No denial

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Apr 18, 2003

Look carefully at the latest public statement from Bishop Carlson. Notice what the bishop does not say. He does not deny the substance of the Weekly Standard report that he has told Sen. Daschle not to identify himself as a Catholic.

So we can still hope-- and pray-- that the report was true.

And while we're hoping and praying, we can also wonder a bit: about why a bishop would feel obliged to distance himself, even slightly, from a report that he had done his duty. Daschle's support for abortion is a very public matter (read: scandal). A disciplinary response from the bishop could merit a public airing, too.