The Catholic Church

The current travails of the Catholic Church have some deep roots. The current controversy of the Pennsylvania allegations are just the most recent manifestation. The investigation in Boston and the extensive coverage of long standing issues in Ireland are just some of the issues they face.

As I see it the Church has a series of possible reactions.

1. Declare that something is wrong and open a large and wide ranging inquiry to the public.
2. Think something is wrong and open a secret but wide ranging inquiry.
3. Think something is wrong and decide they cannot act.
4. Think something is wrong and decide they will not act.
5. Do not think anything is wrong.

To my way of thinking #1 is the best course of action. I'm a firm believer in the efficacy of sunlight. There are some serious down sides to this approach. The public relations response might be full on disastrous. And the law suits might be very, very expensive. This leads to point 2.

Certainly #2 is the choice of a cautious world wide hierarchy. Lets do something about this but keep it quiet. Let's fix the problem but limit the public relations damage and the financial out lay. I'm hoping this is true, but the Pennsylvania evidence does not support it.

Sadly I think #3 is likely the current situation. There is some indication that there are factions in the Church in which one faction wants the sunshine approach and another want to keep everything secret. And that is paralyzing the response.

I will not comment on choices #4 and #5. Both would indicate a level of moral deprivation that is unacceptable.