Have you noticed the to-ing and fro-ing in the Vatican's newspaper L'Osservatore Romano over President Obama? Every time the paper -- which is not an official organ but is said to reflect the views of the Vatican -- presents something positive about Obama, it seems to balance it with another piece -- usually about a "life" issue -- to qualify the support.
For example, June 5, the L'Osservatore carried a a front-page article giving good marks to Obama's speech to the Arab world in Cairo and on an inside page ran a story that emphasized that when it comes to the Obama administration and pro-life issues, the Vatican and the U.S. bishops are in full agreement and that no compromise is possible on the right to life.
Others already have observed this yes-but support of Obama, but I was struck by the phenomenon again today as I scanned headlines from the NCR News Feed for the last few weeks:
Vatican's moderate line on Obama has deep roots
L'Osservatore's stance on Obama still roils
Vatican steps back on praise for Obama
Vatican [paper] notes Obama’s search for 'common ground'
Vatican paper mutes bishops' attacks
Vatican, U.S. prelate split on Obama performance?
On two church newspapers, our John Allen notes:
Want to know how it all shakes out? You'll just have to keep reading.
