Loyalty vs. truth
Thursday November 30, 2006
In a press conference yesterday, on the day that contents of confidential Fort Worth Catholic diocese files on sexually abusive priests hit the papers, FW Bishop Kevin Vann held a press conference. He profusely apologized for the abuse, which took...
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Rod Dreher is an editorial columnist for the Dallas Morning News, and author of "Crunchy Cons" (Crown Forum), a nonfiction book about conservatives, most of them religious, whose faith and political convictions sometimes put them at odds with mainstream conservatives. The views expressed in this blog are his own.
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Clericalism never died. We have the same routines up here. One dast NOT criticize a Bishop or priest.
The perps should consider themselves lucky that they were not PISTOL-WHIPPED--and the coverup-specialist Bishops the same, by the way.
But we shouldn't say "boo."
Right.>
From a Russian Orthodox point of view, I'm tempted to draw a link between this kind of high-handedness and papal infallibility.
Christianity, unusually among traditions, considers humility a virtue, and quite an important one. There is always a tension between being humble and saying that we Christians, collectively, comprise the Body of Christ (the church). At best, this is part of a great and awesome mystery, that God has called us to be something higher than our sins would merit, has given us a great and undeserved honor; and this mystery can inspire us to strive to be better.
But the roles that we play when we take the role of representing the Church can also be a source of temptation. And this temptation may be particularly acute when the model of the church is a monarchical, rather than a conciliar one.
In the early/High Middle Ages, sometime in the generations leading up to the Gregorian revolution, the Investiture Conflict, and the East-West split, the popes took the fatal step of setting themselves above the other bishops who should have been their peers. The pope became a person who could not admit to error-- in a conciliar church there are no such people-- and this inability to admit error may have become part of Catholic culture, and filtered down to other bishops.>
Oh, puhleeze- as if there is no clericalism among the Orthodox.>
Sexual deviates do not belong in the priesthood and any priest who corrupts a minor should be permanently removed from ministry. It is enough for Bishop Vann to say this. Criticism of his predecessor is implied. He has no obligation to give the press a juicy quote for the headlines. And it would not be right for him to condemn Bishop Delaney publicly without some very good reason for doing so.>
Hmmmmmmmm
I guess the coverup and settlement cost aren't evidence of something worth condemnation?>
I dunno, Nathan, there's a lot of clericalism or something very close to it at the top of the OCA now, which is manifesting itself in a serious financial scandal. I believe clericalism is present in all churches, and frankly in all religions, owing to the nature of religion. Men who represent God, or who stand in special relation to God as clergy, will always be elevated in the minds of the faithful, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Ideally, the clergy are more prayerful, more moral, and so forth, than us laymen. It's only a bad thing when people forget, or deny, that clergy are also flesh and blood human beings, susceptible to the same temptations as the rest of us. Bishop Delaney trying to put a fig leaf over his corrupt priests is at root the same thing as Adam and Eve trying to hide themselves from the sight of God in Eden.
Mind you, I'm sure that clericalism takes on different forms in different religious traditions, owing to the specifics of that tradition. But I believe it's universal, because the conditions that give rise to it are inescapably part of human nature.>
Ditto to all that, Rod. Well written and all true.>
It can also be defined as cronyism. We see it in politics, military, law enforcement, education, etc. and so on.
The basis for it is the us-them theology.>
"Clericalism" isn't part of my vocabulary yet, and I'm trying to pick up the meaning from what other commenters are posting. I have read about "anti-clericalism" in history books: Anarchists and Communists murdering priests and nuns during the Spanish Civil War, that kind of thing. Maybe "one dare NOT criticize a priest or a bishop" is a definition? But then, of course, Christ says "Judge not that ye be not judged," and "Remove the beam from thine own eye so that thou mightest see clearly to remove the mote from thy brother's eye." That could be one reason not to criticize a priest or a bishop-- or anyone else, for that matter. But since we interact with priests and bishops in an especially emphatically Christian context, it might apply more to them. I'm not sure.
Whatever "clericalism" is, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it exists in OCA as well (or in ROCOR, my church). And the most obvious explanation for the lack of scandals in ROCOR as severe as those in the Catholic Church is not, of course, in medieval history, but in the fact that they are allowed to marry, so that the priesthood is not affected by the same adverse selection problems.
That said, when I hear "every bishop is a good bishop," I do detect a hint of the spiritual pride that might once have inspired the popes to elevate themselves above their colleagues to be the sole Vicars of Christ.
(Of course I'm sure the same man, if the question were framed differently, would also have affirmed that every bishop is a sinner, in need of Christ's grace for salvation, that he is a "good bishop" by virtue of his ecclesiastical office and by the grace of God; and he might add that to say he was unfit for his office because of his personal behavior would be a rerun of the Donatist heresy.)>
As a practical matter, criticism of his predecessor's handling of the sex abuse cases could be construed as an admission of negligence that could be used in ongoing or future litigation. There is no reason for Bishop Vann to place the people's parishes at risk be making a throwaway global judgment of his predecessor at a press conference. The documents say what they say, and they are sufficient for you and I to draw our own conclusions from them.>
And the most obvious explanation for the lack of scandals in ROCOR as severe as those in the Catholic Church is not, of course, in medieval history, but in the fact that they are allowed to marry, so that the priesthood is not affected by the same adverse selection problems.
Of course, the fact that the ROCOR is so small compared to the RCC is also a factor. Given that the number of priests who have done these things is a very small percentage of the total number of the priests, that percentage of ROCOR clergy would be very tiny, whereas the same percentage of RCC clergy would add up to many more individuals.>
David, sadly it appears that there is a unproportionately higher percentage of gay priests then there are in the general population. In my previous parish the priest mentioned in one of his sermons watching the sunset with his "friend" at Key West. In other sermons he has mentioned that a group of friends living together is the same as a traditional family (a subtle arguement for gay marriage). I can go on with many similar stories.
Sadly, after Vatican II there was an exodus of men who fled the priesthood to marry. Some faithful priests stayed but it appears that the majority who stayed had no desire to marry or even be with a woman. The priesthood was in effect colonized by gays.
I have mixed feelings about a married priesthood. On one hand I am all for adopting the eastern Orthodox model. This would bring healthier men and make it more difficult for perverts to operate. On the other, it is one of the pillars for the dissident movement and they would look at it as a triumph and feel encouraged to push for more "reforms" such as woman priests.
It may be possible in future generations.
Going back to the original topic it greatly saddens me to see how the bishops and priests cover for each other and the indifference they have for victims. Is there a code of silence that exists similar to organized crime? This has really affected me in that I do not look at these guys the same anymore.>
Beauty is as beauty does. Let's see how the new bishop behaves in his turn, and spend less time on what he says.>
Going back to the original topic it greatly saddens me to see how the bishops and priests cover for each other and the indifference they have for victims. Is there a code of silence that exists similar to organized crime? This has really affected me in that I do not look at these guys the same anymore.
They'll never learn. I've given up on them. The only way to even approach good behavior is to watch them every minute.>
Cajetan,
Before throwing celibacy out with the bathhouse water, it might be worth asking whether gay men are over represented in the priesthood world wide, or just in America. If it's an American problem, then before a solution can be found the cause of the over representation (which, if primarily an American problem, would not seem to be celibacy) should be addressed. Of course, even if an unintended effect of celibacy is an increase of men with deep seated tendencies, the proper solution might be a better selection process rather than married priests.
Given the quality of spiritual advice and theological analysis I have observed from permanent deacons, I certainly do not pine for married priests.>
This circle-the-wagons reflex of the clergy in the face of the Great Horror reminds me of Tennyson's Launcelot:
"His honour rooted in dishonour stood/ And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.">
Maybe the Russian Orthodox bishops were to busy filling out KGB paperwork to pursue other sins.>
Loudon is a Fool, you make a good point. If it is the case that homosexuality is much more common in the American priesthood then elsewhere then only Rome can fix the problem. As a father of 5 young children, I know I could never meet the demands of the priesthood where all of your parish are your spiritual children.
Diane, I do not know the statistics of public school teachers but I expect more (much more) from priests. I have seen too many priests with my own eyes who spoke in riddles just to keep themselves just an inch in the closet. Others are more overt. This is a serious problem.
And in terms of communist spying, Rod posted last month about a Hungarian Cardinal who spied for the communists. He told me after Cardinal Mindszenty left Hungary, the Hungarian clergy were dominated by communists. This is also true for much of eastern bloc central Europe including Poland.>
Mr. Dreher, would an example of this loyalty be like when CNN aired that videotape made by that Iraqi sniper of him killing American troops while few in the MSM, your employer included failed to criticize such an obvious example of Liberal bias? What about when the MSM failed to report on John Murtha's Abscam Problems until after the election? His main problem being he was an unindicted co-conspirator in that crap. Yes, the church should do better and helped make the mess she is in. That does not absolve your colleagues in the MSM from practicing what they preach.>
It's good to see that the doctrine of ex opere operato is alive and well and applies apparently to whatever a bishop does.>
People, Homosexuality is homosexuality. PEDOPHILES is what these priests are. It would not matter if they were married. Besides that these men did not only abuse boys they also abused girls. Why do we always view the boy abuse worse than the girl abuse?
You have to remember that there are far more gay priests that are celibate, and they certainly would not hurt minors because they are not interested in children.
Just because a priest is gay does not mean that he is not worthy of being a priest. Yes, he should remain celibate (as the Catholic faith requires it). I know some gay priests that are far better priests than some heterosexual ones. Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.
Also, I can hardly believe that this is a problem that is only in America.>
Diane, I have seen other posts where you say that there is much more sexual abuse in public schools. I live near Cleveland, OH and I hardly ever hear of any sexual abuse. Where do you live?>
Deb, the John Jay study found that the overwhelming majority of victims of Catholic clerical abuse were post pubescent boys. This is homosexuality.
Gay literature is well known for its obsession with male youth.>
Before throwing celibacy out with the bathhouse water, it might be worth asking whether gay men are over represented in the priesthood world wide, or just in America.
Father Tom Doyle told me once that back in the 1980s, when he was helping the papal nuncio in Washington vet candidates for vacant bishoprics, he met with his counterpart from a Latin American country. Fr. Doyle told that priest that he (Fr. Doyle) had trouble finding candidates that were straight; he said that his colleague admitted having trouble finding candidates that were not involved with women and had children.>
Deb, Schools can still cover things up. As a lawyer (back in the day), I represented a school in a teacher-student case. I was young and idealistic and thought of the victim as my client (OK, that was a mistake, but I was the one assigned to interview her, befriend her, and shepherd her through the process). Even though the (I still believe guilty) teacher did not lose his job because of an arbitrater's decision, my senior partner considered this case a "win" because no publicity resulted. That's the reality.>
Ye, pray ye sinners. Lament ye cravings. Thou art lamenting in thy sin. I say pray away ye evil spirits, and move the a new transcendence o' ye spirit. Take ye hands and place thy faith upon something greater, like a Cock, or Horse.>
The Antiochian archdiocese had a scandal a few years ago with a bishop harassing a woman. I won't go into the details, but the metropolitan took him right out of his diocese.
Then again, in the mid-80s the Greeks here in the US had a hellish scandal. They punished the bishop, but refused to acknowlege his acts. It was a hushed up punishment. That involved a woman, too.
The key to me is that the person is removed from a position where he can hurt others. That is the most crucial point. As a journalist and as a churchman, I would plead for candor.>
These types of scandals have been present in the American (and Irish) hierarchy for centuries now, without any repercussion. For some reason the American bishops feel that they are far enough away from Rome to ignore that which they dislike and teach only that which is non-controversial. Those who remember the scandals involving Cardinal Cody and his female 'friend', even up to the point of taking her to the Vatican to be photographed with the Holy Father (Paul VI) will understand where these scandals are rooted - the American bishops do what they want, and if the Pope doesn't use a heavy-hand, it will continue and get worse. The United States has never forgotten it's protestant roots completely, not even within the Catholic hierarchy and priesthood.>
I am so tired of homosexuals being considered pedophiles. For heaven's sake this is heresy.
I was molested as a young woman by a straight heterosexual man. When talking about molestation these heterosexual men are called - you guessed it - pedophiles. I can't even begin to tell you how many girlfriends I have that were molested by obviously heterosexual men. THEY are everywhere. THEY are creating far more harm everyday than these few pedophile priests.
Cajetan - have you looked at heterosexual pornography? For God's sake there is a HUGE obsession with females looking under the age of 18!>
I think it's called being charitable and also protecting the diocese, and the laity who fund it, from further lawsuits and such...>
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