OPINION:
Stephen Moore apparently forgets that we were taught infallibility is limited to matters of faith and morals (“Pope Francis gives new voice to those denouncing Americans’ ‘irresponsible lifestyles,’” web, Oct. 10).
Unfortunately, Pope Francis has attempted to make climate change a matter of both faith and morals. But matters of opinion are better left to apostolic exhortations.
The Vatican seems to have learned nothing from the Galileo affair; there are indeed times the pope should keep his mouth shut. Mr. Moore’s contention that modern Western civilization has saved the world from a poverty-level existence is reaffirmed when we recall that monks were given the worst bottomland and mountaintops to build their monasteries — and through human ingenuity turned these sites into model farms, orchards, vineyards and workshops.
Pope Francis might also be enlightened by reading Thomas E. Woods’ book “How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization.” Unfortunately, the pope has sold out to the “blame America first” crowd. He would do well to notice where most of the church’s operating funds come from.
ROBERT H. KAMMER
Silver Spring, Maryland
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