solidarity

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Mar 27, 2004

This week the 20 members of the Los Angeles Council of Priests (elected by their fellow clergy) unanimously voted support for Cardinal Roger Mahony:

"Cardinal Mahony has shown a consistent desire to protect children, while at the same time has been solicitous that no priest's reputation be ruined by irresponsible or utterly unsubstantiated allegations."

"Utterly" unsubstantiated? Odd word to use in a generic context. I'm surprised they didn't add, "...and besides, he was practically a grown man for God's sake!" But hey, we're about healing and reconciliation here, so I'm going to pass over in decorous silence the troubling parallels with another affirmation of clergy support for another archbishop, last year's statement by the priests of Louisville on behalf of Thomas C. Kelly:

While saying they respect the efforts of others in the abuse crisis, the statement said the priests believe "we will all be best served by the stability of continued episcopal leadership of Archbishop Kelly and his proven public commitment to seek justice and to right past wrongs."

Bingo.