Pretty much all of the prominent voices who supported the Iran War assured us it would be over by now. None of them will admit they were wrong. Even less will they admit that their initial assurances were based on nothing but their own wishcasting. This whole shitshow has been an enormous waste of time and resources and our country has not benefited from it at all. Its advocates have moved the goal posts repeatedly and have even to this day refused to clearly articulate what constitutes a victory and how we’ll know that it’s been achieved.
Of all the things I’ve said in defense of unpopular Catholic moral teachings over the years – on abortion, sexuality, social doctrine, or what have you – I don’t think anything has generated more undiluted hostility and unreasoning, spittle-flecked rage than what I’ve said against intentionally killing civilians and obliterating civilian infrastructure during wartime. It is truly extraordinary. I never would have guessed it. Make of it what you will.
“The peasantry (who we intend you to be) should be deferent and subservient to their ruling class (who we intend to be). You should allow us to be decadent and immoral provided we make life ‘better.’”
The Founders gave us explicit instructions on what to do to people like you
Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. #ApostolicJourney#Cameroon https://t.co/bKteFZ3iWE
I find the timing of the attacks on the Pope and the Catholic Church to be very interesting.
Not a week after we're seeing headlines about a "worldwide renewal" in the Church, massive uptick in adult conversions, etc - a major controversy begins?
Psyop territory if you ask me.
MAGA has been successfully allied with conservative Catholics for the better part of a decade now, but the minute that the Supreme Pontiff (validly) rejects the war with Iran that the American political class has been hysterically hungry for for decades -- we're OUT. A line's been drawn, and MAGA / MIGA doesn't want us anymore.
Seems as if the old alliances formed when the Church was in decline were predicated largely on the continued decline of the Church. Now that we're growing again with no signs of stopping, The Powers That Be seem very interested in sowing doubt amongst right-leaning American Catholics. Perhaps they're getting nervous.
I mean just log into Facebook and note the continuous stream of paid ads from various "conservative Catholic" news sites with headlines about the "woke" Pope, etc, as well as paid ads from Evangelical Pastors railing against Pope Leo's temperate and deeply Christian call for peace in the Middle East.
The sad thing is that many American Catholics will probably fall for what is very likely a minefield of infohazards, psyops, and malicious rhetorical attempts to discredit the Church.
The "LifeSiteNews" crowd appears to be all too willing to take their cues from Trump well before they'd take them from the Holy Father in Rome. This in spite of the fact that Trump is not Catholic, pro-IVF, weak on abortion, pro gay marriage, and unrepentantly twice-divorced.
People forget that MOST of what you read on here is curated by powerful media interests. We all log in to "hang out" in a minefield full of psyops, and after so many years here, you can pretty clearly tell when the winds have changed.
Statement From Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly:
In recent days, many Catholics and other people of goodwill have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV by the President of the United States. The Successor of Saint Peter is not a politician — he is the Vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls.
The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division, but to unity, not to conflict, but to peace. In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction.
At the same time, we recognize that faithful Catholics can and do engage vigorously in the public square, and that nations have a right and duty to safeguard the security of their own people — always in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace. The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life, but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good.
Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering. The Holy Father’s words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself. Whether one agrees or disagrees with particular policy judgments, the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously.
As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens. I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it. And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse. May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict, but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a response to JD Vance's comments about Pope Leo XIV:
'For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed’
That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.
When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars'
Let us reject the logic of violence and war, and embrace peace founded on love and justice—an unarmed peace, not based on fear, threats or weapons. This peace is disarming, because it is capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts, and generating trust, empathy, and hope. I strongly reiterate: The world thirsts for #Peace! Enough of war and all the pain it causes through death, destruction, and exile! #ApostolicJourney #Cameroon