "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

But Donald Trump did this as President.  And none of us (except possibly the extremely mentally ill) ever has claimed "I am the Chosen One."  Few of us has been so contemptuous of Jesus Christ's warning "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16).   

And Donald Trump's fruits, culminating - or maybe not- with the riot he instigated on January 6 are clear. By contrast, according to Michael Miller, this is one of Nancy Pelosi's greatest sins:

.@SpeakerPelosi: "Our nation is blessed with Joe Biden as President of the United States. He is an extraordinary president. He knows how to get the job done." pic.twitter.com/0n4HtdMxVs

— The Hill (@thehill) March 4, 2021

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