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PDF versionTweedle Dum in Brussels
by Michael Sean Winters on Dec. 29, 2010
I know, I know. I always try to be respectful of bishops, even when I am critical of them, even when I am highly critical of them. Ex opere operato and all that ... they are successors of the apostles. And, of course, in the Gospels, the apostles are often clueless yet they went on to be heroic.
But, the comments of Archbishop Leonard of Brussels before a parliamentary committee are so offensive and so, well, stupid, they leave one speechless.
Those comments are also completely at odds with the tone and tenor of the comments made by the Holy Father when he has addressed the issue, as recently as last week during his speech to the curia.
Archbishop Leonard appears, like Congressman-elect Kelly about whom I wrote below, as the type of people who can do a great deal of damage because of their arrogance. It is shocking Leonard was appointed to this important post. He should be removed as quickly as possible. The issue of clergy sex abuse is simply too important - the Church's credibility as a herald of the Gospel too much at stake - to allow fools to continue uttering such offensive things.
Nothing will happen. Rome
Nothing will happen. Rome will not remove a Bishop, no matter what he does. The laity can do nothing about it....except for more and more of them to vote with their feet.
The stunningly arrogant
The stunningly arrogant Leonard has made nasty remarks before this as well. Was there any vetting process before he was appointed? Didn't Daneels have a say in which names went on the list? Surly he knew Leonard and what he was Like. He should be "retired" forthwith.
All Christians (note I did
All Christians (note I did not say Catholics) are in a very real sense, heirs to the apostles. A/B Leonard needs to be jailed as an accessory to rape after the fact.
Michael, the claim that the
Michael, the claim that the bishops are the successors to the apostles is one of the big scams of history. No such thing can be demonstrated from history. Further, there is no indication from any source that Peter ever thought of himself as a Pope. These are fictions later invented by men who sought to have power in the Church.
"A bishop never more
"A bishop never more resembles Jesus Christ than when he has his mouth shut." Attributed to St. Ignatius of Antioch.
This man with his bad mouth is definitely NOT Christ-like, so what is he? The term "diabolical" comes to mind for a start.
“Catholic are made to suffer more from the church than for it.” Flannery O’Connor
Don't you think it's time? On
Don't you think it's time? On the count of three, let's all leave the church.
Unfortunately, Archbishop
Unfortunately, Archbishop Leonard is only giving voice to what a lot of bishops believe. The difference is that they are just smart enough to not say it in public.
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