I dont understand why liberals started a love affair with the Pope, and now I don't understand

[cally]

36. Because income inequality and climate change are critical

and this Pope will make a difference on these issues. i never expected this Pope to support gay marriage or abortion rights but American Catholics have ignored Catholic teachings on these issues for decades. But the right has co-opted Christianity and allowed voices on climate change and income inequality be silenced based on social issues. This Pope is raising these issues to the forefront of national attention.

If I was a political operative for a major corporation, I would immediately bring up the anti-gay rights and anti-women's equality of the Catholic Church over and over. Return the focus to these issues to silence voices on income inequality and the crisis of climate change. It divides us and prevents us from making coalitions that can affect change. We can join together on the issues we do agree on and make change.

Focusing on social issues is a right wing tactic. I don't think the Catholic Church teachings on birth control or GLBT rights is important to most of us including many American Catholics.