New Pope Could influence Political life in America

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Radwa Moustafa

ID # 024-4965

Political Science 155

April 5, 2005

New Pope Could influence Political life in America

A news article in the New York times dated April 4th by Adam Nagourney, stated that the death of Pope John Paul II came at a time when leaders of the Roman Catholic Church have become increasingly assertive in American political life. Their stance has created strains with some Catholic Democrats just as the White House has chosen to make inroads with the once steadily Democratic Catholic constituency.

Several Catholic academics and elected officials said on Sunday that the shift reflected the tone set by a pope who was known for being conservative and for being willing to confront governments to press his views. They said the choice of the next pontiff could be nearly as important for American political life as for the Vatican itself, as Democrats and Republicans here face increasingly inclined battles over judicial nominations, abortion, and gay rights.

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The attempt by some Catholic Church leaders to influence American policy goes back at least to the 1930's, when bishops pressed President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create Social Security. The notion of church activism was fostered by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council 40 years ago, which encouraged bishops to advocate government programs to help the poor. But in recent years, the emphasis has shifted away from fighting poverty and standing up for civil rights, issues associated with the Democratic Party, and toward issues like opposition to abortion and gay rights, issues that president Bush and the Republicans have ...

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