mtierney said:

Nohero — you skipped highlighting these papal words…

“At the same time, one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival.”

More on the issue from CNS..

“Minnesota’s Catholic bishops released a statement Feb. 7 advocating for “comprehensive immigration reform to fix our broken system” while urging the Trump administration to refrain from deporting migrants without criminal records.

“Sadly, our nation’s immigration system is broken. For too long, our laws on paper said ‘stop, no entry’ while in fact, for economic and political reasons, undocumented migrants were allowed inside, sometimes with the encouragement of business interests and even our government,” the statement from the eight bishops reads.

“As Pope Francis has said, migrants have been too often treated as ‘pawns on the chessboard of humanity,’” the bishops said. “Elected officials in both major political parties have failed to rise above political calculation and collaborate on a solution rooted in respect for migrants and the common good of the nation.”

“The Biden administration’s migration policies exacerbated these problems, and as a response, President Trump has resolved to instigate measures focused primarily on enforcement and deportations,” the statement reads.”

You cut off the quote, leaving the misleading impression that the bishops were supporting Trump's changes. In fact, in the immediately following passages which you left out, they declare their opposition to what Trump is doing. The two immediately following paragraphs in your article are:

"The bishops called on citizens 'to appeal to Congress and the president for comprehensive reform of our broken system that includes resources for improved border security, a generous but also prudent welcome of refugees and those seeking asylum that does not overly burden local communities, and pathways to legal status for long-term undocumented residents.'

"The bishops in the statement took issue with a Jan. 21 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive rescinding Biden-era guidelines that previously required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to seek their superior’s approval before arresting people at or near 'sensitive locations' such as churches, hospitals, or schools."

Here's the citation you left off, so that anyone can read what they actually meant (as stated in the title of the article), not the pro-Trump, anti-migrant spin - Minnesota Bishops Call for ‘Generous but Also Prudent’ Welcome of Refugees| National Catholic Register

Pics of one of the idols at mtierney's church:

https://bsky.app/profile/patriottakes.bsky.social/post/3lht6ck5v2s2l

*ETA -- not sure how authentic these photos are. So, they're either a very on-the-nose example of how supposed "Christians" are flagrantly violating the first several commandments (much like the very real golden statue at CPAC a few years back), or an artistic statement drawing attention to how the actions of Trump's supporters does so.

Pope Czar Homan issues his own bull - 

[Edited to add Homan's rant, below]

I think this comment from the Pope’s remarks expresses the goal  for respectful and safe immigration. No one can possibly describe  the immigration which too place during the Biden Administration as respectful (of immigrants and the USA).

"The bishops called on citizens 'to appeal to Congress and the president for comprehensive reform of our broken system that includes resources for improved border security, a generous but also prudent welcome of refugees and those seeking asylum that does not overly burden local communities, and pathways to legal status for long-term undocumented residents.'

mtierney said:

I think this comment from the Pope’s remarks expresses the goal  for respectful and safe immigration. No one can possibly describe  the immigration which too place during the Biden Administration as respectful (of immigrants and the USA).

"The bishops called on citizens 'to appeal to Congress and the president for comprehensive reform of our broken system that includes resources for improved border security, a generous but also prudent welcome of refugees and those seeking asylum that does not overly burden local communities, and pathways to legal status for long-term undocumented residents.'

It’s quite something for you to criticize the plight of immigrants during the Biden Administration in light of what is happening at Trump’s direction. 

tjohn said:

mtierney said:

I think this comment from the Pope’s remarks expresses the goal  for respectful and safe immigration. No one can possibly describe  the immigration which too place during the Biden Administration as respectful (of immigrants and the USA).

"The bishops called on citizens 'to appeal to Congress and the president for comprehensive reform of our broken system that includes resources for improved border security, a generous but also prudent welcome of refugees and those seeking asylum that does not overly burden local communities, and pathways to legal status for long-term undocumented residents.'

It’s quite something for you to criticize the plight of immigrants during the Biden Administration in light of what is happening at Trump’s direction. 

Trump directed the GOP members of Congress to torpedo the bipartisan legislation under Biden for "comprehensive reform of our broken system that includes resources for improved border security, etc."

PVW said:

Pics of one of the idols at mtierney's church:

https://bsky.app/profile/patriottakes.bsky.social/post/3lht6ck5v2s2l

*ETA -- not sure how authentic these photos are. So, they're either a very on-the-nose example of how supposed "Christians" are flagrantly violating the first several commandments (much like the very real golden statue at CPAC a few years back), or an artistic statement drawing attention to how the actions of Trump's supporters does so.

nope.

not a cult.

no way, no how.

Not mincing any words, article at this link -

Pope Francis’s Stunning Rebuke of JD Vance Exposes MAGA’s Dark Soul | The New Republic

There's a direct line from Vance's beliefs to those of Curtis Yarvin (anti enlightenment new world "let's go back to a monarchy" psychopath) and from him back to Thomas Carlyle's quasi-religious view of history and hero worship. 

dave said:

There's a direct line from Vance's beliefs to those of Curtis Yarvin (anti enlightenment new world "let's go back to a monarchy" psychopath) and from him back to Thomas Carlyle's quasi-religious view of history and hero worship. 

Unfortunately, that line of thinking has support among MAGA "Catholics" as well, who overlap with the anti-Pope Francis "Catholics", as in the examples of this ranter -

Some observations about Francis’ Letter to US Bishops | Fr. Z's Blog

[Edited to add] 

By happenstance, I came across this link today  —first I’ve heard of this priest — and as the saying goes, “it made my day!”

https://religionnews.com/2025/02/12/hes-a-young-millennial-catholic-priest-of-course-hes-a-social-media-influencer/

Tempest in a teapot? Or separation of Church and State?

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262195/pope-francis-vice-president-jd-vance-clash-over-ordo-amoris

mtierney said:

Tempest in a teapot? Or separation of Church and State?

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262195/pope-francis-vice-president-jd-vance-clash-over-ordo-amoris

From that article: “The decision to address the Vance comments is likely due to his remarkably hostile accusation that the U.S. bishops’ refugee programs — under contract with the U.S. government — are motivated by a desire to pad ‘the bottom line.’ Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York called those remarks ‘scurrilous’ and ‘very nasty.’They also were not true.”

mtierney -- I notice you often comment on issues relevant to Catholics, and Christians in general. Seems you have something of an interest -- perhaps you're looking into converting? Fair warning -- there are many areas that, for someone coming from the Church of Trump, may present some pretty severe stumbling blocks.

PVW said:

mtierney -- I notice you often comment on issues relevant to Catholics, and Christians in general. Seems you have something of an interest -- perhaps you're looking into converting? Fair warning -- there are many areas that, for someone coming from the Church of Trump, may present some pretty severe stumbling blocks.

Fear not, almost 93 years ago I was baptized within a couple of weeks after birth due to the high risk for death among newborns back in the day. I recall learning  that Moms of babies rarely went to the christening services — Godparents took center stage, along with Dads and extended family members.

At 12 or 13 I had my Confirmation, and at 22, I was married in a Nuptial Mass — my Jewish boss and his wife schlepped all the way from Teaneck Nj to Brooklyn NY to attend! My husband had converted to Catholicism a couple of years before we met thanks be to God!

Fear not, PVW, I am on solid ground and know the difference between God and politicians.

Mtierney,

I presume you are aware that a good deal of the actions of the Trump Administration are at odds with the teachings of Jesus.

How do you reconcile that?

I'll grant you that this is a problem with actual governance versus spiritual leadership in general.  However, the Trump Administration seems to delight in cruelty against the powerless.

tjohn said:

I'll grant you that this is a problem with actual governance versus spiritual leadership in general.  However, the Trump Administration seems to delight in cruelty against the powerless.

Unfortunately, political discussions during the next four years will be variations on the following -

Democrats - "We decry the GOP's gleeful use of cruelty and ignorance to appeal to their core supporters."

Republicans - "Democrats are just a bunch of crybabies."

Hmmm, succinct,  but accurate as to Dems still scratching their heads and wondering how in the world did what happened actually happen?

I have yet to hear, or read a honest comment, regarding the dishonest and dangerous political propping up of Biden by Democratic prominent “elders”, when clearly he was failing before the American voters’ eyes every day, in every way. It seemed to me, as a political observer, that Kamala was the only Democrat handy on very short notice — forgetting her career long  “unlike-ability” status. 

What those Democrat elders failed to see, or recognize, was what was happening with voters across America. Surprise: Breaking the glass ceiling by  electing  a Black female wasn’t a top priority for voters, male or female, Black, White or Asian, Democrat or Republican. I do believe that the time is coming when the USA will elect a woman based solely on merit.

mtierney said:

Hmmm, succinct,  but accurate as to Dems still scratching their heads and wondering how in the world did what happened actually happen?

I have yet to hear, or read a honest comment, regarding the dishonest and dangerous political propping up of Biden by Democratic prominent “elders”, when clearly he was failing before the American voters’ eyes every day, in every way. It seemed to me, as a political observer, that Kamala was the only Democrat handy on very short notice — forgetting her career long  “unlike-ability” status. 

What those Democrat elders failed to see, or recognize, was what was happening with voters across America. Surprise: Breaking the glass ceiling by  electing  a Black female wasn’t a top priority for voters, male or female, Black, White or Asian, Democrat or Republican. I do believe that the time is coming when the USA will elect a woman based solely on merit.

how you can possibly use the word merit is utterly astounding. hint - rfk jr.

I don't think I've ever encountered such a stunning lack of self-awareness.

mtierney said:

PVW said:

mtierney -- I notice you often comment on issues relevant to Catholics, and Christians in general. Seems you have something of an interest -- perhaps you're looking into converting? Fair warning -- there are many areas that, for someone coming from the Church of Trump, may present some pretty severe stumbling blocks.

Fear not, almost 93 years ago I was baptized within a couple of weeks after birth due to the high risk for death among newborns back in the day. I recall learning  that Moms of babies rarely went to the christening services — Godparents took center stage, along with Dads and extended family members.

At 12 or 13 I had my Confirmation, and at 22, I was married in a Nuptial Mass — my Jewish boss and his wife schlepped all the way from Teaneck Nj to Brooklyn NY to attend! My husband had converted to Catholicism a couple of years before we met thanks be to God!

Fear not, PVW, I am on solid ground and know the difference between God and politicians.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them

I don't know what you're like offline, but on MOL nearly all your posts are lies or half truths in support of a cruel and vicious political movement.

PVW said:

I don't know what you're like offline, but on MOL nearly all your posts are lies or half truths in support of a cruel and vicious political movement.

It's endemic among the MAGA supporters of Trump and his cruelty.

These Trump administration Catholics are at odds with Pope Francis over immigration

Good trees v bad fruit:  I can assure you , from personal experience over the past few weeks, that’s not true. My tomato plants are healthy, yielding dozens of rosy, juicy, delicious fruit. But once the insects munch on a single tomato it blackens and rots. The rest of the fruit and the plant are still good.

It’s a pretty verse and makes poetic sense. Agriculturally, no.

joanne said:

Good trees v bad fruit:  I can assure you , from personal experience over the past few weeks, that’s not true. My tomato plants are healthy, yielding dozens of rosy, juicy, delicious fruit. But once the insects munch on a single tomato it blackens and rots. The rest of the fruit and the plant are still good.

It’s a pretty verse and makes poetic sense. Agriculturally, no.

It's the Bible -- it's not meant to be taken literally ;-)

Catching up on sainthood…

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262189/a-new-generation-of-saints-6-young-millennials-on-the-road-to-sainthood

and for “womanhood”

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262241/pope-names-franciscan-sister-to-head-vatican-city-governorate

Very sad news, indeed. I hope the Pope recovers his strength soon. He seems so excited about the Holy Year, and impact of its special events.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/vatican-cancels-pope-francis-holy-year-events-due-to-illness 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1kmk09xxdko

PVW said:

I don't know what you're like offline, but on MOL nearly all your posts are lies or half truths in support of a cruel and vicious political movement.

That’s obvious, you don’t  “know” me at all. If you truly believe your truth is the only one worth having, or respecting in the slightest, you are so isolated in your own head!

Come join the world in which other points of view flourish! Get to know and respect people different from you. How you expect to thrive in our multi-cultural world is beyond me!

Start with showing a modicum of respect for the  73+ million American voters who voted their choice. Not yours, but theirs.

FYI, I appear here — certainly different from the woman I was (IM80) in 2015 with some 3,000 posts —  was  widowed in 2018, lost one child in 2014 and another in 2023. No one could stay the same after those happenings, but I am still standing, at almost 93! That is the challenge!

mtierney said:

Come join the world in which other points of view flourish! Get to know and respect people different from you. How you expect to thrive in our multi-cultural world is beyond me!

Start with showing a modicum of respect for the  73+ million American voters who voted their choice. Not yours, but theirs.

Are you familiar with the concept of the Paradox of Tolerance? Briefly put, it points out that one cannot really tolerate those who refuse to tolerate others.

Consider, mtierney, that when Trump won, Harris' supporters did not storm the Capitol to attempt to reverse the results -- in marked contrast to Trump supporters four years earlier. Or look at the actions of Trump in these last few weeks, where he is using the power of the federal government to not only punish people with different views than him, but attacks people for having identities he despises.

You seem to have a very narrow and one-way concept of "respect," where you believe your views should be free from criticism, but those who disagree with you should be violently attacked.

mtierney said:

Start with showing a modicum of respect for the  73+ million American voters who voted their choice. Not yours, but theirs.

As old as you are, I am sure you have heard the phrase "respect is earned, not given". If you ever posted something worthwhile, you just might find someone who will respect you.

For example, how should a gay man respond to somebody who wants to take away his rights?

Pope Francis Confronts the US Right-Wing Catholic Illusion - Where Peter Is

"It is no secret that extreme right-wing US conservatism has sought to convince many Catholics of the belief that the new administration’s policies are in conformity with faith in Jesus Christ. Within this mentality, ideas are compiled from very diverse sources, which are naively embraced by US Catholics who do not realize that they fundamentally distort Catholic teaching, sound anthropology, and the principles of a just and free society rooted in respect for human rights."

The whole piece is at the link above.