Follow the path of truth wherever it may lead...
Someone needs to get film rights for this.
I guess the news broke today, and so far, the only place I noticed anyone writing about it was on Facebook. Today the shit hits the fan, once everyone reads Monsignor Anthony J. A. Figueiredo's report. Figueiredo was Cardinal McCarrick's secretary, so I think he's rather credible. I respect his intentions as he expressed them in his introcuctory notes:
It is my firm hope that this information will help the Church as she further endeavors to create a culture of transparency. This report, which may form the first of others, is a contribution to the wish of Pope Francis and the Holy See “to follow the path of truth wherever it may lead” in terms of the ongoing McCarrick investigation (Pope Francis, Philadelphia, USA, September 27, 2015; Press Statement of the Holy See, October 6, 2018). It aims to help the US Bishops in their promise last August to “pursue the many questions surrounding Archbishop McCarrick’s conduct … we are determined to find the truth in this matter” (Statement of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President, USCCB, August 1, 2018). - The Figueiredo ReportAs I wrote on FB, one quote from McCarrick, more or less defending his conduct (inviting or choosing a seminarian or young priest to share his bed) echoed the claims by Michael Jackson, defending similar conduct. The quote from McCarrick is very much like Michael Jackson's denial of wrong doing when he said, "The most loving thing to do, is to share your bed with someone."
McCarrick: "“I do recognize that in one particular [case] I had been at fault in an unfortunate lack of judgment. I have always considered my priests and seminarians as part of my family, and just as I have shared a bed with my cousins and uncles and other relatives without thinking of it being wrong, I had done this on occasion when the Diocesan Summer House was overcrowded. In no case were there minors involved, but men in their twenties and thirties.” - The Figueiredo ReportWhat could be more wholesome or natural?
"I have always considered my priests and seminarians as part of my family..."
It is rather chilling how former Cardinal McCarrick, and Michael Jackson, excused their despicable actions. They act as if it is a normal, friendly thing to do, and seem surprised that anyone would think otherwise. Neither are/were stupid men. Did they for one minute consider that they were in positions of authority, being older and admired by others, and that decent behavior was expected of them? Their victims were far younger - children and young men discerning holy vocations. They needed the mentoring of moral, good men - not "cuddling" by homosexual/pedophile predators, who held their futures in their hands. God forgive me and them. I have absolutely no sympathy for McCarrick or Jackson or any others of their ilk. We all have responsibilities to others, and it is purely evil to take selfish, unwholesome advantage of anyone, particularly defenseless children and those adults who are under their authority, and who cannot easily protect their chastity. It was not a "loving" thing to do. Their victims were frightened, confused, and horrified at what they were forced to do. Instead of pitying the perpetrator, I would far rather comfort and defend the victims, whose souls, bodies, and mental states have forever been endangered and warped.
ReplyDeleteSusan you said it well. There is more however to this issue I think that we often overlook. These crimes are not solely sexual, although that is a major motivation. The prime motivator is power over another person. The cult of personality that promotes the obedience to and worship of another is the driving force. You see it in all cults be it religious or political. There is a primal force at work and it always has an evil base. Just look for the suspension of reason and the herd mentality and you will find it present.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Mr. H. Abuse of power and authority is a vile thing, and the former Cardinal, especially, knew exactly what he was doing. He knew the young men and children respected him and his vocation, and that they had allegiance to the Church, which he represented to them. The children were frightened, and had been repeatedly told by their trusting parents, no doubt, that they must respect and do whatever McCarrick asked of them. As for the seminarians, they not only grew up respecting and obeying priestly/hierarchical authority, but knew McCarrick held their futures, and their vocations, in his hands. And knowing all this, McCarrick took full, unholy, disgraceful advantage of his position. He has no defense. I hope he spends the rest of his days in penance and fasting on behalf of the souls he so grievously damaged, and for the damage he has done to our beloved Church.
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