"Meanwhile, moderates and liberals are so hamstrung that they seem unable to mount any significant opposition to the most egregious threats to poor people. Depriving them (24 million) of health insurance, school funding and social services, to name just three. Religious voices have been among those who protest these proposals, but churches themselves are at the margins. Pope Francis is second to none in appealing for action on behalf of the poor, but his church in America hasn't dramatically thrown itself into that cause. Catholic agencies, relief groups and individuals continue to do exemplary work in these areas, but the national face of the church has been largely removed from such advocacy. Where is the follow-through and why doesn't the pope's deep priority seem to matter to the bishops on anything like a broad, challenging scale. "

The US hierarchy with a few exceptions are a disgrace ...24 million without healthcare should totally motivate them....it doesn't!