Papal Inexcusability

The outpouring of grief for Pope John Paul II is more than any of us should have to bear. The mass media's solemnization of the late pontiff is in itself tragic and provides cover for a church that is as misogynistic as it is corporate and homophobic. It is outrageous that we should buy into an institution infested with ecclesiastics from the Middle Ages - all aging men - who make canonical affirmations on secular laws that restrict a woman's right to choose and punish gay people who express their love.

John Paul II, in his dying days, declared not only war on gay marriage but made it his top priority over such issues as world poverty and international conflict, torture and violations of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He has abetted the stalemate in the U.N. over efforts to include sexual orientation as one of the globally protected and mandated human rights. He has bowed before and kissed the hand of the power elite who have in turn bowed before and kissed him. He has shown his true colors in emphasizing the "doctrine of charity" over shoring up the economic independence and political power of the poor.

In short, the late pope has been far less a spiritual leader than a shill for the oppressors of our time. The Catholic Church has vested interests in keeping the status quo while the mass media portrays the pope as hero. In a very real sense, nothing has changed over the last 500 years of church history only that instead of the church pinning its deception and fortune on kings and queens it now pins these on the mass media.

- Craig Teichen