The Catholic Church again disappoints progressives -- watch the complaints roll in as the new Pope strikes out with all the media darlings: abortion supporters, radical feminists, moral relativists, secular humanists, militant homosexualists, socialists, etc.

They were no doubt hoping for a pro-choice, pro-same-sex marriage pope. How does Pope Francis measure up?

He called abortion "a death sentence for the unborn" (strike one). On same sex marriage: "a destructive pretension against the plan of God" (strike 2). On gays adopting children: "an act of discrimination against children" (strike 3).

Darn that church. For 2,000 years, since Jesus appointed Peter as the first pope, they keep filing the position with ... (gasp) Catholics!

The nerve of that pesky Holy Spirit, who continues to guide the church in ways that oppose the wishes of the modern, enlightened cultural elite who are sure that they know a better way.

STEVE BECK

Merced