I've seen in first hand. To the God-fearing, church going, Catholic family I married into, what is said on right wing radio is more true, more believable and certainly more right than anything Pope Francis says ...
and he's infallible.... or not.
I love my family. The one I grew up in and the one I married into. Ours is a mixed faith marriage. Some amount of theological curiosity on both sides. I grew up liberal also and that isn't the way it is down there. When I visit my in-laws, there aren't many places for agreement on politics. So we do what families do -- tread lightly on the issues of the day or side step them all together. But I do like to engage gently on important matters and I happened to be as crazy in love with the Pope as the next guy. Especially when he released his exhortation and told the truth about the consequences of capitalism.
So I fly on down there, papers in hand, aflutter with excitement about this new obvious place for agreement among all family members -- church goers and stay-at-homers were ready for the big kumbaya. The church goers are two or three times a week folks and they embrace their faith and their Lord and their Lord's servant on earth with a true beauty and abandon.
Time to dive in:
"I love this Pope", says I
(silence.)
"Man, I am really liking this Pope",
(Throat clears....)
"Don't you guys love the Pope?"
Well, yes and no.
"He really shouldn't be attacking America" comes the reply
"Hold it, hold it. He never attacked America. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on and I have never heard him attack America. Can you please explain?"
"Well. He attacked capitalism and we are the number one capitalist country so when you attack capitalism you are attacking our country"
And on it went.
Me: "But isn't the Pope infallible?"
Them: "Only on matters of faith"
Me: "So he's wrong about everything else"?
Them: "Only when he attacks America"
Me: He didn't attack America.
Them: "Yes he did. He attacked America and that is wrong."
Me: "No he didn't"
Them: "Yes he did. We heard it on the radio"
It ought not be so easy to get between a person and their faith. But Rush and Sean sure do appreciate how very easy it can be.
Pass the mashed potatoes.