A direct challenge for Boston's archbishop

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Dec 29, 2003

On the feast of the Holy Family, Father Walter Cuenin told his parishioners: "We should never think that there is a single Biblical model of family life."

In his parish bulletin Father Cuenin-- one of Boston's most outspoken radical priests, who testified against a proposed state constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage-- argued that the traditional picture of the Holy Family is an unrealistic model for contemporary marriage. We should, he said, welcome the gay couples, the divorced and remarried couples, etc.

Now here's where things get interesting: No doubt Boston's Archbishop O'Malley has already heard about Father Cuenin's latest statement. (It's right there in black and white; there's no doubt about what was said.) On Wednesday of this week, the archbishop is due for a visit at Father Cuenin's parish.

What kind of a priest would go out of his way to challenge Church teachings, just a few days before a visit from his archbishop? Probably one who feels supremely confident that the archbishop either can't or won't discipline him.