A glimpse at another side of the late war hero, via Maeve Reston at CNN: He rarely showed it in his public life, but John McCain spent a lot of time thinking about this moment — when he would face his final judgment before God. As his closest friends have often noted this week, he was a man of great contradictions: a playboy fighter pilot turned hero, a romantic and cynic, and as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said, a man... Read more
Elizabeth Bruenig of The Washington Post describes her efforts to interview former Cardinal McCarrick—and says something that, I think, speaks for many of us: A little before 9:30 on Monday evening — likely a little later than is fair to an elderly man, I admit — I knocked on his door. I was dismissed by another person, via a muted conversation through a windowpane, but left a note and a business card. Hearing no word, I returned Tuesday afternoon and... Read more
Something heartening and unexpected: an editorial in support of the Catholic faithful, from a secular newspaper, The Monitor in McAllen, Texas. After surveying the painful headlines of the last few days, the editorial board writes: It’s been enough to shake the faith of many Catholics, who comprise a majority of Valley residents who identify themselves as religious. We are reminded, however, that while many people believe those who enter the priesthood are graced by God, they remain human, and fallible.... Read more
That’s how The New York Times describes Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò in a new report out tonight, detailing the story behind the story of the week — or maybe the story of the year. It offers more details about Viganò’s life and background, some of it already widely known, but other parts may be less familiar: Known for his short temper and ambition, Archbishop Viganò has clashed with superiors who stunted his ascent in the church and has played a key... Read more
The source is a German newspaper. Translation is below. Details: Archbishop Georg Gänswein, private secretary of Benedict XVI, has rejected the claim that the emeritus Pope has confirmed the allegations of former Vatican diplomat Carlo Viganò. “Pope Benedict has not commented on the ‘memorandum’ of Archbishop Viganò and will not do so,” Gänswein told the newspaper. The claim that the emeritus Pope had confirmed the statements lacked any foundation. “Fake news!,” says Gänswein. The archbishop refers to a New York Times report citing... Read more
The New York Times has reaction to the recent bombshell—and some of the backstory behind it, as well: In a remarkable break from the usual decorum among the bishops, American Catholic leaders are in open conflict over the explosive allegations from a former Vatican diplomat that Pope Francis knew about, and ignored, accusations of sexual abuse against a now-disgraced American cleric. Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, a Pope Francis appointee, said that the pope’s opponents were using the accusations by Archbishop Carlo... Read more
From The Archdiocese of Washington website: Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, has published a “testimony” in which he presents his views on Archbishop Theodore McCarrick and his appointment to Washington. Archbishop Viganò states that he “learned with certainty” that “Pope Benedict XVI had imposed on Cardinal McCarrick sanctions similar to those now imposed on him by Pope Francis.” He then says that he (Archbishop Viganò) “repeated them to Cardinal McCarrick” at the Archbishop’s first... Read more
This is something exceptional, from my longtime Facebook friend Bishop Robert Reed in Boston, a bulletin announcement from him that’s been picked up by The Anchoress: A couple years ago, on a Monday morning, I was informed that I had been named a bishop. When I accepted, I was conscious of the fact that, I also would have to accept whatever the future held with a complete openness to God’s will; much like in a marriage, or when I was ordained... Read more
John Allen puts the weekend’s big news into welcome perspective: Over and over again on Sunday, I was pressed by colleagues and ordinary folk alike for an answer to one burning question: “How seriously should we take this?” Here’s my bottom line response: Take it seriously, but with a large grain of salt. One certainly can’t dismiss the charge out of hand, if for no other reason than never before has a former papal ambassador accused a sitting pope of... Read more
From Catholic News Service: Pope Francis said Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano’s long document calling on him to resign is written in a way that people should be able to draw their own conclusions. “I read the statement this morning and, sincerely, I must say this to you and anyone interested: Read that statement attentively and make your own judgment,” he told reporters Aug. 26. “I think the statement speaks for itself, and you have a sufficient journalistic ability to make... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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