Did the Pope visit the United States in part to influence the U.S. Presidential race in favor of John McCain?
That seems to be the conclusion of a large number of mainland Europeans.
This article from France’s Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, quoting French journalist V. Jauvert, points out, “Since April 16 – his birthday – Pope Benedict XVI has been in the United States for a rather long trip (for an old person): a week. And he didn’t go there just to blow out the candles on the cake offered by Dubya … The Pope is (subliminally) campaigning for J. McCain … the official visit of a Pope during a very tight election campaign is contrary to tradition. … this trip, beyond the spiritual and political, is a pretext to support the pro life candidate.’
Jauvert goes on to say that in 2004 before his elevation to the papacy, Cardinal Ratzinger wrote to American Bishops saying, “it’s not possible to defend the right to abortion and receive communion, and that therefore, those who vote for Kerry, who take communion each Sunday, “would be guilty of formal cooperation with the devil!”
By Iconoclaste
Translated By Kate Davis
April 19, 2008
France – Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien – Original Article (French)
Since April 16 – his birthday – Pope Benedict XVI has been in the United States for a rather long trip (for an old person): a week. And he didn’t go there just to blow out the candles on the cake offered by Dubya (what poor taste: St. Peter’s Basilica stuffed with chocolate, cream and fruit!), proof of the lack of culture on the part of our “friends” on the other side of the Atlantic. Hello indigestion!
[The last phrase “Hello indigestion!” reads in French: Bonjour la crise de foi(e)! This is a play on words using the French phrases crise de foie, which means indigestion, and crise de foi, which means crisis of faith].
The great reporter of the Nouvel Observateur, V. Jauvert, confirms for us on his blog: “The Pope is (subliminally) campaigning for J. McCain.” He tells us that the official visit of a Pope during a very tight election campaign is “contrary to tradition.” And this trip, beyond the spiritual and political, is a pretext to support the “pro life” candidate.
Indeed, American Catholics represent a significant, if not primary, segment of the electorate. Already in 2004, a majority supported Dubya (pushing him over the edge) because the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said to vote against the – Catholic! – candidate J. Kerry, who was in favor of abortion. At that time, the president of the Congregation was Cardinal J. Ratzinger, who became head of the Catholic Church a year later …
And the blogger notes: “He wrote an open letter to American bishops in which he stated that it’s not possible to defend the right to abortion and receive communion, and that therefore, those who vote for Kerry, who take communion each Sunday, “would be guilty of formal cooperation with the devil!”
One can do nothing but admit: this Pope is a reactionary Pope. Favoring certain traditionalist views (didn’t he celebrate a Tridentine [Latin] Mass a few weeks ago ? Doesn’t he say mass every morning in accordance with this rite?), he decided to reaffirm a certain doctrine, from before the time of Vatican II, that of Pius XII – the former Cardinal Siri – a former archbishop of Genoa who refused the papacy several times and was known for his uncompromising faith and his anticommunism.
It is visible in his accoutrements: he regularly reuses old habits [Papal robes], ancient rites, old models and antique furniture. In short, he prefers old things … He finds old to be beautiful. And under the guise of beauty, he renews ties to ancient Church tradition, to the dismay of large parts of the French church and the laity, who are often taken aback (not to mention angered or scandalized) by the decisions made by the sovereign Pontiff.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign press coverage of the U.S. election.
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