There Will Be Guidance

Did you know Cardinal Law was in Rome while you were there? I did not.

Did you request this week’s meeting? I did not request the meeting. The meeting was the decision of the Holy See. I discussed the situation–the crisis situation in the Catholic Church–with a number of people including the Holy Father himself.

It has been said this was the first time the pope got a sense of the scope of the problem in this country. Do you feel that was true? Well, I hope that my conversation with him gave him a fuller appreciation. I believe he was aware, but obviously it was my responsibility to make sure that I gave him a more complete scenario, and if I did, which I believe I did, then I’m pleased to have had that opportunity.

Earlier you said the issue had been handed back to the American leadership to think about and to try to solve. I think it still is.

Haven’t things changed now that the pope has called the cardinals together? It’s a preparatory meeting. The media may have hyped this as though next week the problem will be solved… The cardinals’ meeting and my attendance this week [is intended to foster] dialogue with members of the Curia [so that] when we meet in June we are better prepared to propose a course of action that we are fairly certain will enjoy the full endorsement of the various offices of the Holy See. It’s background work.

Will there be any proposals of any sort coming out from the meeting? I don’t believe that any particular proposals will be coming forth because that’s the responsibility of the bishops of the United States. There will be guidance. There will be dialogue.

Will homosexuality and homosexual priests be discussed there this week? [Gregory’s voice rose and he slapped the table.] I would not be surprised. However, I think that the focus should be on, and this is what I’ve continually said: The focus must be on the safety of children! That’s A-number one! It doesn’t mean these other issues are not important. They are. But they are issues that will need a lot longer discussion and will take a longer time to bring clarity. What we must be focused on is making sure that children are protected!

You have said that until parents know their children are safe the crisis will not be over. That is correct.

That seems to be the very minimum of what you would require in the priesthood in America. It’s a sine qua non, to use a Latin phrase.

How difficult a task will it be now to get to that point? I think it depends on the diocese. There are many dioceses that have already put into place and have followed most exactly procedures for addressing these issues. Unfortunately, the mistakes, the errors, the misjudgments of a few have given the impression that nobody is doing it right. That simply is not the case. In those cases where bishops have been in communications with their people, have been transparent and upfront, have established a review board, have means of reporting, have involved their people in this conversation, the level of trust is still pretty high. I think we need to strengthen it. I don’t think any bishop is ready to say that nothing more need be done. But I don’t believe that every bishop is beginning from ground zero.

Some prosecutors have begun grand jury investigations to look at the problems in the church. Is this a problem? I’m not opposed to that. Because I think in the long run the civil law will say that the overwhelming majority of these cases were properly handled. Some egregious errors were made. That’s not news. I’m not the first to say it.

Can you comment on the RICO suits charging criminal conspiracy within certain dioceses? I served as a bishop in two dioceses… I can say unequivocally in reference to those two dioceses that there was absolutely no intent, desire or even plan to conceal things from the proper civil authorities.

There are some concerns in some dioceses that this is going to carry some serious financial consequences. Catholic people are extraordinarily generous. They’re extraordinarily frustrated and angry right now. And I think that if the bishops seize this moment, and if we work together effectively in union with Rome, I think we will go a long way in restoring the confidence of our people. And I don’t think that the financial repercussions will either be that deep or that long-lasting.

title: " There Will Be Guidance " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-11” author: “Amy Blackburn”

Did you request this week’s meeting? I did not request the meeting. The meeting was the decision of the Holy See. I discussed the situation with a number of people including the Holy Father himself.

Earlier you said the issue had been handed back to the American leadership to think about and to try to solve. I think it still is.

I don’t believe that any particular proposals will be coming forth because that’s the responsibility of the bishops of the United States. There will be guidance. There will be dialogue.

You have said that until parents know their children are safe the crisis will not be over. That is correct.

That seems to be the very minimum of what you would require in the priesthood in America. It’s a sine qua non, to use a Latin phrase.

How difficult a task will it be now to get to that point? I think it depends on the diocese. There are many dioceses that have already put into place and have followed most exactly procedures for addressing these issues. Unfortunately, the mistakes, the errors, the misjudgments of a few have given the impression that nobody is doing it right. In those cases where bishops have been in communications with their people, have been transparent and upfront, have established a review board, have means of reporting, have involved their people in this conversation, the level of trust is still pretty high. I don’t think any bishop is ready to say that nothing more need be done. But I don’t believe that every bishop is beginning from ground zero.

Can you comment on the suits charging criminal conspiracy within certain dioceses? I served as a bishop in two dioceses… I can say unequivocally in reference to those two dioceses that there was absolutely no intent, desire or even plan to conceal things from the proper civil authorities.