Pope and POTUS

President Obama paid his respects to the Russian versions of Bergen and McCarthy and caused a small stir at the G8 by appearing to ogle the backside of a young Brazilian girl (he didn’t but French President Nicholas Sarkozy definitely did; ah, the French). Now the POTUS is on his way to Ghana after having taken a trip to the Vatican for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. The two allegedly discussed abortion and embryonic stem cell research—obviously from opposing viewpoints. As an opening salvo, the pope gave the president a book on bioethics.  

One wonders whether the pontiff also slipped a copy of Instruction on Certain Aspects of the Theology of Liberation-–authored by one Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger--to Black Liberation Theology’s most famous adherent. 

An excerpt therefrom: 

...it would be illusory and dangerous to ignore the intimate bond which radically unites them (liberation theologies), and to accept elements of the marxist analysis without recognizing its connections with the (Marxist) ideology, or to enter into the practice of the class-struggle and of its marxist interpretation while failing to see the kind of totalitarian society to which this process slowly leads. 

 (Emphasis mine.)

I wouldn’t doubt that this pope just happened to slip his 1984 repudiation of Liberation Theologies in with the gifts.

Speaking of Defenders of the Faith, my dad—the American one--is on a mission. One might call it a Crusade. Dad—a Methodist pastor—has made it his business to confront other black Christian pastors on their generalized failure to instruct their flocks regarding the evil of abortion and its role in the physical, moral and spiritual destruction of Americans who happen to be black.  Please pray for him.

Comments

[Loxodonta solitarius]

Inter-denominational commentary can be difficult. But you are very thoughtful, clear and respectful. Thanks for posting this.

When he's not discussing lofty ideas and values, Pope Benedict XVI often gives me the sense he is a bit impish. And I can just imagine the little smile on his face as he delivered his surprise gift to the President.

Conveying a message that others don't want to hear can be very frustrating. Your father is in my prayers, as well as his audience. God bless your father's heart.

[baldilocks]

"impish"

LOL.

Thanks for the words about my dad.

[Mike]

I hope your Dad is successful.

[Mike]

Oh, and forgot to inquire (or even search), but I wonder what gift O gave to the Pope. I am just curious to see if he has learned anything about gifting diplomatically (yet).

[Kwongdzu]

but I wonder what gift O gave to the Pope.

A Darwin fish decal for the back of the Popemobile.

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And, yes ... success to your father and a safe return home!

[baldilocks]

"safe return home"

Thanks! That prayer has already been answered in the affirmative. :)