At Vatican's Easter Mass, Cardinal Sodano defends Pope against 'petty gossip' [CWN]

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Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered a remarkable defense of Pope Benedict towards the beginning of Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square. "We are …

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“We are deeply grateful to you for the strength of spirit and apostolic courage with which you announce the Gospel,” said Cardinal Sodano. “Holy Father, on your side are the people of God, who do not allow themselves to be influenced by the petty gossip of the moment, by the trials which sometimes buffet the community of believers.

I was somewhat appalled by how Cardinal Sodano labeled the maelstrom of very serious sexual abuse cases sweeping through the Catholic Church as petty gossip. I wondered what he considers serious gossip? To me it is rather dismissive of the seriousness of the crisis and makes me wonder whether the hierarchy in Rome are so insulated from what is taking place on the front lines of every diocese in every country, that they are making egregious mistakes in the handling of this crisis. One cardinal came out saying that it is the worse crisis facing the Church since the Reformation. It is discouraging to me that the Vatican still doesn’t get it and is still trying to protect its image at the expense of those who suffered so much at the hands of those who should have protected them.

Many Catholics are leaving the Church or losing faith over this and while many on here deride them as cafeteria or nominal Catholics relegating them to a 2nd or 3rd tier level, the Lord in the Gospels commanded the shepherd to go after the one lost sheep who strayed from the fold while leaving the 99 sheep in the fold. We are talking about the possibility of souls losing their salvation and facing eternal damnation from the way these events unfolded in their lives.

I would be curious what do others think about the Cardinal’s comments describing it as “petty gossip”. Is the Vatican like a corporation where the CEO doesn’t know what is really occurring out there in the field? Do you think information is being filtered or even kept hidden by those around Pope?
 
I applaud the Cardinal for voicing words of public support for the Holy Father. The Pope, after all, is human and I am sure disheartened by all of this. The Cardinal and others close to the Pope probably know better than we do how much this has hurt the Holy Father.

Many people here on CAF and elsewhere seem to have lost sight of the fact that this isn’t just a story, these are real people, with real emotions and deserving of our respect and consideration. To offer a little encouragement during the Easter season is praiseworthy.
 
I think it looked very bad indeed to have the reports, investgations, and government commissions referred to as petty gossip, while at the same time the Popes Easter message addressed just about everyone and everything EXCEPT for the victims of abuse.
 
I’ve been looking for a place to post my thoughts on the news reports from Holy Week and think I will take this opportunity.

No one is defending the abuse that children and teens experienced at the hands of sinful priests nor the cover up from bishops at the time. But it saddened me and angered me to see the constant reports from the media about Pope Benedict XVI saying he has not apologized for crimes committed by others decades ago. He recently addressed the Ireland scandal by letter. The recent reports for old cases (the Milwaukee Fr. Murphy case, for example) was just tearing open old wounds during this most holy week, when the focus should have been on Jesus’ death and resurrection.

I’m glad the Holy Father tried to remain focued on that and not allow the media to control his message and didn’t resort to sound-bites.

God Bless our Holy Father!

Denise
 
Time will tell if the Cardinal made the right choice of words. Claiming the media reports are “petty gossip” may just fan the flames, or it may be overlooked as simply denial.
 
I am very disappointed in the comments by the Archbishop and other high-placed officials in the Church. I rest on the words of my old Polish grandmother, ‘Jesus (resides) on the altar for you. A priest is only a man. He can make a mistake. Never let your anger against a priest come between you and Jesus and the Church.’ I will add, if we abandoned every organization that made stupid mistakes, we would have no relationships at all.

I read a comment that, in the German abuse case, a vice-chancellor is responsible for the reassignment of the abuser-priest. The archbishop (our Pope) was not aware. IF this is so, it was his job to be aware. The only comments coming from the Vatican should be, We are so sorry, and we will take action to prevent this in the future.

How unfortunate for all of the dedicated priests who are besmirched by this stupid and irresponsible behavior.
 
Guyonthestreet said:
I think it looked very bad indeed to have the reports, investgations, and government commissions referred to as petty gossip, while at the same time the Popes Easter message addressed just about everyone and everything EXCEPT for the victims of abuse.
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Except he did not refer to any investigation of government commission as petty gossip, did he. No, this is the same mistake made by the British press, among others of seeing only part of the picture. The petty gossip is what has been coming out in the media under the guise of “news”. I have seen enough lies and false reports printed in the last two weeks build a stong distrust in England’s press (the worst offenders). I wouldn’t trust them to get the score of a ball game correct now.

The recent allegations are both remote and unsubstantiated. It is unlikely that anything can be proven after such a long passage of time re-opening these cases. Therefore, gossip is as accurate of a term as anything.
 
Hi,

Given the serious and very volitile situation, it was a very poor choice of words, even if he was referring to the reports. And I’m sure they will rethink the entire handling of these reports when the contribution figures for this year are tallied.

Many strong, faithful Catholics are calling for a compassionate and responsible answer—it is not just those in the cafeteria.

Lux
 
Ecoclimber said:
Is the Vatican like a corporation where the CEO doesn’t know what is really occurring out there in the field? Do you think information is being filtered or even kept hidden by those around Pope?
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There is a serious blindness in the Church that has been allowed to flourish and become a standard operating procedure that is in opposition to apostolic instruction. Compare this mentality to St. Paul’s instruction.

*Ephesians 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. **“Expel the wicked man from among you.” ***

The Church allows immoral men to serve the Eucharist. Would you say we are eating with them? The hierarchy has been running a “Good Ol’ Boys” club that does not encourage speaking up when a wrong has been committed. Cover-ups are rewarded with promotions.
 
ron77nyc said:
The Church allows immoral men to serve the Eucharist. Would you say we are eating with them? The hierarchy has been running a “Good Ol’ Boys” club that does not encourage speaking up when a wrong has been committed. Cover-ups are rewarded with promotions.
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And what is your opinion of all the changes that have been made in the last decade to change this situation? Are you even aware of them?
 
ron77nyc said:
There is a serious blindness in the Church that has been allowed to flourish and become a standard operating procedure that is in opposition to apostolic instruction. Compare this mentality to St. Paul’s instruction.

*Ephesians 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?* I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. **“Expel the wicked man from among you.” **

The Church allows immoral men to serve the Eucharist. Would you say we are eating with them? The hierarchy has been running a “Good Ol’ Boys” club that does not encourage speaking up when a wrong has been committed. Cover-ups are rewarded with promotions.
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Good post. I never thought about it in that context. What do Catholics do about the Eucharist if there is a known priest who is under supervision and who is serving in a parish? 🤷
 
CWN_News said:
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered a remarkable defense of Pope Benedict towards the beginning of Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square. "We are …

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IN-teresting. Cardinal Sodano is named in a big article in today’s NCR as having received lots of cash and special dinners from the Legion of Christ, whom he strongly supported. This article includes a number of interviews with former seminarians, both lay and priests.

ncronline.org/news/accountability/money-paved-way-maciels-influence-vatican

The long and short of this article is “follow the money.” It turns out that the Legion received millions in donations from devout wealthy laypeople in Mexico (Maciel’s home), the US and Europe, and funneled a great deal of it to the Vatican. Envelopes of cash, lavish gift baskets, large lavish dinners. One former seminarian reported that he *personally *had delivered envelopes stuffed with cash to Sodano, among others, and that the Legion hosted lavish dinners for Sodano’s large family when he became a cardinal. JPII made Maciel the head of an institute in Rome the year he died–that was probably the occasion in which the pope blessed Maciel. Ratzinger censured Maciel a few months later.
 
pnewton said:
And what is your opinion of all the changes that have been made in the last decade to change this situation? Are you even aware of them?
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It’s like closing the barn door after the horse runs away. The instructions for discipline in the Church were available since St. Jerome made his first translation of the bible. Who knows how many thousands of children have been damaged? Who knows how many of the clergy were encouraged by knowing they would be protected?

The only reason for the changes in the past 10 years are because of pressure from secular authorities. These changes were not done in the spirit of love and concern for the children of loyal Catholics.
 
anode said:
IN-teresting. Cardinal Sodano is named in a big article in today’s NCR as having received lots of cash and special dinners from the Legion of Christ, whom he strongly supported.
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Here is more about Sodano. abcnews.go.com/Blotter/questions-pope-benedicts-role-sex-scandal/story?id=10241536&page=2

Investigative Reporter Says Top Vatican Official Pushed Cardinal Ratzinger Not to Investigate Legion of Christ Founder Father Maciel; Ratzinger Punished Maciel After Becoming Pope

The Vatican official in charge of the investigation was then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict. Cardinal Ratzinger became upset when I tried to ask him about the delay in the Maciel case in 2002. “You do not come to me,” he said, and slapped my hand away.

Berry now says Ratzinger was pressured to halt the case by a well-placed Maciel ally, Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

" And Ratzinger basically got the message do not go after this man," said Berry.
 
Here is more about Sodano. abcnews.go.com/print?id=10241536

Now investigative journalist Jason Berry says that Cardinal Ratzinger was pressured not to pursue allegations of abuse against Father Marcial Maciel, considered a favorite of Pope John Paul II, because of pressure from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano. It was only after Ratzinger became Pope that he forced Maciel into retirement, although he did not strip him of his priestly powers.

Cardinal Ratzinger became upset when I tried to ask him about the delay in the Maciel case in 2002. “You do not come to me,” he said, and slapped my hand away.

Berry now says Ratzinger was pressured to halt the case by a well-placed Maciel ally, Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

" And Ratzinger basically got the message do not go after this man," said Berry.
 
ron77nyc said:
It’s like closing the barn door after the horse runs away. The instructions for discipline in the Church were available since St. Jerome made his first translation of the bible. Who knows how many thousands of children have been damaged? Who knows how many of the clergy were encouraged by knowing they would be protected?
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That is the exact question. Who knows? Do you? Have you convicted the Holy Father like others have already? Do you have no regard for justice and due process?

The journalist stated:

Cardinal Ratzinger became upset when I tried to ask him about the delay in the Maciel case in 2002. “You do not come to me,” he said, and slapped my hand away.

What experience I have from journalist is that they can be arrogant, vindictive and vengeful. They do not take rebuke well and are not beyond retribution. This action, and the fact that the journalist thought it need to be reported, as if his ego is a news story, shows me he lacks objectivity.
 
The news article actually says Cardinal Sodano is the one responsible for suppressing the truth --------- not the pope.
 
pnewton;6491740:
The petty gossip is what has been coming out in the media under the guise of “news”. I have seen enough lies and false reports printed in the last two weeks build a stong distrust in England’s press (the worst offenders). I wouldn’t trust them to get the score of a ball game correct now.

The recent allegations are both remote and unsubstantiated. It is unlikely that anything can be proven after such a long passage of time re-opening these cases. Therefore, gossip is as accurate of a term as anything.
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**“Holy Father, on your side are the people of God, who do not allow themselves to be influenced by the petty gossip of the moment, by the trials which sometimes buffet the community of believers.” **

What he said above could be taken as a reference to journalistic errors, but thats not the only interpretation one can take from it.

So it’s a poor choice of words.

I dont agree either with your point that ‘gossip’’ is an accurate term just because you say the recent allegations are remote and unsubstantiated.

They are yet to be either substantiated or dismissed. So they are allegations. Not gossip.

Gossip is a very poor choice of word in the circumstances.

In my opinion.

Obviously.

You are welcome and free to disagree.

Obviously.
 
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