Posted on 02/11/2006 6:15:13 AM PST by NYer
February 10, 2006 - Chicago's Francis Cardinal George sent a letter containing an ultimatum to priests. Seemingly stunned by the ongoing issue of priest sex abuse, the cardinal has called for any priest living a double life to come forward for the good of the church.
Francis Cardinal George is tending to his wounded flock, dispatching a letter to more than 400 churches across the Archdiocese.
In his letter to priests the Cardinal writes:
"All of us are sinners, but there are types of perversion that are completely incompatible with the calling toward ordained priesthood."
The cardinal apologizes for not acting more quickly to remove Father Dan McCormack, who now stands accused of molesting three boys in recent years. There is a claim that the priest continued to abuse one boy even after the Archdiocese was alerted to an abuse claim.
The cardinal writes, "All of us are shamed. I apologize to each of you for not finding some way to at least provisionally remove McCormack, even without an accuser or accusation."
And then, the Archbishop of Chicago delivered a direct demand of all who wear the collar.
"There is so much I remain unaware of, yet I am, in the end, responsible for it all. I want to say now that if there is any priest that is leading a double life, he should for the sake of the Church come forward."
While the Cardinal has been accused of protecting his own, he has many supporters, some of whom plan a rally outside Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday.
"What Father McCormack did is wrong and awful for the church but Cardinal George is not totally to blame," said Connie McCartney, Catholic.
The cardinal wrote a second letter, this one addressed to the laity. In it, he apologizes for what he calls "the great embarrassment every Catholic must now feel."
A priest told ABC7 Friday night that many in ministry feel especially vulnerable now to unfounded accusations. They worry there is now a "presumption of guilt" against any priest accused of abuse.
Agreed.
I just made some observations.
The practical reality is that any priest who is accused - even if unjustly - is automatically anethema.
Regardless of any official Church action.
My observation is that such a sad situation may have a silver lining - and who better to suffer than the category of folks responsible for the whole mess to begin with.
Clergy failed to supervise properly, failed to lead preperly, failed to form properly, failed to manage properly, failed to discipline properly, and failed to pressure their peers and leaders properly - all of which could have severely reduced or minimized the impact of this scandal (a scandal created, as well, by priests).
I agree.
A most interesting and telling line.
The Cardinal seems to sense the existence of a hidden subculture and implies that this whole mess is by no means cleared up. He knows that he's being deceived but not by whom. Or perhaps he has his suspicions but can't pin anything on anyone.
The previous incumbent of the Archdiocese expressly asked for the Windy City Gay Men's Chorus to sing at his wake so Card. George is surely well aware that he has inherited an archdiocese where homosexual culture was not only tolerated but even promoted.
Each day must bring the burden of knowing that the can of worms left by his predeccessor could burst open and cause havoc. It certainly seems that way from the sound of his letter.
I forgot .. who was his predecessor?
Bernardin..........
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