Why Such Hatred and Vitriol Against the Pope?

Over at Twitter, in the #AskPontifex thread, there is an outpouring of animosity and ridicule directed at the Pope, the Church, and the Catholic Faith. On the internet in general, this type of animosity is found almost everywhere that Catholicism is discussed. And the same attitude occasionally rears its ugly head in the news industry and in politics. What is the basis for this animosity?

The Pope and the Church have teachings on important matters of morality. These teachings are contrary to the beliefs and practices of a majority of persons who live secular lives.

Abortion is intrinsically evil and always gravely immoral. Contraception is intrinsically evil and always gravely immoral. Divorce and remarriage is prohibited (without an annulment). Premarital sex and adultery are grave sins. Pornography is gravely immoral. Homosexuality is a disorder, and homosexual acts are intrinsically evil and always gravely immoral. Same-sex marriage is not a true type of marriage, and so no one should support it.

How many persons have violated one of these teachings? How many are violating these teachings on a regular basis? A large percentage of any nation’s population is living and believing contrary to these, and many other, teachings.

So when the Pope and the Church reiterate these teachings, people are offended. They rightly perceive that the Church is telling them that their own deeds are evil, and that they must change their behavior. But out of pride, most people refuse to change. Instead, they respond with personal attacks on the Pope, ridicule of the Church, and hatred for Catholicism.

Unfortunately, many persons who call themselves Catholic are essentially in the same situation.

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