Rush Limbaugh: Pope is preaching pure Marxism By Daniel Burke, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor (CNN) – Pope Francis: Successor to St. Peter ... the peoples pontiff ... Marxist? Thats what conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh suggests, calling the Popes latest document pure Marxism. Limbaugh blasted the pontiff on Wednesday, a day after Francis released Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), a 50,000-word statement that calls for church reform and castigates elements of modern capitalism. Limbaughs segment, now online and entitled Its Sad How Wrong Pope Francis Is (Unless Its a Deliberate Mistranslation By Leftists), takes direct aim at the popes economic views, calling them dramatically, embarrassingly, puzzlingly wrong. The Vatican issued the English translation of Evangelii, which is known officially as an apostolic exhortation and unofficially as a pep talk to the worlds 1.5 billion Catholics. Francis – the first pope ever to hail from Latin America, where he worked on behalf of the poor in his native Argentina – warned in Evangelii that the idolatry of money would lead to a new tyranny. The Pope also blasted trickle-down economics, saying the theory expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power. READ MORE: Pope Francis: No more business as usual The Popes critique of capitalism thrilled many liberal Catholics, who have long called on church leaders to spend more time and energy on protecting the poor from economic inequalities. But Limbaugh, whose program is estimated to reach 15 million listeners, called the Popes comments sad and unbelievable. Its sad because this pope makes it very clear he doesnt know what hes talking about when it comes to capitalism and socialism and so forth. In fact, Argentina was a battlefield between leftist socialists and right-wing security forces during much of Francis early career in the country, where he was a Jesuit priest and later archbishop of Buenos Aires. Limbaugh, who is not Catholic, said he admires the faith profoundly. He admired Pope Francis as well, up until this, Limbaugh said. The talk show host also said that he has made numerous visits to the Vatican, which he said wouldnt exist without tons of money. But regardless, what this is, somebody has either written this for him or gotten to him, Limbaugh added. This is just pure Marxism coming out of the mouth of the Pope. Limbaugh took particular issue with the Popes criticism of the culture of prosperity, which the pontiff called a mere spectacle for the many people who cant afford to participate. This is almost a statement about who should control financial markets, Limbaugh said. He says that the global economy needs government control. Im not Catholic, but I know enough to know that this would have been unthinkable for a pope to believe or say just a few years ago, Limbaugh continued. In fact, Francis predecessor, Benedict XVI, now pope emeritus, could be just as strong a critic of capitalism. In 2009, Benedict, in an official church document called an encyclical, said there was an urgent need for a political, juridical and economic order that would manage the global economy. As Limbaugh notes, Benedicts predecessor, the late Pope John Paul II, was a noted foe of communism, after living under its oppressions in his native Poland. But even John Paul thought that unregulated capitalism could have negative consequences. In Evangelii, Francis called for more of a spiritual and ethical revolution than a regulatory one. I encourage financial experts and political leaders to ponder the words of one of the sages of antiquity: `Not to share one’s wealth with the poor is to steal from them and to take away their livelihood. It is not our own goods which we hold, but theirs, said Francis, quoting the fifth-century St. John Chrysostom. Liberal Catholics defended Pope Francis on Monday, calling on Limbaugh to apologize and retract his remarks. To call the Holy Father a proponent pure Marxism is both mean-spirited and naive, said Christopher Hale of the Washington-based Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Franciss critique of unrestrained capitalism is in line with the Churchs social teaching. Limbaugh is not the only conservative commentator to take issue with the Popes views on capitalism. READ MORE: Sarah Palin taken aback by Pope Franciss liberal statements “I go to church to save my soul, said Fox News Stuart Varney, who is an Episcopalian. It’s got nothing to do with my vote. Pope Francis has linked the two. He has offered direct criticism of a specific political system. He has characterized negatively that system. I think he wants to influence my politics.” It doesnt sound like the criticism is slowing Francis down, however. Hes started ending a Vatican contingent, including the Papal Swiss Guards, into Rome to deliver food and charity. Daniel Burke - CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor Filed under: Belief • Catholic Church • Christianity • Church and state • Ethics • Media • Money & Faith • Pope Benedict XVI • Pope Francis
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 08:18:30 +0000