For the Catholic Church Divorce has always been a huge no-no. Of course, in this country in particular there are aspects of church doctrine that priests at the Parish level overlook even if the Vatican, or the Conference of Catholic Bishops refuse to sanction certain things. Like Catholics using birth control, being gay, or even if they can’t conduct an official “Sanctioned by the Church” wedding because one or both of the couple have been divorced. From every Pope on down Divorce is a bad thing. Yet, despite using different terminology like “breakup” the plain fact is that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced a DIVORCE with the Trump Administration and U.S. Government. Not for nothing, but I’m sure they wouldn’t have made as big a public deal about their decision without the Pope’s advance knowledge and more importantly blessing.
So you ask just what has happened? As this article from Deseret News tell us the Catholic Church in the U.S. has been reeling pretty much from the start of this second Trump administration. The Church has partnered with the U.S. for a half-century helping resettle refugees and provide other humanitarian relief. That as you know simply doesn’t line up with the “Being Cruel Is The Point” beliefs of Trump, Musk, and in general the Republican Party. Especially when it comes to aid to those overseas. That the help we’ve provided has fostered incalculable good will over all that time is a concept they just can’t accept. That’s a long subject to discuss so I’ll not get into it here other than what I just wrote.
The thing is, just as countries around the world are tired of Trump’s attitude and telling him to ‘get stuffed’ now he’s got the freaking Catholic Church telling him to stick his hateful, cruel attitudes and policies where the sun don’t shine!
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, announced the change in a press release and Washington Post column on Monday, arguing that the Trump administration forced his denomination’s hand.
“The bishops’ decision came after the federal government suspended our cooperative agreements to resettle refugees. The drastic reduction of these programs forced us to reconsider the best way to serve the needs of our brothers and sisters seeking safe harbor from violence and persecution,” he wrote for The Washington Post.
After Trump froze funds for refugee resettlement back in January the Catholic Church did what others have done. Take up the matter in court. However as with other groups that actually help people in need the suffering, and even dying continues while judges take their sweet-assed time indulging Trump who as we know is a master at milking the court system to drag things out. Even, hell especially when he has a losing hand. Well, the Bishops have decided they can’t wait and have taken action to free themselves up to start doing actual good, humanitarian work again:
“The work simply cannot be sustained at current levels or in its current form with only the church’s resources. I have been praying for the impacted refugees, but I would also ask that you join me in praying for the many dedicated staffers who have selflessly carried out this work,” Archbishop Broglio said.
The linked article provides a good overview of how long the work has been going on, and how fifty years ago partnering with the U.S. government expanded that work. It’s not a long article and worth your time. But I’m writing tonight because just as governments around the world know Trump, and the U.S. can no longer be counted on as a reliable partner the Catholic Church has joined them. Come to think of it since I mentioned the Pope and his having had to have signed off on this the Vatican is an actual country with full U.N. diplomatic privileges. I wonder if since they are a country Trump has, or now will decide to slap THEM with tariffs!
Look, I’ve had my share of issues with the Catholic Church in my life. But I’ve had plenty of good friends who’ve been Catholic and back in my hometown an old priest and the nun who was honcho at the local hospital took a liking to me. The thing I’ve always actually admired about the Catholic Church is their willingness to go wherever, and provide comfort and aid to any group who needed help. AND, unlike say missionaries of shall we say an Evangelical bent the Catholic care providers don’t require attendance at bible study or church service to give out a meal, or clothing or provide shelter!
But the Catholic Church is going to keep doing this kind of work. They could do more if not for Trump but can’t sit back and do nothing while things play out in court. So, call it what you will but basically the Conference of Catholic Bishops, the freaking CATHOLIC CHURCH has just filed for divorce. Against Trump, and to an extent the country which had multiple chances to send him to political oblivion at the ballot box and failed to do so.
***** Zoomers, if you can spare a bit of green energy to help us on our endless mission through cyberspace, reporting on all this madness, we would be grateful. All proceeds go to pay overhead, so we can stay in the game. And thank you most of all for coming here to read. You are the wind beneath our wings. Ursula *****
