Local Lawmakers Weigh in on Pope's Historic Address to Congress

Pope Francis received high marks from a few Orange County lawmakers for his historic speech before Congress, including staunchly conservative Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach.

Democratic Reps. Loretta Sanchez of Garden Grove and Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach lauded the pope’s speech, the first time a pontiff addressed the U.S. Congress.

Although Rohrabacher, who was raised Baptist but whose wife and children are Roman Catholic, disagreed with Francis on several issues he raised in his speech -- he saw some common ground, too, and felt he was a “good-hearted” person.

“I have, of course, some major disagreements, but I certainly salute the goodwill and benevolence that is behind his decision-making process,” Rohrabacher told City News Service.

The congressman noted Francis’ remarks on business.

“He mentioned business and producing things and production, so I think that was a definite element to his speech that sort of contradicts the charge that he is the socialist pope,” Rohrabacher said.

On the issue of combating poverty, the pope said, “It goes without saying that part of this great effort is the creation and distribution of wealth. The right use of natural resources, the proper application of technology and the harnessing of the spirit of enterprise are essential elements of an economy which seeks to be modern, inclusive and sustainable.”

The pope, however, then segued into his opinions on climate change. Rohrabacher has generated headlines in the past with his views that climate change is not caused by man’s activities, but the congressman said he couldn’t fault the pontiff for disagreeing with him since Rohrabacher is “in the minority” on the issue.

Rohrabacher said he was disappointed the pope did not specifically address the issue of attacks in the Middle East on Christians as Francis addressed the refugee crisis. Rohrabacher said he plans soon to introduce a resolution declaring that Christians fleeing the Middle East are essentially like dissidents seeking asylum who can “move to the front of the line” when emigrating here.

“My biggest disappointment is he touched on the refugee problem, but he never got down to forcefully condemning and attacking the forces that are committing genocide on Christians in the Middle East,” Rohrabacher said. “These radical Islamist movements are aimed at wiping them out, and that didn’t make it into the pope’s remarks, so I’m disappointed with that.”

Rep. Mimi Walters, R-Irvine, said in an interview on Fox today, “I think the pope wanted us to see that his job is to be a person to bridge people, and bring men and women together, to open the dialogue... and to remember, that we all need to live by the Golden Rule -- you treat others as you want to be treated. I think that was the message he was trying to bring forward today in his speech.”

Sanchez said she was especially touched by his remarks on immigration.

“I was moved by the pope’s words on immigration and reminder that ‘so many of you are also descended from immigrants,’ “ Sanchez said. “This pope has a remarkable ability to build bridges and show that we have more in common than we have in difference. Pope Francis’ commitment to fighting for the margins of society is inspiring. Pope Francis has a lasting ability to change the world, and I expect his message will reverberate through the halls of Congress and our country.”

Sanchez said she hoped the pope’s speech would cut through the “divisive rhetoric that has gripped our nation in the last few months.”

Sanchez noted the pope encouraged more dialogue.

“I hope my colleagues will take the pope’s message to heart,” she said. “As members of Congress, we must come together and work on solutions to the problems we have the ability to solve.”

Lowenthal called it a “stirring and historic message” that called for action on issues facing the world.

“I agree with His Holiness that to take on these problems will require genuine love of the common good and cooperation,” Lowenthal said.

Lowenthal said he agreed with the pope’s call to address climate change.

“In the case of climate change, that common good also includes our planet, and I agree wholeheartedly with the pontiff that not only must we act, but in the end, America will take a vital role in solving the climate change issue,” he said. “I hope that the pope’s message of common cause and common responsibility with all people of the Earth will resonate with every American.”

City News Service; Photo: Wikimedia Commons