Newsweek: Obama More Catholic Than the Pope

Writing in Newsweek, dissident Catholic Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend (of American Catholicism's most prominent dissident Catholic clan) claims that Pope Benedict could learn a thing or two about the "real" Catholic faith (at least the variety as practiced here in the U.S.) ... from ... you guessed it ... the embodiment of the theological virtue of "Hope" itself ... President Barack H. Obama.

NewsBusters reports:

Newsweek took their criticism of Pope Benedict XVI to the next level on Thursday- not only did guest columnist Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend affirm that the pontiff could learn from President Obama (something Newsweek and their partners at the Washington Post agreed upon back in April), but also blasted the Bishop of Rome and the Catholic hierarchy for their supposed “disdain” towards women and homosexuals.

The former lieutenant governor of Maryland began her column, titled "Without a Doubt: Why Barack Obama represents American Catholics better than the pope does," with the context of the pope’s upcoming meeting with the American president, and how it was “much anticipated and in some circles frowned upon by American Catholics in the wake of Obama’s controversial Notre Dame commencement speech in May.” She then laid out her central thesis about these two leaders: “In truth, though, Obama’s pragmatic approach to divisive policy...and his social-justice agenda reflect the views of American Catholic laity much more closely than those vocal bishops and pro-life activists...[T]hey’ll politely disagree about reproductive freedoms and homosexuality, but Catholics back home won’t care, because they know Obama’s on their side. In fact, Obama’s agenda is closer to their views than even the pope’s.”

[More]

My Comments:
"Why Barack Obama represents American Catholics better than the Pope does"?

Does anyone doubt that Kennedy-Townsend's piece accurately reflects the sentiments of a huge segment (if not the majority) of the Catholic left in this country? It does, as The Cranky Conservative fecetiously pondered recently, make one "wonder who the Catholic Dems think should be kissing whose hands."

Not surprisingly, then, The Cranky Con has a little something to say about this story today.


(Hat tip: Creative Minority Report)


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Pope Hope I (a.k.a. "The Great")

Pope Greets "Hope"?

President Obama to Visit Vatican