As pretty much everyone knows, within the past few weeks a terrible scandal has reared its head. The Universal Church is rocking with the impact of the actions committed by one of its highest ranking prelates, namely (now ex) Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the dioceses of New York and Washington.
The fact that McCarrick abused young people is terrible, but what the mainstream media doesn’t want to talk about is the fact that he abused young boys and men. That his actions were homosexual. That the crisis in the Church is not only a sexual one, but a homosexual one. See, anyone will eagerly seize upon the opportunity to bash the Church. But, when the matter involves a problem with homosexuality, no media outlet (often not even the “Catholic” ones) is brave enough to tackle the issue. The problem is that nobody wants to admit that homosexuality is causing the problems that it is.
Why?
Because everyone is afraid of sounding “politically incorrect”. Better not offend anybody, right? Oh, Father, don’t mention the scandal at the 9 am Mass. Nobody wants to hear about that. Discuss the upcoming parish festival instead (I love being politically incorrect, in case you couldn’t tell).
It’s true. I have heard scarcely anybody speak about McCarrick. Pope Francis has certainly not issued a statement. I will bring the scandal up in conversation, but people usually haven’t heard about the magnitude of his offences. In the weeks following the news, I have heard only one priest speak of it. This past Sunday at the Latin Mass, a very young priest was presiding. I knew him before he was ordained. When it was time for the homily, he stepped up to the pulpit and, gripping the sides, spoke calmly about the trouble in the Church. He did not mince his words, and yet there was a sense of peace in the way he spoke. At the end of the sermon, he reminded us that although the Church is being attacked from both within and without, we must look to the Holy Spirit, for it is He that guides our ship through stormy waters.
I was surprised and gratified to hear the scandal being spoken of from the pulpit. So, so many prelates are pointedly not addressing it in their dioceses. Of course, this is understandable. To admit that members of our own dear Church have been found guilty of the most sick and twisted crimes, sins not only against God but against man, is a lot to expect. Imagine the world’s biggest bank admitting that many of its senior members have been printing fraudulent bank notes behind the facade of stability and righteousness? That would not be good for the image of the corporation, so they simply hush it up, admonish the wrongdoers, and soon it’s back to business as usual.
However, this will not work for us. It didn't work last time, it won't work this time, and next time? There must not be a next time. The ranks of prelates must be cleansed by a flood of righteousness, and this flood must start at the very highest position in the Church of Rome.
