This is Vice President JD Vance’s Face the Nation interview on Sunday, January 26. Go to minute 9:30 for the Catholic debate when the reporter asked about immigration and Catholic teaching. He makes a couple of major accusations about the misuse of government funds for immigration and the bishops not calling out the sex trafficking of young children, he says 300,000, who have entered the country via sex traffickers.
This public debate with insinuations not always backed up with facts and religious leaders going after sinners by name isn’t the way to go.
I would suggest that bishops deal with politicians who are in their dioceses privately and if they persist in leading people astray politically and otherwise to publicly excommunicate them. But I guess that is a form of deportation too!
14 comments:
Father McDonald,
No the bishops are on thin ice with what remains of their ever diminishing flocks under Pope Francis. I suggest you read this first before reaching any conclusions:
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2025/01/27/doesnt-margaret-brennan-realize-vance-will-eviscerate-her-every-time-n3799199
By the eay, Tom Homan, personally picked up a child rapist illegal alien in Chicago. Should Cupich go to bat for him?
Public trashing of democratically elected politicians, like President Biden by the political right and by those in the Church on the left and right, is a post Vatican II phenomenon. Pre-Vatican II Catholics would never trash publicly, the pope, bishops and priests/religious, although they may have approached them privately. They respected the offices of government (4th Commandment) and certainly the papacy and priesthood. So, TJM, you are truly a spirit of Vatican II Catholic. Congratulations and many will applaud your post-Vatican II spirit!
President Trump “Hitler” has been trashed more than any public figure I can think of so thanks for sharing your bias.Spirit of Vatican II Catholic, how puerile!
When our bishops stick their noses into public policy matters they should expect criticism from both sides of the aisle. Given Catholic Charities role in potentially trafficking of children I would advise them to lawyer up.
The spirit of Vatican II happens on the right and the left when we turn to politics and trash religious or political figures based on our politics. I suggest following Catholic teach, TJM, about faith, hope and love and the seamless garment of respect for human life. And to those politicians who don’t and religious leaders that disagree with your political affiliations and positions, respect and charity for them and certainly for their office. It’s that clear. Repenting of the spirit of Vatican II that leads people to caustic words and actions is needed, correct?
Father McDonald,
Then I guess you should stop making moral judgments about President Trump. As far as I know, it appears he has been faithful to his current wife, unlike Clinton, Kennedys etc.
There is nothing that JD Vance said that is disrespectful. Our bishops have not cloaked themselves in glory, beginning with the ham-handed implementation of Vatican II and their coverup of the clerical sexual scandals. And don't get me started on the current Pope. Just like I am not one of my "country right or wrong" Americans, I am not a Catholic who is "my Church right or wrong" Catholic. I guess Saint Catherine of Siena would not be welcome today.
TJM we are all spirit of Vatican II Catholics aren’t we. When we cast stones at each other our glass houses crack, especially in the political realm.
Well my last comment on this subject. For all of its faults, the Republican Party does not support intrinsic evils like the Democratic Party does. That is why so many normal people have walked away from them. And bishops and priests who support the Democratic Party are morally bankrupt.
In regard to certain recent comments by Vice President Vance, as well as Tom Homan:
Pope Francis, as well as our (United States) bishops, are on firm ground in regard to their defense and promotion of Church teaching related to immigrants/refugees.
During our time (20th Century to date), our Popes, in line with ancient Biblical teachings, have insisted upon mercy and humane care for immigrants/refugees.
Examples:
-- In 1947 A.D., Pope Venerable Pius XII addressed Members of the United States Senate of the Committee on Immigration:
Pope Venerable Pius XII recognized that a nation must safeguard its welfare. Nevertheless, he added that "by the same token circumstances at time will almost cry out for an easing of the application of that law. Wise legislation will ever be conscious of humanity and the calamities, distress and woes to which it is heir."
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In 2008 A.D., Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States. During said visit, he was denounced for his having called for the merciful treatment of immigrants/refugees within America.
Pope Benedict XVI had highlighted, for example, the horrific consequences related to the separation of immigrant/refugee families.
-- Tancredo slams pope on immigration
WASHINGTON — As thousands packed into a Washington, D.C., stadium to see Pope Benedict XVI, U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo attacked the pontiff for statements about immigration.
Tancredo, a Littleton (Colorado) Republican, accused the pope of welcoming illegal immigrants to the U.S. in order to build membership in the church.
“I suspect the pope’s immigration comments may have less to do with spreading the gospel than they do about recruiting new members of the church,” Tancredo said.
“This isn’t preaching; it is faith-based marketing.”
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-- Pope Speaks Up for Immigrants, Touching a Nerve
Apr 20, 2008 — Pope Benedict XVI spoke of protecting immigrant families, not dividing them. He raised the issue again in a meeting on Wednesday with President Bush.
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-- Pope's U.S. trip stirred immigration debate
April 20, 2008. NEW YORK — Even as he was flying to the United States last week, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of protecting immigrant families, not dividing them.
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Deo gratias that Pope Francis/our bishops, in line with Popes of our time, have promoted the rights/humane treatment of immigrants/refugees. In that regard, may such Catholics as Vice President Vance, embrace Pope Francis, as well as our bishops in communion with His Holiness.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Do you have reading comprehension issues? The Catholic Church does not sanction illegal immigration and currently has tightened its own immigration policies at the Vatican where you can be thrown into the slammer for violating them.
Vance only “eviscerated” Margaret Brennan because she was not briefed sufficiently to counter Vance’s misinformation (charitable explanation) or lies (uncharitable explanation).
Two cases in point:
(1) Vance asserted, as has Trump, that the United States is the only country to allow birthright citizenship to those who are not at least the children of permanent residents. This is total rubbish. See:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-with-birthright-citizenship
https://constitutioncenter.org/rights/world.php?a=22th&b=VE
(2) Vance justified the refusal to admit Afghan refugees on the ground that an Afghan, let into the country in 2021, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, was an ISIS sympathizer who was planning a terrorist attack. True enough. But there is a vital distinction. Tawhedi entered the United States under a totally different program in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, NOT under the extremely carefully vetted refugee program. So, apples and oranges.
Vance is a very smooth talker (expected from a Yale Law School graduate). Listen very carefully and you will notice not only the misleading statements but also all the weasel words he uses to give him a basis for plausible deniability if later confronted with apparent inconsistencies.
I will not even attempt to catalogue the legion of lies told by Trump in just his first week. But here is one egregious example:
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2025/jan/24/donald-trump/donald-trump-goes-too-far-in-claim-that-jan-6-comm/
Did Biden lie? Did Harris? Do other politicians? Yes, absolutely. But no-one can come even close to Trump. Unless and until we all commit ourselves to practicing and demanding honesty and truth-telling, and combat the intrinsic evil of lying, our Republic is doomed. Catholics everywhere should stand up and demand respect for the Commandment not to bear false witness.
Mark J.
My previous comment concluded as follows:
"Deo gratias that Pope Francis/our bishops, in line with Popes of our time, have promoted the rights/humane treatment of immigrants/refugees. In that regard, may such Catholics as Vice President Vance, embrace Pope Francis, as well as our bishops in communion with His Holiness."
I had forgotten to add Mister Tom Homan to the the above final sentence.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
With Father McDonald's permission:
-- Papal Messages for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees
https://www.cliniclegal.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/Papal%20Messages%20for%20the%20World%20Day%20of%20Migrants%20and%20Refugees.pdf
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With Father McDonald's permission:
-- Papal Messages for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees
https://www.cliniclegal.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/Papal%20Messages%20for%20the%20World%20Day%20of%20Migrants%20and%20Refugees.pdf
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The above lists each Papal message in question from 1996 A.D., to 2022 A.D.
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In regard to the immigration issue: Tom Homan attempted to portray Pope Francis as two-faced as His Holiness lives behind walls. Pope Francis, in regard to the issue in question, has taught in line, for example, with his two immediate predecessors.
By extension, Tom Homan's nasty attempt to defame Pope Francis applies also to Popes Benedict XVI, as well as Saint John Paul II. Holy Popes Benedict XVI, as well as Saint John Paul II, lived behind the Vatican's walls.
Therefore, that rendered as two-faced Popes Benedict XVI's, as well as Saint John Paul II's, holy, unwavering, defense of immigrants/refugees, according to Tom Holman's logic.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Here' s what the adults have to say to our resident leftists:
1) Please cite me the authority for the Catholic Church sanctioning illegal immigration.
2) Provide a critique of the Vatican's strict immigration rules and why the Vatican is not being hypocritical in singling out the US.
3) Speaking of "nasty" that is Pope Francis' stock and trade, so Homan had a great example of nasty from the very head of the Church. Even Father McDonald has criticized the Pope's penchant for nastiness and name calling.
4) The US has a duty to protect its citizens and has every right to vet dangerous illegal aliens. There have been countless news reports of illegal aliens engaging in sex trafficking of children (apparently the US Bishops have no concern about that as they had no concerns about recycling predator priests and even made some of them cardinals, like McCarrick, until it broke the bank) as well as raping, murdering, and robbing US citizens, that is why we have the Laken Law.
5) The Holy Family followed the law, that is why St. Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem so they could be counted in the census) and our Lord famously said to "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are Gods). So a little Bible 101 is something our bishops should consider for themselves before making their ludicrous pronouncements.
6) Lefties never consider the consider the financial strain on State and local budgets that illegal aliens cause which diverts funds that could be used to assist US citizens and keep taxes down for waiters, waitresses, cabdrivers, et. By the way guys, how many illegal aliens are you housing, feeding, and educating on YOUR dime, or do you prefer the taxpayers to do your "charity" giving for you?
7) Most countries require immigrants to be self-sufficient when migrating to their country. I know Switzerland has an extremely high net worth requirement before you are allowed to settle there because a relative of mine tried it.
8). The Pope and the bishops instead of focusing on the "evil" US should be demanding that the countries of the illegal aliens' origins take care of its own people and promote "social justice" and a living wage there. Maybe the Vatican can provide foreign aid to those countries to make them better places to live so they are not forced and try to barge into the US to live off of taxpayers there.
9) With regard to Margaret Brennan, a Democrat operative masquerading as a journalist, please provide examples of the hardball interviews and tough questions she posed to Democratic politicians. FYI, she should never ask questions she does not know the answer to, which is generally a good way to practice journalism. Perhaps she was "unprepared" because she is simply a lefty shill who cannot think out of her cult's box.
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