Daily French Roast

Anne is reading …

Writing for US News & World Report, Mary Kate Cary expresses a sentiment about the Catholic Church that is gaining major momentum. It seems that the Catholic bishops are everywhere, riding herd on American women like they haven’t done in decades.

I’m not a Catholic theologian or expert or activist of any kind. I’m just a mom who is getting increasingly uncomfortable with the Catholic Church in which my daughters are growing up. To me, the Vatican has become polarizing, extremist, and alienating. It seems like the true believers vs. the infidels. Now it’s the bishops vs. the nuns.

Cary writes that she has two nuns in her family and neither appears to be a “radical feminist”. She reminds us that just two years ago, the Vatican issued a directive on the most serious crimes one can commit: heresy, schism, pedophilia, and ordaining women.

Activist support for the Catholic sisters is growing. The National Catholic Reporter shares news from St. Andrew’s parish in Portland, Ore. Fr. Leo Remington moved from praying and praising the nuns to confrontational comments, written by a member of the congregation.

“Now in light of an often misguided and oppressive leadership in the church, we stand in solidarity with you and all women religious in the church. May you continue to ‘love tenderly, act justly and walk humbly with God.’” Both prayers were crafted by a parishioner, who asked to remain anonymous.

Christian Science Monitor reports that the Catholic bishops have now opened an “official inquiry” into Girl Scouts of America. The inquiry will be conducted by the bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

Fashion & Flogging

Robin Hölzken | Hicham Riad | Elle Belgium Mai 2012 | Smart Sensuality Values Expressed AOC Private Studio

Again I apologized to Hicham for the delay in posting his editorial with commentary — which the images deserve.

Hello, Anne. No problem, there is no emergency for the pictures … the emergency lies in the activities you do that defend women … I saw the video of the flogging, I was shocked and above all I felt that I could not remain impassive in the face of this violence against women….

Photography with more sensuality, and repossession of women about their own bodies, their own lives…

Gay Marriage Money Boom?

In 2010, campaign contributions from gay and lesbian rights interests groups fell to a 16-year-low, with the trend continuing in the 2012 campaign cycle. In 2008, the gay and lesbian community contributed $1.8 million to Democrats, compared to $590,000 so far in 2012.

USA Today reports that 51% of Americans polled approve of President Obama’s stance on gay marriage versus 45% who disapprove. The poll reports 13% saying his new position will make them more likely to vote for him, compared to 26% who say they are less likely.

Related: Strong 8-Yr Drop in American Opposition to Gay Marriage AOC Sexual Politics