Both because of his personality and the potential for a historic milestone, some journalists have taken to calling this papal election an “Obama moment” for the Church. This metaphor is apt only insofar as both will disappoint liberals hoping for significant change.

Naunihal Singh considers Cardinal Turkson of Ghana, who is favored to be the Church’s future: http://nyr.kr/ZGABhf

Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/Getty.

(Source: newyorker.com)

In this week’s issue, Jane Mayer profiles Bryan Fischer, the Evangelical host of “Focal Point,” a popular Christian radio talk show, and one of the most vocal opponents of what he calls the “homosexual-rights movement”:

Fischer, who jokes that his “listening audience is more conservative than conservatives,” represents a powerful constituency. Rob Stein, the founder of the Democracy Alliance, a progressive fund-raising group, says that groups like the A.F.A. are part of “the largest, best-organized, most effective, and well-financed special-interest political infrastructure in America.” Julie Ingersoll, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of North Florida, says that the goal of Christian conservatives such as Fischer is to “shape every aspect of the culture in accordance with Biblical law, including politics.” Though it’s impossible to say how decisive a role this bloc will play in November, Ingersoll notes that, in the 2012 primaries, it “succeeded in pushing the Republican Party far to the right.” She adds, “The campaign that Romney’s had to run is very different from the one he ran four years ago. Who would have thought, for instance, that contraception would be an issue?” In February, Romney expressed opposition to a Senate amendment that would have permitted employers to deny insurance coverage for birth control on religious or moral grounds; after his statement was denounced by religious conservatives, he reversed himself.

Click-through to read Mayer’s piece on how Bryan Fischer is making Mitt Romney more conservative: http://nyr.kr/OePRIO

The Lizza List: A “Severely Conservative” Lexicon

Last Friday, Mitt Romney caused a stir in Republican circles when he went before the Conservative Political Action Conference and declared himself “severely conservative” as governor of Massachusetts. Many were puzzled by the phrase, noting that the adverb “severely” was not commonly used as modifier signifying admiration and respect. Rush Limbaugh was especially confused. He played the clip on his radio show and then said, “I have never heard anybody say, ‘I’m severely conservative.’ ”