I know that as a Catholic I'm supposed to be very glad that the the new pope is receiving such a hearty welcome, especially from the media.  But I admit I grimace every time I see something like this recent headline from The New York Times: "Pope Says Church is 'Obsessed' With Gays, Abortion and Birth Control." There are several issues at work here.  First, he didn't say that.  Second, the church isn't obsessed with gays, abortion, and birth control -- The New York Times is.  They and their buddies in the mainstream media are the ones who return again and again to these issues, each time putting pressure on the church to change its stance.   Please read the interview.  Francis said the church is forced by others to repeatedly address these issues.  He said that's a distraction and is unhelpful.  "The church's pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently." ...(Read Full Post)