As a former devout Catholic who attended Catholic private school for 12 years and later pursued a master’s degree at Rockhurst University, I’ve grown disillusioned with the Church’s singular focus on saving the unborn. The recent AI-generated image of Donald Trump as the Pope, posted on Truth Social, nauseated me and highlighted the Church’s compromising stance.
The Church’s Tunnel Vision
My Jesuit education taught me to think critically about the Church’s actions. By aligning with Trump, the Church exemplifies the dangers of ignoring civil ramifications due to tunnel vision. Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s tepid response to Trump’s AI image — saying it “was not good” — fell short. This incident reveals the Church’s compromised values.
Consequences of Compromise
The clergy who backed Trump under the guise of protecting Christian values now face scrutiny. Their actions have consequences, and it’s clear that their support was misguided. The image of clergy and cardinals with hair color dripping down their faces, like Rudy Giuliani, is a stark reminder of the Church’s compromised stance.
The Church’s attempt to deflect criticism by downplaying Trump’s actions has failed. As someone who was educated by the Church, I’m disappointed in its failure to live up to its values. The Church’s alignment with Trump has damaged its credibility, and it’s time for reflection and change.
In summary, the Catholic Church’s obsession with a single issue has led it down a perilous path. It’s time for the Church to reassess its priorities and return to its core values.
