Here is another crappy headline which tries to write an editorial in the lede. This time from my local newspaper the Flordia Times-Union
“Catholics in Jacksonville unmoved by Vatican scandal” with the subheadline “The pope is being scrutinized for his actions as a former cardinal.”
Yes we are unmoved by those Vatican scandals, how heartless of us. Funny how the word alleged get thrown in front of every murderer brought to court and you never see the word alleged in connection with a Vatican scandal.
The reactions of people interviewed in the article is much more sensible. They are not falling for it. They chalk it up mainly to media sensationalism. Though I would take exception to what one parishioner said.
“Even if he did something of that nature – if, if, if – I’m sure he’s probably been forgiven a long time ago, and you kind of just have to press on with life,” he said.
If a Pope had indeed been complicit in covering up or enabling priestly abuse, it seems to me that there could be a valid outcry for him to resign. A Pope who knew he did such things and accepted the papacy knowing this would at least be unfit. Though of course no pope ever has to resign and can not be forced to do so. We have survived popes who truly committed scandal.
The story goes on to say that nobody has written to the Diocese about this subject. There has been priestly sexual abuse in my diocese. The difference is that it was promptly taken care of once known by both my previous and current Bishop. These priest were not just reassigned and there has been good policy in place long before the Bishops addressed it in Dallas in 2002.
While Catholics in my area seem to be aware for the most part that there is no actual scandal involving the Pope, the media has been successful in getting out their message to others. I was asked at work if the Pope was going to resign. I replied no and at first my answer was chalked up to the Pope being “infallible” At least it was an opportunity to explain infallibility is not impeccability and how the articles on then-Cardinal Ratzinger were factually inaccurate. No doubt though that the media has made great inroads into making many people believe that there is in fact a scandal concerning the Pope and many secularists and non-Catholics will find it easy to accept.
This generated scandal also distracts from the fact that there really are Catholics who covered up or enabled sexual abuse and the media’s attention should be directed to those cases and in fact all cases of sexual abuse.
5 comments
I was asked at work if the Pope was going to resign. I replied no and at first my answer was chalked up to the Pope being “infallible” At least it was an opportunity to explain infallibility is not impeccability and how the articles on then-Cardinal Ratzinger were factually inaccurate.
Heh. So far my station in life has not put such questions to me. If I did get one of these, I’d be inclined to say, “I’m willing to tell you all about it. Are you sure you want to ask this question?” 🙂
“…there has been good policy in place long before the Bishops addressed it in Dallas in 2002.”
Exactly, Jeff. Your diocese was not unique. My diocese (Seattle) and most other U.S. dioceses put good policies into effect back in the mid-eighties. And the reforms worked. All our cases of clergy abuse of a minor date from before 1988. Boston was the anomaly with its new cases (including transferring known predators) into the mid 90’s.
We have plenty to be ashamed of and much to repent, but it is simply untrue that we did not address this issue until the Boston Globe noticed it in 2002.
I thought there was one Pope that did resign and he was Pope twice.
Yes, we are unmoved by your coverage of yet another facet of the same 40 year old scandal. Unless you have something recent we wish you would just shut up.
I’m unmoved. I can’t freak out about a sin that happened long ago and was committed by someone else.