Cal Thomas’ column of Thursday, Sept. 29, ascribed Giorgia Meloni’s political positions to her Christianity.
He dated her Christianity to the period of “cathedrals and abbeys,” built largely at the expense of the poor.
Mr. Thomas cited St. Francis as an example of the period, whose life was dedicated to the poor.
He was immensely popular with common people.
The Pope, perhaps to take advantage of that, had him canonized promptly after his death.
An immense shrine, the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, was built in his honor at the expense of the poor to
whom he had dedicated his life.
This was a hypocritical act on the part of the church.
So, yes, Ms. Meloni does want to go back to the past.
Her call for higher birth rates, “the biggest problem facing Europe,” means that Europe should turn its back on the millions of poor fleeing other countries, beset by violence, poverty, and the growing impact of climate change.
Millions of refugees could help meet Europe’s labor shortage now, instead of waiting 20 years for babies to mature.
An expanded birth rate would also add to climate stress.
I fear that Mr. Thomas’ brand of Christianity is very much in line with that of Ms. Meloni where others, different than us, are not included in the challenge to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
I can understand why a progressive, even a Christian progressive, would be appalled at this message.
Paul Wessel
Sequim