PopeWatch: He Hates America First

Father Weinandy at The Catholic Thing notes the hostility that the Pope has for the Church in America:

Thus, is McElroy, for Pope Francis, a living concrete example of where the Spirit leading the Church?  It would appear to many that he is, and if this appearance is true, then Francis has not only insulted Archbishop Gómez and the American hierarchy, but also, without intending to, the faithful American Catholic laity.

Many, if not most, of the laity are not aware of the ecclesial, theological, and political significance of papal appointments.  They presume that the universal Church is being governed properly. Their primary concern revolves around the needs and life of their local parishes.

The faithful Catholic laity, who live, champion, and defend the Church’s teaching are also most often those who are most active in their parishes and other Catholic organizations.  They are on the front lines of the pro-life movement, the food pantries and soup kitchens, the advancement of Catholic schools and education, the fostering of racial and ethnic equality, and members of their parish councils.

It is precisely their traditional Catholic faith that inspires and motivates them to be so ardently active.  Although many are unaware of the ecclesial implications of a so-called “progressive” bishop being raised to the College of Cardinals, such appointments do not represent this faithful Catholic laity.  Thus, it appears, unbeknownst to them, that they have been slighted by the McElroy appointment.

The heart of the problem may be that Pope Francis’s seeming distaste for the American Catholic Church is founded upon a misconception.  Because the United States is the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, one gets the impression at times that Francis perceives it as being selfish and bullying.  There may be some truth to this, but the American Catholic Church, as I have attempted to demonstrate above, is hardly selfish and bullying.

Rather, it is, on the whole, most generous and caring.  Moreover, the American Catholic Church as such is not aligned with any particular powerful political party or any class of wealthy and prestigious elite – the media or industry.  Actually, it is the more “progressive” Catholics, clergy and laity alike, who are in league with the formidable liberal, and often anti-Catholic agenda active within mainstream American culture.

One would expect Pope Francis to be pleased and proud of the American Catholic Church for being such a vibrant bulwark against such a secular gospel.  Yet, he seems to perceive it as a hindrance and foe to his own itinerary, and so he appoints men to prominent ecclesial positions who are of like mind to his own.

Archbishop Gómez, and other bishops of his caliber, will probably never be made cardinals by the pope.  They, nonetheless, humbly remain faithful shepherds who proclaim, defend, and promote the apostolic faith.  And for this we can give thanks.

Go here to read the rest.  Heckuva job Conclave of 2013, heckuva job.