The AP is reporting that the Vatican has launched a counter-offensive against what it sees as wrongful accusations alleging that Pope Benedict XVI was in some way complicit in cases of sex abuse by priests in Ireland, the United States and elsewhere.Through Vatican Radio and surrogates, high-ranking members of the College of Cardinals, the Pontiff has decided to fight fire with fire, countering what he sees as an orchestrated media campaign with one of his own, linking the calls of cover up with the Catholic stance against abortion and same-sex marriage.
No smoking gun has been uncovered thus far and none is likely to be forthcoming. The more probable truth is that the Vatican is a bureaucracy, thick with layers of risk-averse desk-jockey priests. It takes time to process anything, let alone controversial matters like sex abuse.
Viewed in a positive light, one might surmise that the Catholic Church wanted to take its time and get this complicated issue right. This isn't something anyone wants to work through a second time.
Be that as it may, the Holy See is making a big mistake coming out against this barrage of attacks with guns a-blazin'. And it's further missed the mark by linking the scandal with other controversial issues.
Every disgraced celebrity knows exactly how to deal with much-deserved criticism, such as that facing the Catholic Church today. You go on the Tonight Show, Letterman and Oprah and say, "We made a mistake and here's what we're doing to fix the problem. Of course, we could always do more." People forgive and forget and soon these disgraced celebs are making movies again.
Why this approach should be so well-known to Hollywood publicists and so unknown to their counterparts in the Vatican is the real scandal here (alongside the sex abuse), given that it's so well-grounded in the Christian faith itself! It's a little thing Jesus liked to call "turning the other cheek." Come on, guys, this is Christianity 101.
It means you don't fight fire with fire. You counter attack with non-reaction. And if, in fact, this is all a smear campaign put together by the foes of the Light, you don't complain about that, you welcome it. It's a little thing the early Christians used to call "persecution." And if it's happening, it means you're doing something right.
As a side benefit, persecution with cure what ails a church, rooting out all manner of evil, including sex-abusing priests and publicists who don't know the traditions of the church. Because it's just no fun anymore when you might have to die for what you believe.
Photo credit: Topnews.in
Good points...Defensiveness and counter-attack, an eye for an eye, do nothing but lead to blindness. On the other hand, as you point out, when the contrite celebrity issues a "mia culpa!", we instantly feel inclined to give him some slack and let by-gones be by-gones. The great Christian revelation is that loving your enemies is more powerful than hating them. Thanks for this article Todd.
ReplyDelete