Many Catholics, especially conservative ones, obviously arenâ??t thrilled with the popeâ??s new encyclical. I find myself once again spending a lot of time explaining to non-Catholics why the current pope is either not a Marxist or is being yet again misunderstood for the 999th time. Frankly, Iâ??ve lost most of my credibility with these folks, who surely see me as a hopelessly blind Catholic.
This constant defense-mode has been unique in the case of this particular pope. Sure, much of the fault is with those looking to remake this pope and this Church in their own image, and Iâ??d even add (in Francis-like thinking) that the Devil himself has made a mess of things. Yet, much of it is absolutely the popeâ??s own doing, as Francis is the master of the imprecise word and off-the-cuff sloppy statement. Heâ??and theyâ??keep us faithful Catholics busy. All of which brings me to the new encyclical on â??climate change.â?
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