The one who campaigned as the candidate of hope (how's that Obama vote workin' for ya?) and the one called pope will soon be meeting for a sit-down.
CNS has the story:
Pope Benedict XVI will welcome U.S. President Barack Obama to the Vatican July 10 for an audience scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.-ConcordPastor
...
Discussions between popes and U.S. presidents usually focus on common concerns regarding world events and the church's concerns over issues or policies with special moral relevance. So in addition to discussing ongoing tensions in the Middle East, especially the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the situation in Iraq, Pope Benedict likely will bring up his concerns regarding abortion policy in the United States and renewed government permission for embryonic stem-cell research.
(Read the complete report)
Hmmmm....I wonder if there will be as much of an uproar because the Pope invited Obama to sit and talk with him as there was over the Notre Dame issue. I hope not - I support(ed) both events - let's just TALK to eachother!!
ReplyDeleteNOT that I'm looking to stir up that hornets' nest again, but... the analogy here limps a bit. If ND President Jenkins had invited US President Obama to come simply for tea and a chat, I doubt there would have been an uproar. I wouldn't expect Obama to accept such an invitation but it's just the kind of exchange I would whole heartedly support.
ReplyDeleteTo the best of my knowledge, the pope is not inviting the POTUS to speak at the Vatican nor to become an honorary Knight of Malta.
NCR Editor Tom Fox June 22 interviewed Jesuit Father Thomas Reese about a meeting between the pope and the U.S. president.
ReplyDeletehttp://ncronline.org/news/podcasts/jesuit-sees-convergence-us-vatican-policies
My Obama vote is working very well for me. Thank you for asking! At least I had a chance to vote for HOPE, not so for POPE!
ReplyDeleteRosemary
Amen to Rosemary's comment.
ReplyDeleteThis Mamma for Obama is very pleased with her vote and thinks the meeting of the minds in the Vatican will be fruitful.
With his academic background it's hard to imagine that Pope Benedict will not enjoy the discussion, and this Pope is very persuasive in his own right.
However, he's bound to be looking for areas of common agreement and ways to work together for good, not necessarily striving to win a debate or show off how he's right and those who don't agree are wrong. hhhmmmm, perhaps a lesson to be learned there...??
Respectful dialogue and debate are both a part of an active democracy. I applaud Mr. Obama for promoting that openness. For Catholics, I would also add witness to the Truth. Christ as the Logos of the Father leads us to the Truth. As people of faith, we can neither deny or abandon it. I pray that we as a Church unabashedly witness God's Truth with humility and charity.
ReplyDeleteLoved the comments from Rosemary and Shiny Objects! Hmmm....my vote for Pope - very interesting to ponder. I would love to begin by having lay people vote for Bishops! Anyway, I think it is great that the Pope and President meet and chat....oh to be a fly on the wall with CP. Talking and getting together is always a good thing. Many prayers will be with them.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's not an easy mix to master, I trust that the pope will have the pastoral sensitivity to "witness unabashedly, with humility and charity."
ReplyDeleteMany Catholics seem to excel at witnessing unabashedly; it's in the departments of humility and charity that we are sometimes found lacking. In fact, there are those Catholics who believe that on particular topics, humillity and charity are signs not of virtue but of weakness.
I trust without a moment's hesitation that the pope will give us good example here.
Thank you to Rosemary and Shiny Objects! My vote for Obama is working out just fine thank you. I must admit I was disappointed in the flippant tone of the question.
ReplyDeleteLike you said CP, HOPE for Obama was just a campaign theme. What it turned out to be is a sad case of "The Emperor Has No Clothes". In my opinion, the Pope offers any real HOPE and it would behoove Obama to listen to him and not use this event as another campaign strategy for his reelection as in the case of ND.
ReplyDeleteLost in the disappointment of anonymous tonalities, a blogger sometimes succumbs to flippancy.
ReplyDeleteThe succumbing, however, was personally refreshing and provided a moment of respite.
I am always encouraged and refreshed when there is any avenue for open dialogue and discussion that includes Catholic Church leadership. I only wish it ocurred more often between Church leadership and the laity. Open dialogue and discussion has not been our strong suit.
ReplyDeleteI will be anxious to hear the fruits of the President Obama/Pope Benedict dialogue. So far I too am happy with my Obama vote.
CP, I am glad that you had a moment of respite. You certainly deserve one!
ReplyDeleteRosemary