Briefly...

I propose the definition of a new argumentation fallacy to explain something that has become more prevalent in recent years; namely, the appeal to race in a discussion to distract from the issue at hand. 

Or if you prefer Latin: Argumentum ad Genus!

Fratelli Tutti

I have not read Pope Francis' latest encyclical letter but I intend to before the year is out. While many documents of varying authority come from the Vatican, encyclical letters in general are among the most authoritative. However, that being noted, there is still usually a diversity of statements of varying magisterial weight in an encyclical latter much as with any document issued either by the pope or in his name. 

I went over the subject of the magisterium in detail earlier this year{1} both in scope{2} as well as the matter of proper interpretation thereof{3} so I see no need to reinvent that wheel. However, I do want to point out at least in passing that there will inevitably be no shortage of pundits, agenda provocateurs, and apologists who will treat this text as if each part of it is of equal weight.{4}

Too often documents issued by the Vatican are treated as a pretext by self-proclaimed More Moral Than Thou sorts for beating others over the head with parts that appear to support their preconceived presuppositions while ignoring or downplaying parts that appear to oppose said presuppositions thereof. Then there will be those who claim to be a faithful Catholic who will dismiss this encyclical wholesale lest they have to acknowledge something that is contrary to their particular worldview. Neither approach is correct for a faithful Catholic to take.

Having noted these things briefly, one final point: since most folks do not actually read Vatican documents except to prooftext them, be wary of those who seek to make too much or too little of the contents of the new encyclical letter. The truth on these matters is usually more nuanced than most folks either know or care to admit.

Notes:

{1} On the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, Obedience, and the Requirements of Faithful Catholics (circa February 26, 2020)

{2} See footnote one and also this thread:

On Clarifying and Retracting Some Prior Statements on the Magisterium (circa March 8, 2020)

{3} On Magisterial Interpretation (circa January 4, 2020)

{4} This is of course wrong but since when has that stopped those more interested in conflict than in genuine dialogue.

Briefly...

Since I cannot find a balanced and responsible article on President Donald Trump's catching of Covid 19, I will simply note here that (i) I am praying for him and everyone afflicted by this virus and (ii) I have zero respect for anyone who wishes this sort of thing on anyone else for reasons of political disagreement. Sadly, there are some disgusting people out there who do these things and I want nothing to do with them no matter whom they are.

In perusing an old expository musing for use in a recent posting, I happened to spot this in one of the paragraphs:

Her site is worth reading even if only for the summary of other articles on the matter from Rerum Novarum recommended sources such as Little Green Footballs

Though we have soured some on Michelle Malkin{1} over the years, that is not the purpose of this posting.

For while we pride ourselves in our general and overall consistency over the years, we also try to address issues where our mind has changed and perhaps retractions of prior enunciated points are in order.{2} That is our intention with the present posting where the subject of Little Green Footballs is concerned.

Sometime in 2009, Little Green Footballs (LGF) made a radical swing to the far left. Not long afterwards, this site was suspended indefinitely{3} -a status that remained in effect until April of 2017.{4} As a result, the recommendation of LGF that we expressed in 2005 has not applied for a long time. And as we were reminded of our prior endorsement, we want to at this time formally, unambiguously, and irrevocably retract it.

All things to the contrary notwithstanding.

Notes:

{1} Michelle Malkin was the her referred to in the paragraph above. (I suppose this can be considered an additional minor clarification of sorts while not a full blown retraction.)

{2} To note a few such examples in recent years:

On Clarifying and Retracting Some Prior Statements on the Magisterium (circa March 8, 2020)

Briefly (circa July 19, 2019)

On the Changing of One's Positions (circa January 31, 2018)

{3} Notification of Suspension (circa December 19, 2009)

{4} Notification of An Intended Return to Website Publishing (circa April 4, 2017)