Off the Record

over and over again By Diogenes | September 25, 2008 9:26 AM

 Explaining why he ordered the cancellation of a book-signing by Phil Lawler at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Msgr. Walter Rossi, the rector the basilica, told the Washington Times that Phil's book, The Faithful Departed, covered a subject on which the Roman Pontiff wants no further discussion. During his April visit to the US, the rector said, the Pope said as much.

"Benedict over and over again said it's time to move on," the monsignor said of the sex-abuse scandal.

Really? 

If the Pope said this "over and over again," it's funny that the message does not appear in the transcripts of his public remarks. It's funny that nobody else heard him say it. Maybe Msgr. Rossi had a front-row seat, and could hear things that the Pope whispered.

Yes, Pope Benedict said that it is time for healing and reconciliation. But he also said that he was "deeply ashamed" by the scandal, and that it had been "sometimes very badly handled." 

If the sex-abuse crisis was shameful, and if it was badly handled-- and who would deny either fact?-- then true reconciliation would entail a careful examination of that inept handling, and a determination to root out the problem. Then maybe it would be appropriate to "move on." 

But in fairness to Msgr. Rossi, he wasn't speaking entirely for himself. The rector reported that he had received "several complaining calls" about Phil's scheduled appearance at the shrine bookstore. He doesn't really have to tell us who made those calls; we already know. The US hierarchy, which "sometimes very badly handled" the sex-abuse scandal, is uncomfortable with any further discussion of the issue. The American bishops think "it's time to move on." That's become something like a mantra, chanted over and over again until sometimes people hear it even when it hasn't been said.

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Sound Off! Comments

• Posted by: parochus - Sep. 26, 2008 3:22 AM ET USA

  Now that the Bishops have "handled" the situation with draconian revisions of canon law in order to administratively remove all of the abusers, we will never ever ever ever see another situation in which a priest commits a sexual sin. And they all lived happily ever after.

• Posted by: voxfem - Sep. 25, 2008 8:21 PM ET USA

  khall - Priceless! More seriously, if he receives several complaining calls about pulling the book, will he put it back? Does this mean that if the Pope says, "The Church has no authority to ordain women" over and over, the discussion will end? Oh, wait, he did. Nevermind.

• Posted by: GUY F. - Sep. 25, 2008 7:32 PM ET USA

  We just made one of our regular pilgrim visits to the Shrine. I am sad that it has lost its way. May God bring it back to the faith. IN THE MEANTIME As another commented: Too bad! And they have such soaring beauty and beautiful calendars! - We will have to send their portion of our donation pie to some place else. Ave Maria, maybe? PEACE & GOOD, Guy F.

• Posted by: Teresa646 - Sep. 25, 2008 6:48 PM ET USA

  After the publishing of Mr. Lawlers' well-done book, I was very happy to see it in the Shrine Bookstore. It gave me hope that the transparency so sorely lacking from the handling of the sexual abuse cases was behind us. NOT SO FAST. It seems I made an incorrect assumption. Shame on you Msgr. Rossi, this was a perfect opportunity for you to tell the PR people (even those in a collar) to take a hike. "If you deny Me before men, I will deny you before my Father." Please, put the book back Sir.

• Posted by: khall356157 - Sep. 25, 2008 6:33 PM ET USA

  "These aren't the droids you're looking for."

• Posted by: gcroft - Sep. 25, 2008 5:46 PM ET USA

  If the scandal is over, then this is a question of church history. Put the book in the church history section.

• Posted by: ladybird - Sep. 25, 2008 5:20 PM ET USA

  Too bad! And they have such beautiful calendars! Guess I'll have to send their portion of my donation pie to some place else.

• Posted by: Gil125 - Sep. 25, 2008 2:28 PM ET USA

  Well said, as usual, Di. Might one say this is a case where the bishops want their sweeping under the rug swept under the rug?

• Posted by: Adeodatus109 - Sep. 25, 2008 11:46 AM ET USA

  What about those not learning from history are doomed to repeat it?

• Posted by: NonSumDignus - Sep. 25, 2008 10:57 AM ET USA

  Perhaps the Newman Bookstore would be a better alternative?