Cardinal McCarrick's in trouble.
I thought of the Michael Jackson quote only after I was told about the story - which broke today - about Cardinal McCarrick and an alleged sexual abuse incident. Embedded in the story are anecdotes revealing accusations that years ago the Cardinal used to have seminarians sleep with him - not for sex, but to cuddle. As Mame would say, "now what could be more wholesome or natural than that?" Just kidding.
Seriously, the rumors about the Cardinal's homosexuality are spreading online like wild fire. I have heard the rumors for years and ended up disliking the gossips who repeated it to me. Many who delight in repeating these stories are reformed gays who tried their vocation in numerous outfits which accept men with ssa and or former gays. In such environs, gossip about gay priests, bishops, and cardinals is shared with delight and scorn - especially if they themselves have been somehow rebuffed or passed over. I know that sounds bitchy - because it is bitchy. Gay stuff is bitchy. So the bitches are out slandering Cardinal McCarrick - and if the claims are all true - then it's outright detraction - to the extent those ordinary Catholics who do not follow 'court gossip' wouldn't have known about it. Without real documentation - it seems to me these stories also verge on calumny. I may be wrong, but there is something wrong with how eager 'devout' people are to spread scandal.
Anyway. As everyone now knows, Cardinal Dolan announced that McCarrick is under suspension from ministry while a credible allegation that as a priest McCarrick abused a minor - a boy - is investigated. That's SOP for credible allegations, priests have come through that untainted and resumed ministry. It can spark other allegations - but they remain allegations and will be investigated. Unfortunately it appears the Cardinal has had similar allegations against him by adults - 3 cases - two were apparently settled out of court.
I'm not defending McCarrick or gay priests and bishops, but I'm also not going after them the way some people online are in the process of doing. Catholics who read Randy Engel's book, The Rite of Sodomy are intent upon exposing the dark history of homosexuals in the priesthood. Good bye good men and all of that. Truth be told, bishops like McCarrick is probably why no one paid attention to these rumors and books in the first place. Because of bishops like him, one can assume it is probably why seminary rectors and vocation directors never turned away gay candidates. Despite the fact the Holy See has always taught such men should not be admitted to seminary, something Pope Francis recently reiterated. Yet even the faithful - clergy and laity - have pretty much made the exceptions to that rule their policy. (Three years of chaste celibacy is no guarantee - as recent cases clearly demonstrate.) People have to know that, especially former gay men who think they have a vocation, and those bishops who sponsor them. That is terribly unfair to the candidates, BTW.
The problem has always been a problem of homosexuality and NOT paedophilia. Don't tell anyone I said that though. Oh. And the stuff Fr. Martin, S.J. is teaching is what gay-friendly priests and bishops have always taught, albeit privately. How many times I was told to just accept myself and see Jesus in the eyes and limbs of my lovers. Just look and see what has happened in the last 50 years.
Just saying.
Prayers for the Church and her ministers for purification and fidelity to the Gospel.
Song for this post here.
