I fear for this Pope

[theHandpuppet]

131. Nice diversion

Let's get back to what I posted. That was just ONE recent example of the ongoing war against reproductive choice that continues to be led by the leadership of the church. Was it not made a big deal when Pope Francis stated that there was too much emphasis put on abortion and gay marriage? Or was that all words, while his minions continue to lobby against gay rights and reproductive rights with full steam ahead, right up to Capitol Hill here and indeed, around the world? Would you like more examples?
Is Francis the head of the church or is he not? Does his word mean nothing to the bishops and lobbyists because if so, he's little more than a figurehead and a photo prop. Supposedly his words can move mountains to stop wars and global poverty but he can't put a lid on bishops who perform exorcisms on a state for permitting gay marriage? He can move millions to help the poor but he cannot put an end to bigotry and misogyny by opening his mouth? Oh, that's right -- he has spoken on those issues, but not to end them. That's much too high a mountain to climb, unlike war and global poverty. And of course, as we all know, those who speak out against the bigotry of the church are complicit in perpetuating global poverty and armed conflict.
If the issue here was one of institutional racism, what timetable would you accept as reasonable for that dogma to change? The church has had a thousand years. How many more should be tolerable to those who are suffering under the oppression?
Who is telling women in third world countries they should be taking contraception? How do you turn an argument for reproductive rights into one where poor, third world women are forced to take birth control? The issue is one of CHOICE, the kind of autonomy many poor women in third world countries currently do not have and the lack of which contributes immeasurably to poverty and suffering.
Lastly, and I'm going to lift here what I wrote in another post in this thread: Just who can solve this dilemma?
That’s a bit like blaming the victim, isn’t it? If there are elements of the RW who are using these issues to divert attention way from the 1% as is claimed then whose fault is that? It’s certainly not the fault of the women and LGBT victims of the church’s dogma. The solution to these issues being used as a distraction is to address them, not tell the people who are being oppressed that by speaking out they are part of the problem. And the responsibility for that solution lies with the church and its leaders, including Pope Francis. It is the homophobic and misogynic dogma of the church that continues to create the real diversion and divisiveness. Eliminate the bigotry and you remove the possibility of those issues being used as a diversion. Simple, isn't it.