The "EveryBody" Insider
Communicating the Concerns of Black People

Pope/Bush on Politics and Morality
By Bahati Osayimwese

Roman Catholic Pope John Paul II and U.S. President George Bush share common ground in defending the definition of marriage and opposing abortion. The two leaders have recently come out almost simultaneously to condemn arguments for and movements to expand the legal meaning of marriage. 

In addition, both leaders have continued to use his power and influence to oppose abortion. On two big moral issues of abortion and marriage the pair cooperate while articulating harmonious views which are politically and theologically to their liking.

The partnership in supporting their allies and combating their foes on the battlefield of moral conflict shows that the President and the Pope two need each other in times like this. They wish to maintain multinational support for their views. And, they wish to divert negative attention to the problem areas within their political and theological backyards.

The biggest political issue facing Bush is the War in Iraq or rebuilding of Iraq. With soldiers and civilians dying I'm not certain that it is respectful to consider the "war" over with. In addition to the Dixie Chicks and a host of other entertainers, activists, countries, and politicians opposing the war there was the Pope. Pope John Paul II also opposed to the war and tried to appeal for a peaceful resolution to the issue of Iraq's alleged illegal weapons. However, the Pope did not go as far as too embarrass Bush nor to belittle him nor to raise a huge stink about it. The Pope sort of counseled Tareq Aziz, former Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq who happens to be Chaldean Catholic, before the war. The Pope also counseled British Prime Minister Tony Blair before the war; and, he met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell after the war. The Pope was in the loop on discussing the war by having the leaders of the world come to his front door in the Vatican to discuss the matter.

Pope John Paul II opposed the war. But, you would think that only the French, Russians, and Germans were in opposition from some of the discussions around you. The psyche was so attuned to displeasure with the French that I was jolted by my co-workers for requesting Perrier mineral water at a special team dinner. "Perrier! That's French. What are you doing ordering a French drink?", they half-jokingly-half-seriously asked. At least a few of those folks were Catholic; but, they did not make the connection that THE mortal leader of their church also opposed the war. The reason that the Pope's opposition was not as well ingrained in their consciousness was due to the fact that the Pope did not come out as vocally against the war as he does about abortion and the definition of marriage. 

When the Pope agrees with Bush's position he tends to speak a little louder. When the Pope disagrees with Bush he tends to speak a little softer.

The biggest political issue facing the Pope is the scandal of clergy abusing the young and vulnerable over decades and centuries within the Roman Catholic Church. Bush visited the Pope in the early part of 2002 when the news of the scandal was highly visible in the media. Neither leader cares to say much publicly about that particular problem. Both would prefer that the problem be solved as quickly and painlessly as possible. Bush does not criticize the Pope for incompetence in resolving the serious matter. Bush instead shows patience and concern while waiting quietly on the sidelines for the issue to resolve itself.

There is a recently revealed document that came purportedly from some secret place in the Vatican. The document directs the manner in which cases of solicitation for sex in the confessional by clergy was to be handled. The cases were to be handled in secrecy under strict guidelines. The secrecy or "seal of the Holy Office" was spoken of. The Holy Office is the former name for The Inquisition. The document was published in Latin in March 1962. An English translation has been prepared by Catholic Air Force Chaplain, Fr. Tom Doyle, a former Vatican insider. 

This document is some 39 pages in length also defines "the worst crime" which is the crime of abuse by clergy of the youth of either gender or relations with member of the same gender. The document could be a "smoking gun" in that it describes that bishops in the U.S. were instructed by the Vatican to hold secret the abuse of children by clergy and to shuffle troublesome priests to different areas. Some experts suggest that a federal investigation be undertaken to determine whether violation of U.S. conspiracy or organized crime laws had occurred.

The old 1962 document even if authentic has been replaced by the more recent document published in November of 2002 after the U.S. Bishops met to approve the recommendations of a joint U.S./Vatican Mixed Commission.

Bush and Attorney General Ashcroft have not even flinched to investigate the clergy abuse scandal and potential conspiracy charges. Bush speaks loudly when he agrees with the Pope and softly if he disagrees with him or when he fears that his speaking may hurt the Pope.

In summary, the U.S. troops continue to search for the "smoking gun" or "weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq which justified the Bush policy to lead the war which the Pope softly opposed. The potential "smoking gun" in the church scandal goes unmentioned by Bush as both Pope and Bush scream about the definition of marriage and continue to collaborate in opposing abortion. Bush would not dare risk upsetting the Roman Catholic electorate in the upcoming election year.

And, the Pope would not dare upset Bush with that possibility of criminal charges against Catholic bishops lurking around.

When President Bush and Pope John Paul II are in unison they speak loudly. When either is vulnerable the other tends to speak softly if at all.