The New Pope and American Politics

The New Pope and American Politics
20 April 2005

The world has been watching with interest as the Vatican went through the motions of choosing a new Pope. Here in the U.S. many were hoping for a more liberal, let alone moderate choice than Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

At a time when religion has been thrust into seemingly every fiber of American Politics, not all Americans are comfortable with the vision of our country becoming a Theocracy. Contrary to popular right wing rumor, liberals are not anti-religion. We just tend to not wear our religion on our sleeve (as John Kerry said during his campaign), or feel the need to preach our spiritual beliefs to others, claiming that our God, our Religion is the only way. For truly, all paths lead to the same place.

Many will be watching over the coming weeks and months to see what direction the new Pope, Benedict XVI will lead the Vatican in and how that will affect American Politics. There are many speculations because it is widely known that Benedict XVI is a conservative in the manner of John Paul II. Our politicians must separate their religious views from their political decisions and votes, and understand that the constituencies they represent are those of many faiths, not just Christian faiths.

One can only hope that Benedict XVI, will not be as eager to thrust himself into the everyday politics of America as he did during the 2004 election. Although there appears to be some disagreement as to the actual interpretation of the letter quoted, it is certain American Bishops used this letter to deny certain Democrats, including John Kerry, communion. Regardless of his intention Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, should be held accountable as no one from the Vatican clearly objected. Such interference was not taken lightly by many Democrats in the Catholic Church, let alone those of other faiths in this country.

MORE & LINKS - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=753

So, yeah, it looks like the US has all but officially taken over the place....


http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=81713

Catholic News agencies are reporting that President Bush has named an Oklahoma businessman as the new ambassador to the Vatican.

Francis Rooney III owns Tulsa's Manhattan Construction and Hope Lumber.

Rooney will replace Jim Nicholson, who was named head of the Office of Veterans Affairs by the President.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6819145/site/newsweek

Who is Francis Rooney and why is his company spending the maximum $250,000 on next week’s inaugural festivities?

Rooney Holdings is a private investment firm based in Tulsa, Okla., that has emerged from nowhere to become one of the GOP’s biggest donors during the last election—upping its campaign contributions from just $11,000 during the 2002 cycle to more than $500,000 in 2004. Thanks to his fund-raising efforts, Rooney himself was among the few individuals named as both a Bush Ranger, having raised at least $200,000 for the president’s re-election, and a Super Ranger (among the elite donors who raised another $300,000 for the Republican National Committee).

Among Rooney’s holdings is Manhattan Construction, which has been contracted to build a portion of the new visitors’ center at the U.S. Capitol. The company’s interest in federal contracts has risen steeply, winning an estimated $100 million in Pentagon contracts in 2003 (up from $26 million in 2002), according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity

This is far more than a business relationship with the federal government. On Sept. 1, 2004, Rooney was among a five-person U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Colin Powell to the inauguration of Panamanian President Martin Torres. Two days later, on Sept. 3, Rooney Holdings contributed $100,000 to Progress for America, a Republican 527 group that is now promoting the president’s Social Security proposals.

Did we expect any less?