How to defend Papacy in crisis?

[cheese_sdc]

** No Catholic at any level has condoned the abuse or, as you wrote, “defended the indefensible.” **

True, they just protected the abuser at the expense of the victim. That makes it better, right?

 

[davidv]

True, they just protected the abuser at the expense of the victim. That makes it better, right?

No, it is not better because it paints with too broad of a brush.

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

One of the things we must assiduously avoid is answering assertions, uttered in bad faith, which are predicated on false assumptions.

If someone makes a statement or asks a question in good faith, and the question assumes something that is not the case, we can, and should, point out the error in the assumption, and do our best to explain the topic under discussion. However, if someone is out to attack the Church, they are acting in bad faith, and we need not be goaded into an exchange with them. It is sufficient to point out that there is an underlying false assumption, and leave the onus of correction with the attacker.

A recent UK newspaper article, for example, stated that the idea of the Holy Father being a head of state was a recent concoction, to shield him from being dragged into court. The bozo clearly knew no history, because Popes have had temporal authority over lands before rulers of England - indeed, well before there was anything like the United Kingdom at all. The appropriate reply to nonsense like this, uttered in attack mode, is simply to correct the underlying assumption, and not try to rebut the assertion that flows from it.

Remember: Anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice, and truth is not a big concern of those who will take any opportunity to attack our Holy Mother. Do good to them by correcting the false assumptions, and leave it at that.

Blessings,

Gerry

 

[st_julie]

The Popes’ policies to “root out the filth” are indeed bringing out the secrets. With that there are a lot of disturbed demons ticked off at what he is doing. Many blessings are being poured out on Benidict XVI , although its hard to see past temporal reality.
Keep praying

 

[eucharisteo]

The Papacy has survived Nero, Diocletian, the fall of Rome, the machinations of kings and emperors bent on power, the Arian heresy (and all other heresies), the Mohammedens, the Great Schism, the Avignon years, the Reformation, the Reign of Terror, Napoleon, Hitler, and thousands of other assaults large and small.

It will survive CNN.

Speak the truth and speak it charitably.

1ke, don’t let this go to your head. Twice in one day.


I especially like “The Papacy has survived Nero”

 

[eucharisteo]

For me, even if Pope Benedict XVI was guilty of those allogations it wouldn’t matter now because that was then and this is now. He is the Holy father and because of it he will not, can not fail the Church. Many priests have struggled and risen out of their heresies. Some have fallen, but many have survived. He will no doubt reign triumphant by the way he’s handling this “crisis”.