NCR's John Allen Speaks to German Abuse Crisis on the News Hour

by Joe Feuerherd on Mar. 18, 2010

Last night, NCR Senior Correspondent John Allen appeared on the PBS News Hour to discuss the abuse crisis in Germany.

Here's the setup piece.

Here's the interview with John.

Some crucial points in Mr.

Submitted by frère charles du désert OSB OBLAT (Congrégation de Subiaco) (not verified) on Mar. 19, 2010.

Some crucial points in Mr. Allen's excellent presentation:

" . . .it might erode his moral authority, particularly his ability to help lead the church out of this crisis."

" . . .what makes the story out of Munich so potentially damaging to the pope, because, particularly if there are other cases, if a pattern emerges in which guys were simply moved around on his watch, then I think some people might ask the question, will the pope credibly be able to discipline other bishops, if it turns out that, during his time as a bishop, he had many of the same problems?"

While mentioning the edict of 2001 which funneled all of these cases into the Vatican (and the CDF), producing an "avalanche" of cases, Mr. Allen does not mention here as elsewhere the severely pontifical secrecy under which this had to occur, by orders of Cardinal Ratzinger.

By the way, is that Denver in the background?

It does not appear the Appian Way . . .

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