A columnist for The Guardian newspaper, Kristina Keneally, a self-described “progressive Catholic” accuses Pope Francis of being nothing more than a “media darling” interested in being a celebrity, and compares him to Sarah Palin, as “people who confuse popularity with leadership, or celebrity with substance.”
Goodness. Keneally is worried that Pope Francis hasn’t done enough to “change” the church in two years, and that he is simply content to take “selfies” … which does nothing to explain the comparison to Palin.
Unlike Keneally, Palin thinks the pope has been busy, saying his attitude on social issues “has taken me aback” after he released his 50,000-word Apostolic Exhortation on economics and poverty. Nevertheless, according to Keneally, Palin and the pope’s love of celebrity is so similar … it’s hard to tell them apart. The confusion must be rampant. So let’s try a little quiz to see if we can differentiate between the two publicity hounds:
Was it Pope Francis or Sarah Palin who:
1. Made a surprise appearance as “special guest commentator” on “Dancing With the Stars” when his or her daughter was a contestant on the TV show?
2. Recently declared that Adam was wrong to blame Eve for his sin?
3. In January, in Iowa, said, “The man can only ride ya when your back is bent. So strengthen it! Then the man can’t ride ya, America won’t get taken for a ride, because so much is at stake”?
4. Recently said that it’s a “scandal” women don’t get equal pay for equal work?
5. After a few failed TV shows, started a subscription-based online news channel named after his or herself?
6. Was just credited with helping broker restoration of relations between Cuba and the U.S.?
7. Commented in response to said restoration of relations: “I am so ashamed with what the Obama administration has done to Cuban people. I do not support it.”
8. Warned that failure to end hunger and poverty risks God’s wrath?
9. Mocked Michelle Obama’s attempt to get kids access to healthy food?
10. Recently blasted U.S. climate change skeptics?
11. Compared climate change “hysteria” to eugenics? (Full quote: “Climate change is to this century what eugenics was to the last century. It’s hysteria and a lot of it’s junk science. And when it’s as discredited as eugenics, you know a lot of people are going to look very foolish and heartless.”)
12. Lauded the nuclear deal reached between Iran, the United States, China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and Germany?
13. Said of the same nuclear deal: “Congress must not sit back and watch our own president flirting with the devil”?
Extra credit: It possible that someone who leads by (good, substantive) example, might become popular?
Everybody but Keneally scored 100 percent. For all her criticism, Keneally never says how she wants Pope Francis to change the church. He’s a lot of things. But he’s not psychic.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
