Words Like Locusts Flew From Her Fingers

Why Is The Vatican Protecting Cardinal Law?

Pope: ‘Ashamed’ of Clergy Abuse Scandal – washingtonpost.com
“It is a great suffering for the church in the United States and for the Church in general and for me personally that this could happen,” Benedict said. “It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission … to these children.

“I am deeply ashamed and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future,” the pope said.

In recent days I’ve read several criticisms of the Pope along the line of, “Why is the Vatican protecting Cardinal Law?” I wonder what, exactly, they think the Pope ought to be doing? Should Law be marched out into St. Peter’s Square for a public stoning? If there were criminal charges pending against Law in the United States, then –yes, these people might have a point. But there are no criminal charges. Cardinal Law behaved immorally when he covered up sex abuse by priests. There’s little question, though, that he’s an able administrator. The Vatican is making use of Laws abilities in that regard and, as for how he’s atoning for his role in the child sex abuse scandal, that’s really between him and his confessor.