Pelosi issued orders from the Pope

Apparently, the Pope has decided to tell Nancy Pelosi that Catholic politicians have a duty to protect life "at all stages of its development."

Now, the Pope can say whatever he wants. But being able to say something is not the same as being wise in saying something.

First of all, do we really want to go back to a time in the U.S. where citizens are concerned about electing Catholics for fear that they will be taking marching orders from the Vatican? I don't. Yet this business of denying communion to pro-choice Catholics, and comments like this one...might lead us back to a time like that.

Secondly, if the Pope is so terribly concerned about protecting life, perhaps he could exert his influence toward birth control? Or is this not really about "life" at all, but about sex?

Thirdly, I'm waiting for the Pope to announce that all good Catholics must make their bodies available for providing life support to others (blood donations, organ donations, and anything else medical science can come up with) no matter how inconvenient or intrusive or dangerous it may be. Otherwise, sorry, but this statement smacks of hypocrisy. It's not about life. It's about tying women to pregnancy to fit this strangely idealized view of what is in the Bible.