Jun 27, 2015 2 min read

When I read your June 19 editorial, “Pope makes himself clear on climate issues,” I was fascinated by your acceptance of the authority of Pope Francis. You gladly fell in line with his thoughts on climate change, and, at the same time, ignored what the had to say about abortion and gender.

To quote the pope on the relationship between human life and moral law, “We must value our own body in its femininity or masculinity. It’s not a healthy attitude to seek to cancel our sexual differences because it no longer knows how to confront it.

Also, “Since everything is interrelated, concern for protection of nature is also incompatible with the justification of abortion. Humanity can never learn the value of other vulnerable beings if we fail to protect a human embryo, even when its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties.”

You happily stated that 97 percent of Republicans running for president are in opposition to the pope’s climate views, but failed to point out that 100 percent of the Democratic leadership, including President Obama, are in direct opposition to Pope Francis when it comes to abortion and gender issues.

The editorial writers at the Observer-Reporter need to decide which side of the faith issue they stand on. You can’t have it both ways.

Bill West

Washington