UNITED STATES
Christian Catholicism

Jerry Slevin

Pope Francis has recently stepped up significantly his already strong efforts to protect the Catholic hierarchy from basic international laws and any democratic oversight.

Of course, Francis is trying to avoid both the long reach to the Vatican of Australia’s Royal Commission now investigating Cardinal Pell’s alleged abuse cover-ups, as well as increasing calls for a comparable US Presidential Commission under President Obama.

And seemingly of equal importance are Francis’ and his US bishops’ relentless efforts via anti-Obamacare contraception insurance and anti-gay marriage crusades to help their “low tax” billionaire buddies preserve a right wing US Supreme Court majority by electing a Republican US Senate majority in November. Both of these majorities will also likely be “friendlier” to some US bishops who are increasingly expected to end up in US federal bankruptcy and criminal courts. In a non-Presidential election year, Francis’ push may…