Trump and the Pope

The awkward images of a Pope and a Donald bring to mind a quote from George Bernard Shaw, “Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.”

The Pope has previously described Trump as not Christian for his wall-building notions. Trump responded that to question a person’s faith was disgraceful. These charismatic leaders have other things in common apart from private jets; both do a lot of talking with little effect and both have strong positions on the “place” of women.

The Catholic Church currently does not have any woman deacons — an ordained female position that is scriptural and historically attested. Women continue to be completely excluded from the Catholic religious hierarchy. Pope Francis’ affirmation that the ban on priestly ordination for women “will continue forever” is shocking on a number of levels. Trump’s hideous attitude and abusive treatment of women is public, appalling and remains unanswered. How can leaders talk about peace and justice with such positioning about half of the world’s population?

Shaw also said, “Christianity might be a good thing if anyone ever tried it.”

Russell Hoban, Ponsonby. natural warming started about 200 years ago and continues to this day.

We can draw two obvious lessons from this little bit of history. First, a slightly warmer climate is not a disaster, it may even be beneficial, and second, the modest warming we are experiencing is almost certainly a natural process and man’s contribution to it is minimal.

Brian O’Neill, Chatswood.