Pope sets tone for humbler papacy, calls for defense of the weak

[Lionessa]

By Philip Pullella and Catherine Hornby

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis set the tone for a new, humbler papacy on Tuesday with a call for the defense of the weak and the environment, saying this was the way to prevent the triumph of death and destruction. (snip)

Although he is as conservative doctrinely as Benedict, his simplicity and his emphasis on the Church's mission to care for the poor is a sea change from his predecessor. (snip)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/19/us-pope-idUSBRE92D05P20130319
________________________________

I call bullshit. If this pope really wanted to help end poverty and help the environment, he'd support women's health rights across the globe, especially within the realm of contraception and if not pro-choice. Instead he's just a lying asshole pretending he give's a shit.


I thought of putting this in Religion, but decided it's equally womens' rights, so put it in GD. If I'm wrong, I'll gladly move it, or re-do it, or whatever needs to be done.

[reformist2]

1. Such a nice sentiment to wake up to. :)

[Lionessa]

2. Whose, mine or the pope's?

[caraher]

3. "defense of the weak" is good and bad

The problem with it is that the anti-abortion obsessives latch onto the phrase and argue that nobody is weaker than a fetus, therefore "defense of the weak" = all out attack on abortion.

Now if you take the scope to be actual post-birth humans, "defense of the weak" is uncontroversially a good thing...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. There is what is called Consistent Life Ethic

Don't know how much of a subscriber to it Pope Francis was as Cardinal, but it was strongly championed by the late Cardinal Bernadin of Chicago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consistent_life_ethic

[caraher]

9. Right

I make a strong distinction between the fetus-obsessed and those whose "pro-life" views do not end at birth.

[Orsino]

4. Contraceptives make a great defense, as do civil rights and equality.

How soon can he start?

[99Forever]

5. We'll see.

Talk is cheap and easy. Real world actions, not so much.

[Lionessa]

7. No we won't, he is as conservative as the last one, ie women are to be

vessels for men's sperm, pregnancy, and too many children, fathers/husbands abandoning them.

[99Forever]

8. Odds are that you are correct.

As unlikely as it might be, I hope you are wrong. We'll see.

[JDPriestly]

10. Thanks. Needed to be said.