Analysis: Does the Catholic Church back right wing populists? Depends on the country.
By Rick Noack Rick Noack Foreign affairs reporter focusing on Europe and international security Email Bio Follow May 14 at 8:59 AM With elections looming in a number of countries this month, including all 28 European Union member states, a key issue will be whether right-wing and nationalist parties can maintain their surge in support. In many of these countries, that question also involves the role of the Catholic Church.
Italy, Poland, and to some extent Australia can be seen as case studies for three very different approaches by the Catholic Church to retain supporters and could become promising models for the future or risky, misplaced bets.Migrants and refugees in 2017 are rescued by Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms workers in the Mediterranean Sea, about 18 miles north of Sabratha, Libya.
Ahead of European elections next week, members of far-right parties in Italy have openly rallied against the pope over his pro-refugee stance.Farther north, Poland’s right-wing populist government has adopted many of the same policies pursued by Salvini and his allies in Italy. Poland’s Law and Justice party is at least as opposed to refugees and immigration — but curiously, those positions have not stood in the way of closer ties to the Catholic Church.
Recently, a black comedy called “Kler” became a surprise blockbuster hit in Poland, drawing more than 4 million people to cinemas and becoming the third-most successful film here since the end of communism. The movie’s focus on sexual abuse by priests would have been unthinkable only years ago, but the church’s growing association with right-wing populists has opened the powerful institution up to partisan criticism from left-wing parties that would have found that too risky not long ago.
In a rare move, nine Australian church leaders appeared to side with Folau even though they did not name him in a letter that criticized what they said were mounting moves against freedom of speech and religious practice.
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