Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sisters Dare to Oppose Catholic Bishops: What Next?
Here is a short piece in Chicago Catholic News about the mutiny that occurred when the Catholic Health Assn. took issue with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the health reform bill in the Senate. Speaking for the conference, Cardinal George said the bill must be defeated, since it would permit public money for abortions. The association said that he and the bishops were wrong, that the bill would not expand abortions. And when the health bill passed, George indicated the association, its leader, and its substantial membership of Catholic nuns were responsible. He was quite offended and said so. I think the dispute says something important about the credibility of the hierarchy in these interesting times, as well as the gutsiness of the sisters. You will find the story right here.
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In the past few decades, the church has rapidly squandered a great deal of the authority it accumulated over many centuries. I agree with your article that the Cardinal's shrill response may a sign of 1) fear that is gradually dawning on the hierarchy that their authority has been damaged and 2) their poor ability (so far) to adapt to this emerging new reality.
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