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April 12, 2018
Margaret Franz-Costello
Novato
Re “US Catholics’ political leanings affect their approval ratings of pope,” March 15:
Upon reading Mark Pattinson’s article, I was dismayed by Pattinson’s lead-in which contained overwhelmingly negative statistics and his ending with only a few positives buried in the last paragraphs. What geographical area of the United States was polled and who exactly were asked to participate? This, and more, affects the outcome of a poll.
In addition, it states that 1,503 adults were surveyed, but only 316 were Catholics. This is preposterous! How does a journalist lead with that title when there are only 316 Catholic opinions out of 1,503? Furthermore, a one-line paragraph states, “The survey introduced new questions not asked in past polls,” which puts in to question the comparative results of the survey. Statistics can be manipulated easily in favor of whoever is using them for their publications, speeches or homilies. The SF Catholic seems to lean toward conservative Catholics. Many of your readers know this and even further understand that a balance in reporting is necessary, especially in today’s political climate. The Pew Survey seems to be a bit out of balance.
I am a lifelong Catholic and educator and have a personal sense that today I have a Pope who gets it … more than any other in my lifetime. Many believe he is a pope for the people. In the end, as Luke states in chapter 12:34, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Many of us are aware of the discomfort some of the princes of the church in Rome (locally as well) currently have with Pope Francis but I have only this to say, “Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.”
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