Comments on: Paging Cardinal Mahony: Please pick up the white courtesy phone.

By: Samwise

Samwise — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:55:00 +0000

Final note: in reading Cardinal O’Brien’s responses to allegations, it appears as though he blames his actions on the celibate priesthood–suggesting that if priests were married then such abuses wouldn’t occur.
On the contrary, such abuses would occur regardless of marriage (since they are particular to the individual, not the institution). “Protecting God’s Children” takes this into account, be sure to guard against not only celibates but married persons as well.
Unfortunately, in the 60s, 70s and 80s, such investigations had not been conducted yet.

By: Samwise

Samwise — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:14:54 +0000

The parallel between Joe Paterno and Mahoney is difficult to pass up at this point. Are they more culpable for not intervening?
The article seems to suggess that ‘yes’ they are, and had they acted sooner, it probably would have shed light on this issue long before the millenium.
What ended up happening, is that the NCAA took drastic and necessary action against Penn State, and, the Vatican took drastic and necessary action to implement “protecting God’s Children”. Of the two, I can’t help but think that the Vatican’s approach is more to the point–whereas, the NCAA didn’t get at the heart of the matter.

By: Tom Crowe

Tom Crowe — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:03:19 +0000

‘Tis a sad time indeed for your archdiocese and for all those who have looked to the Cardinal for leadership, especially on the defense of marriage. We must pray and sacrifice all the more for holy shepherds to replace those who have failed in their duties over the last however many decades.

By: mustang

mustang — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:38:10 +0000

I am in the Archdiocese of Edinburgh, and my fellow Catholics and I are filled with sadness due the last few days. Its very unnerving to see ones diocese plastered on every front page of newspapers in such a troubling light. Whatever his failings, Cardinal OBrien, I think, made the right decision to refrain from voting in the Conclave. I think Cardinal Mahoney needs to take a leaf out of OBriens book and cancel any flight he has in mind to Rome. His insistence smacks of pride and self importancy, and only makes disillusionment among the faithful even greater. Please your Eminence, dont trouble the faith of your flock any more than you have already done.

By: Tom Crowe

Tom Crowe — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:26:18 +0000

ah well

By: Tom Crowe

Tom Crowe — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:25:54 +0000

well that’s unfortunate.

By: Mark Polo

Mark Polo — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:51:19 +0000

According to a priest who actually spoke with Cardinal De Paolis, he actually did not make the statements that are being reported in reference to Cardinal Mahoney, at least not directly or intentionally. He was apparently asked a theoretical question of “if a certain cardinal were guilty of…” and responded with an academic answer that he would have every right to attend, but someone with moral authority over him might want to suggest to him not to do so. He is reportedly not happy about the reporting of his statements.

By: Antonio A. Badilla

Antonio A. Badilla — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:21:52 +0000

My understanding is that the Cardinal is already on his way to Rome, so, obviously, he didn’t learn O’Brien’s lesson.