The Implications of the “2%” …

… So the pope gave another interview. In this most recent one he implicated that 2% (or one in fifty) of Catholic clergy are pedophiles.

This 2% comes from the John Jay report, a report that is ten years old and has been readily accessible for public viewing in all that time. So why now bring it up in an interview? Especially to bring up such a sensitive and important topic with Scalfari?

“One might start with the odd habits of Eugenio Scalfari, the veteran Italian journalist who has now had three such sessions with the Holy Father. It is Scalfari’s habit, when he conducts an interview, to make no recording and take no notes. Scalfari then reconstructs the conversation from memory. [source]”

Would you allow yourself to be interviewed by such an individual known for “reconstructing conversation from memory?” Would you trust this type of “journalist” to give a fair and true representation of your thoughts? And would you continue to allow yourself to be misconstrued not once, not twice, but three times?

It boggles the mind and defies defending.

Phil Lawler, Director and Editor of Catholic World News (CWN), sanely and rationally writes,

Of course the Pope can speak to whomever he pleases, whenever he pleases; he does not need permission from Vatican handlers. But when he speaks to journalists he should have assistance from competent staff members who can brief him about any potential difficulties before the conversation begins, and ensure that the Pope and the reporter both have a clear understanding of any ground rules for the interview.

Pope Francis has endeared himself to millions of people by his willingness to speak off the cuff, to make unexpected phone calls, to enter into ordinary conversations with ordinary people. He has touched many hearts during informal exchanges, in which he speaks plainly as a pastor. Yet as Roman Pontiff he also speaks for the universal Church, and he cannot ignore the public consequences of his casual remarks. A conversation with an influential journalist cannot be treated the same way as a phone call to a bereaved mother.

Pope Francis has also brought a new sense of excitement and openness to the Vatican by abandoning many of the trappings of an 18th-century monarchy. Clearly, he wants to mingle with the people, not to be placed on a pedestal. He wants to rule the Church in a collegial manner, not as an autocrat. Excellent! So his brother bishops and his Vatican aides should remind him that he cannot always indulge his impulses.