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| Irish Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza is being 'recalled' to the Vatican to answer questions from some other inquiring minds. |
The following announcement is taken from the Vatican Radio website, English version. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has been heard loud and clear in Vatican City.
Cloyne Report: recalling of Nuncio denotes seriousness of situation
On Monday the Vatican Press Office released a statement announcing that the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, has been recalled to Rome for consultations.
The press release states : “Following the publication on 13 July, of the Irish government’s Commission of Inquiry Report into allegations of abuse of minors by clergy of the diocese of Cloyne, otherwise known as the ‘Cloyne Report’ and, in particular, the reactions that have followed, the Secretary of State has recalled the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, HE Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza for consultations”.
In response to journalists questions, Fr. Ciro Benedettini, vice director of the Vatican Press Office outlined the following points:
- The recalling of the Nuncio is intended primarily to allow the Secretary of State and other Dicasteries involved to consult with those working on the ground in order to prepare the official answer of the Holy See to the Irish Government following the Cloyne Report.
- The recalling of the Nuncio, a measure rarely used by the Holy See, denotes the seriousness of the situation, and the desire of the Holy See to deal with it objectivity and with determination, as well as a certain note of surprise and regret regarding some excessive reactions.
- The recalling of the Nuncio should be interpreted in line with the Holy See’s desire for a serious and effective cooperation.
There is more background information on this decision an article in the UK Daily Mail. I found these paragraphs most interesting:
The decision to recall Monsignor Leanza was taken by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone after he had been informed of the attack by Mr Kenny during his holiday in the Alps.
A Vatican source said: 'His Eminence although on his summer break had asked to be kept informed of developments in Ireland and he like other senior Curia figures was surprised at the attack by the Irish prime minister.
'He consulted with them and with the Pope's private Secretary and it was decided that Monsignor Leanza should be called back so he could explain in first hand the report and the reaction.
'The Holy See does take the situation in Ireland very seriously and is keen to show it wants to rebuild relations with the faithful following the abuse cases.'
What do they mean by "attack?" Did Mr. Kenny buy a few tons of fertilizer on the lame excude it was for his roses? Experiment till he got a big enough ka-BOOM? Then, attack? That's what it sounds like!
ReplyDeleteSure and doesn't this remind yeez-all of what St. Patrick himself did to those snakes?
ReplyDelete"Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone may say he was surprised at the tone of Enda Kenny's speech, but I imagine the truer words would be 'very angered by'."
ReplyDelete1. But, not, one suspects, half as angered as Enda Kenny was.
2. The Vatican does not help itself by constantly using nerveless diplomatic language; this habit all too easily suggests a failure to realise that a great scandal is a great scandal.
I'm not asking for the constant exaggeration so typical of the media, in which irritation is regularly described as "rage", "fury", or "being incandescent" - but the Vatican makes the opposite mistake, of talking - or seeming to talk (which for practical purposes is the same thing) - as though great scandals were really not that much of an issue, but were merely unfortunate blips in the day-to-day running of the Church. The Vatican's language conveys no sense of urgency. And that makes the Vatican look heartless, & not unflappable; even though being unflappable may be intended.
"Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone may say he was surprised at the tone of Enda Kenny's speech, but I imagine the truer words would be 'very angered by'."
ReplyDelete1. But, not, one suspects, half as angered as Enda Kenny was.
2. The Vatican does not help itself by constantly using nerveless diplomatic language; this habit all too easily suggests a failure to realise that a great scandal is a great scandal.
I'm not asking for the constant exaggeration so typical of the media, in which irritation is regularly described as "rage", "fury", or "being incandescent" - but the Vatican makes the opposite mistake, of talking - or seeming to talk (which for practical purposes is the same thing) - as though great scandals were really not that much of an issue, but were merely unfortunate blips in the day-to-day running of the Church. The Vatican's language conveys no sense of urgency. And that makes the Vatican look heartless, & not unflappable; even though being unflappable may be intended.
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ReplyDeleteI think the Vatican just does not get it. There can NEVER BE ANY ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH THAT CAUSES LITTLE CHILDREN TO BE AT RISK FROM RAPIST PRIESTS.
ReplyDeleteFrom the UK mail on line article referred to by Coleen.
"The dramatic developments came just hours after Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, of the Vatican's Apostolic Penitentiary, had given an interview dismissing suggestions priests should break the secrets of the confessional box and reveal details of abusing clergy.
In an interview with Libero newspaper Archbishop Girotti said: 'Ireland can approve all the laws it wants but it should know the Church will never allow itself the obligation to betray the confessional to civil authorities."
There can NEVER BE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OF CANNON LAW over civil law when it comes to protection of children. Sin is all relative venial and mortal just as rules are all relative. When a priest confesses that he has a habit of abusing children or that he is going to murder some one, that confessor must have the obligation to report these problems and warn society.
The vatican has preached long and hard about the wrongs of relativity and modernity while not updating themselves and understanding that relativity is not only a mainstay in physics but in human behavior. When a Priest, Bishop or Pope is committing soul murder on a group in the laity, especially our children and it goes unreported by the confessor, then the confessor becomes equally responsible for these crimes that he is enabling.
Since the Vatican will not attempt to understand the foolishness of their own canon law about confession, they continua down their own narcissistic path of soul murder. Modernity and relativity are indeed not the problem in society is is unadulterated clericalism that is unethical, amoral and not Christian. The vatican can not itself be a follower of The Way of Christ if they do not understand these simple facts of their own misbehavior.
We the people of God have found the problem! It is indeed in the very highest leadership of the Roman Church. This pope and the one before him are essentially criminals who have enabled priests to rape our children. I suggest that the Irish Civil Government are on the right track. They should request that several of the members of the leadership be indicted by the World Court for hideous crimes against our children, for nothing less is acceptable.
Dennis-I don't think the Vatican "gets it" and somehow, I doubt they ever will. It is almost as if the hierarchical leadership of the church is a self-replicating construct that is cut off from feeling.
ReplyDeleteYes Karen, what you say seems unfortunately correct. There is no connection between the feelings and needs of God's people and the hearts of many in the Episcopacy. They are in factual and emotional schism with the people of God and their leadership is steadily imploding causing a total failure of the RCC as an institution.
ReplyDeleteThe question then becomes is the RCC with the current leadership a positive force for humanity and the presentation of The Way of Christ. Again sadly the answer certainly seems to be no. It is time for civil laws and governments to not allow the leaders of the RCC to have privilege in their countries and to pass and use every law to prosecute misbehavior by members of this medieval leadership cast.
The Vatican are right to express their dismay at the misrepresentations and populist exaggeration in Kenny's speech, which bear almost no relation to the actual findings of the Cloyne Report. Paddy Agnew reports: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0726/1224301383170.html
ReplyDeleteFrom the homily of Archbishop Martin:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0717/breaking22.html
"As believers we know that in the long-term Christ who sows the good seed in our midst will work tirelessly to see that those forces “that provoke offense and who do evil” will not prevail but will face judgement on their lives.
It would however be false to interpret the Gospel reading as if we should simply sit back and allow good and evil to grow together in the hope that in the end the good will win out. It is reminding us that fidelity to the message of Jesus is the way in which we will ensure the victory of the good."
The men in leadership in the RCC should be brought to civil justice as they continue to disassociate themselves from the enormity of the horrific crimes that they enabled and even continue to enable. They continue to have a haughty attitude and do very little to heal the tremendous hurt inside the victims of their lack of responsibility. The "seal of confession" is relatively unimportant when it comes to the protection of others particularly our children.
khughes1963 -
ReplyDeleteYou have the answer in my view. Countless times, one hears "they just don't get it" and always with the implication that they would "get it" if only some breakthrough were to happen. It is painfully obvious to many that they should.
I've grown convinced in the light of continuing, overwhelming evidence that, except for a few noteworthy individuals, the hierarchy essentially, constitutionally cannot "get it", no matter what. Many causes of the phenomenon could be considered - genes, vocation selection processes, education and mis-education, formation, experience, solemn oaths, esprit de corps, fear of authority/Authority, or some combination. Whatever the causal explanation, the effects seem clear.
Further, the episcopal ensemble is created in its own image, as suggested, self-reproducing via nuncios, Congregation for Bishops, and Pope. (Americans on the Congregation are Law, Rigali, Burke, Levada, and Stafford.)
To the extent that this notion of immutability applies, most of the ongoing turmoil is readily understandable but pointless. Ireland may be leading the way with a small step forward toward world recovery. Perhaps Saint Patrick can return to be patron saint of doing what needs to be done, again.
I've just noticed this, which seems relevant to this discussion:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lifesitenews.com/news/divine-judgment-will-fall-on-priests-who-do-not-oppose-abortion-and-attacks
"Cardinal Robert Sarah is warning that priests who fail in their duty to oppose the breakdown of morality in modern society, particularly pro-abortion and anti-family policies, will receive the condemnation of God."
And so forth.
Apparently the ruination of the young by predators in clerical collars with the full knowledge of their bishops is A-OK with God.
*If* he had a sense of shame, he would include himself, or at least his brethren in the episcopate, among those responsible for "anti-family policies" - how much more "anti-family" can one be, than to enable paedophiles ?
He is doing a fantastic job of making the CC looking ridiculous & tawdry. Which is very anti-Catholic.
"He also noted that foreign aid for Catholics “is not merely philanthropic and humanitarian assistance aimed at relieving a certain kind of distress, but also and **above all it entails giving back to human persons all their dignity as children of God**, and promoting an anthropology that also encompasses the religious dimension of human persons, namely their encounter with God.”"
So tell that to the clergy. The laity don't get in a snit the second that members of a group in society are given the right to marry, or to be clearly referred to in Californian history books: but Catholic bishops have used their authority against both moves.
Granted, this is very important:
"2358 The number of high ranking clergy who have deep-seated narcissistic & clericalist tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them, and always for their victims, a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These clerics are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition"
- but we must hate the sin, and love the sinner. They have, of course, no right whatever to be heeded when they require others to marginalise members of society. As for their attraction to the idea of exercising authority in a way that damages others, this attraction must be sternly resisted, for the good of the unfortunates who would have us believe that exercising authority in a way that damages others is natural. It is, as is well known, highly unnatural.
What a brilliant turn of phrase Rat biter. For myself I I hate the sin and pray a great deal that the self absorbed clerical cast will see that light that this kind of abuse of children, whether it be the acts themselves or the pastoral preference for the perpetrators is not just a sin but the denial of The Way.
ReplyDeleteI also pray for all our priests who do get this, and that they will find the courage to tell their truth.
Whenever I hear Church spokesmen bleating about the evils of abortion - while turning a blind eye to clerical abuse of children, the murder of JP1 and countless other outrages - I remember the Scottish priest who refused to fill in his 1971 Census form as a protest on behalf of the millions of people who would never be counted in any future census as a direct consequence of the 1967 Abortion Act. He was determined that he would go to jail rather than silently accept the abominable legislation without taking a stand.
ReplyDeleteAs a result of his brilliant and principled protest, he was put under enormous and sustained pressure by the Church to stop making a nuisance of himself.
Personally, I think that the example he set was directly inspired by the Holy Spirit. If his simple act of justified civil disobedience had been followed by the rest of the Catholic Church in the UK, it would have been a far more effective counter against the pro-abortion bandwagon than any of the reactionary, ineffectual hand-wringing that the Church has indulged itself in during the subsequent 40 years. Had the RC Church led the way at that time, I am certain that millions of others - Jews, Muslims, Presbyterians, Baptists et al - would have gladly made common cause on that particular issue.
I cite this story because it's as good an example as any of how far away the Church's leadership really is from the Spirit of Christianity. There they were in front of an open goal with the chance to take control of the game. They chose instead to foul their own player.
Nobody even had to put themselves out by not filling in a form. There isn't the slightest chance that the government of the day would have prosecuted millions of conscientious objectors who were making their protest without harming a single soul.
The protesters wouldn't even have had to stand up or go marching; all they had to do was not lie down. The Church chose to lie down.
I'm seeing a very similar mentality now with regard to a simple moral choice in Ireland, although this time it is the civil government that has the moral high ground and the Church which is steeped in sin. The reason that the Church cannot bring itself to do the right thing is because it doesn't have the spiritual strength to recognise the right thing to do. Not even when it's staring it in the face.
These are good points Jerry. Why doesn't the church have the spiritual strength to ever recognize the right thing to do, much less actually do the right thing?
ReplyDeleteWhy is protecting the Church's ability to hobnob with the rich and powerful more important than following The Way? Jesus said to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. He didn't say 'suck up to Caesar in order to be like Caesar.'
I have been shown over and over again that the single act which seriously polluted and weakened the spiritual energy of Christianity was the Donation of Constantine---when our 'bishops' literally sold out to Caesar.
I agree, Colkoch.
ReplyDeleteThere is a choice between serving God OR Mammon. Serving both is explicitly excluded from the range of choices. Sucking up to the Caesars - or the CIA or the banks - is incompatible with following the Way of Christ. There ARE clergy who get this but they don't and won't rise up the hierarchy. They are labelled as mavericks, rebels or nuisances whereas they ought to be the mainstream of a healthy Church.
All of the Apostles were a pain in the neck as far as the political orthodoxy of the day was concerned and nearly all of them were executed for standing by their beliefs.
St. Paul claimed his right, as a citizen, to have his case heard by the authorities but now the Vatican resists fair trials in Ireland.
I can only conclude that there is a simple answer to your salient question, "Why doesn't the church have the spiritual strength to ever recognize the right thing to do, much less actually do the right thing?" In my view, the people who now run the Church are no more spiritual than the "whited sepulchres" of two thousand years ago.
A spiritual black hole does not radiate the Light of Christ. On the contrary, it sustains itself by sucking the light and energy out of everything within its sphere of influence.
I don't know about the reliability of this quote which is attributed to Luciano Albini -
”It would be better that we try our accused fellow servants in a court of law so that they can be cleared of any wrong doing and, if found guilty, they should pay their debt to society. It is not Mother Church's business to pay their debt in cash, particularly to pay it with money intended for the poor. Besides, if we take no action to get at the truth, we may very well be endangering countless children in the future.”
The only source I have ever found for it is in the somewhat cranky book "Murder In The Vatican" by Lucien Gregoire. However, it is the sort of statement that the Church leadership should have already made, clearly and unequivocally.
After the death of John Paul the First, I eventually decided that the Catholic Church had lost the light and was not for me. I was still able to give the benefit of the doubt to those who continued to follow its lead, including my own family. But it's only recently that I have felt unable to offer any defence of its glaring spiritual deficiencies.
Its handling of the child abuse scandal is the last straw. When you don't have a leg to stand on in a moral debate against politicians who have sold out the whole of Ireland to the banks, the jig is well and truly up.