Fear, Fraternity, And History
By CHRISTOPHER MANION In an interview during his recent trip to Morocco, Pope Francis took a swipe at Europe’s Catholic populist movements. These groups are gaining popularity in many EU member states, rising in defense of the uniquely Christian character of Europe and their own countries. Meanwhile, the secular, centralized European Union bureaucracy fights to maintain its power, joining the Pope in opposing the populist movement. Pope Francis is torn: While he condemns the EU’s secularism, he strongly supports its advocacy of massive immigration from Africa and the Middle East. “I see,” he said, that many people of good will, not only Catholics, but good people, of good will, are a little gripped by the fear that is the usual…Continue Reading