Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. –Amos 5:13
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception bookstore has canceled a book-signing and banned a book from its store. “The Faithful Departed: The Collapse of Boston’s Catholic Culture,” a book by Philip E. Lawler, editor of Catholic World News and a former editor of the Boston archdiocesan newspaper, the Pilot has been pulled from the shelves. Apparently, in Rossi’s opinion, the book wasn’t adhering to the advice of the Pope to “move on.”
According to their website, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America, and is one of the ten largest churches in the world. It is the nation’s pre-eminent Marian Shrine, dedicated to the patroness of the United States—the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception. it’s bookstore just got a little smaller. Msgr. Walter R. Rossi leafed through Lawler’s book and decided the book was contributing “to greater breaking down of the church.” You see, if people would just forget about the abuse and the cover-ups, then the church could get back to business as usual.
This is by no means the first time that Rossi has tried to cover up for the practices of the church. I understand that churches have differing views on morality. I understand why they might not approve of homosexuality–and as a religion, that is their right. It is not their right to deny Freedom of the Press, which is exactly what Rossi tried to do in 2002. When homosexuals protesting the church were refused communion, a journalist for the National Catholic Reporter witnessed two police officers and two uniformed shrine security guards escort a man out of the basilica, she tried to follow. Walter Rossi, the shrine’s pilgrimage director at the time, stood in her way, blocking her with his outstretched arms. “No, this is not going to be part of your article,” he said. It’s fine if you don’t agree, that is why we have freedom of religion. But why try to hide your actions? To protect the church from embarrassment, of course. Worldly people wouldn’t understand. This church is the channel for the Pope, after all. The pope is big business.
This attitude is what makes churches so vulnerable to pedophiles. It is pretending the problem has gone away. A more constructive approach is admitting that this is an ongoing problem and staying vigilant and addressing the issue. A perfect example of this is the Mary Immaculate Church of Farmers Branch, TX. They installed security cameras that helped catch a pedophile. Instead of silence, parishioners were warned of the dangers posed by pedophiles. Not all crimes can be prevented, but ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. Addressing the issue doesn’t weaken a congregation –it can make it stronger. Silence about these types of situations is just plain evil.
Sources & Links:
Protesters at bishops’ meeting refused Communion, arrested
Police say sex offender assaulted 2 girls at same Farmers Branch church 8 years apart
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