The Vatican has no business having an opinion on any of this. A Justice and Peace Department rightly ought to focus its attention on the next realm, not this world. The more I think of this, the more annoyed I feel.
The Cardinal in charge of this committee is from Africa and no doubt sees so-called peace and justice in a different light than we do. Many, many people in Africa do suffer terrible lives. Not saying I agree with the committee's conclusion but it would be interesting to hear the guy's thoughts.
I met a woman last year who told me she was on her Catholic church's peace and justice committee (which I have to admit that term makes me suspicious every time) and had been helping the poor in her community for 30 years. I'm sure she and I don't share any political beliefs. But I'd be hard pressed to say it was inappropriate for her or her church to be helping the poor. Of course, if she's started going on about banks or the rich I would have tuned her out.
From what I understand the Catholic Church doesn't claim a political designation such as conservatice or liberal or left or right for itself. It seeks to define policies it deems appropriate for all.
(There are days when I'd like to not designate an affiliation but that's another thread for another day.)
