I think he is a Knight of Columbus.
“Tapped,” or “trapped?”
There are practicing Catholics, Catholics in name only....and some, unfortunately, ignorant Catholics.
I am impressed with Ryan’s understanding of authentic Catholic social teaching. My guess is that he’s familiar with the New Compendium of Catholic Social Teaching...as well as Pope Benedict’s thoughts on the dangers of state control of “charity.” Here is another article that highlights that:
Catholic Social Teaching and the Ryan Budget by Thomas Berg
(from the Witherspoon Institute)
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2012/05/5388
An excerpt:
“The hard truth is that the implosion of the nuclear family has coincided precisely with the ramping up of federal low-income assistance programs since the 1960s. Why? Certainly the breakdown of the family is a complex social phenomenon, with many causes. But there’s little doubt that large-scale federal assistance to low-income households with single parents and dependent children has contributed to the destruction.”
Ryan and the Catholic church have a huge opportunity here to connect to conservative and orthodox faithful. Before and after he becomes VP, he should be on the road to talk to and listen to Archbishops, Bishops, Monsignors and Priests, with the tacit understanding that they must both be in conformity with the Vatican and conservative in their faith.
And he could use this is a starting point to talk with leaders of other Orthodox faiths, Christian and Jewish, with the idea of being seen as their voice in the corridors of power.
More than anything else, this Sends the message that the Republican party respects their religions and will work to protect them from the onslaughts of those that hate them, the Democrats.
I just couldn't help immediately recalling NOT seeing the following headline almost four years ago...
Hussein Obama, Muslim Born in Kenya, Who Thinks the Muslim Death Cry Is The "Most Beautiful Sound In The World," And Who Thinks "The US Constitution Is An Outdated Document Written By Angry Old White Men " Tapped As Democratic Presidential Candidate.
Jess saying....
(1) The dignity of the human person (all human beings from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death have inalienable rights that no government may infringe).
(2) The preferential option for the poor (all other things being equal, and all justice being fulfilled, if a policy can help the poor or disadvantaged it should be implemented).
(3) The principle of subsidiarity (the more locally a decision can be made the better, with the family being the optimal locus of decision making).
Pretty much every social policy of the Democrats immediately and blatantly violates principles (1) and (3) and usually violates (2) more subtly.
A very smart move by Romney, picking someone so obviously competent and well spoken, not to mention respected by both sides of the aisle.
If this is Romney's overture and gift to the conservative side, to me it is well received.
If Romney continues with decisions like Ryan as VP, he'll win some trust and then win with an overwhelming landslide and start his term with the mandate that comes with it.
Time will tell. There are some make or break issues for him yet to come.
**“As a smart, serious Catholic, Congressman Ryan has been steadfast on issues of fundamental principle — defending religious liberty, life and traditional marriage,” The Catholic Association said in a press release.**
BTTT, I haven’t been so excited about a candidate since Reagan. Wish he were at the top of the ticket.