In Aoril of 1977, Cardinal Bernardin was 4-and-a-half years the Archbisop of Cincinnati and McCarrick was still a month short of being named an Auxiliary Bishop of New York. What was their connection?
First, to answer your connection directly: I'm not aware of any direct connection, though McCarrick was already a high-profile figure at that time (he had been considered for an auxiliary bishop position as early as 1971, and as secretary to Cardinal Cooke, he did lots of international travel and met figures including President Nixon, President Ford, and Cardinal Wojtyla), so it's not implausible he would have gotten to know Bernardin. Not that that would prove anything.
Second, to expand a bit about why I made this comment in the first place: It has always struck me that Grein's Bernardin allegation creates quite a dilemma, and I'm surprised I haven't seen it reported on or even addressed in any reasonably mainstream source (I have not even seen it acknowledged outside of venues like Church Militant). The way I see it is this: If the allegation is correct, that is a huge deal. If the allegation is false, then it casts into doubt the credibility of one of the main witnesses and sources in the McCarrick Affair—certainly a major source in the public reporting of publications such as the New York Times, and possibly a witness in the secret judicial process that led to McCarrick's laicization (though he's not referenced in the McCarrick Report).
We ought to pray and do penance for victims and for people who have been scandalized, but we ought also to pray and do penance for the repentance and salvation of Mr. McCarrick, since it would be wrong for us (in this life) to desire anyone to go to hell or to rejoice at the thought of a soul suffering eternal torment.
When we read in the news of men who have received the sacrament of holy orders and who have gravely sinned against chastity or obedience or both: I was reading recently a battered and old-smelling book that encouraged the laity with the thought that by leading a chaste life according to our own state in life, and living a life of obedience (motivated by love of God) according to whatever God's providence has given us to be obedient to, we can make reparation. One's first concern should be the salvation of one's own soul but also it benefits the entire mystical body, or as the saying goes "a rising tide lifts all boats" (we are all afloat on this tide while we have breath in us.)
Monster.
In other statements, Grein has also claimed that Cardinal Bernardin assaulted him as part of this incident or a very similar one.
In Aoril of 1977, Cardinal Bernardin was 4-and-a-half years the Archbisop of Cincinnati and McCarrick was still a month short of being named an Auxiliary Bishop of New York. What was their connection?
First, to answer your connection directly: I'm not aware of any direct connection, though McCarrick was already a high-profile figure at that time (he had been considered for an auxiliary bishop position as early as 1971, and as secretary to Cardinal Cooke, he did lots of international travel and met figures including President Nixon, President Ford, and Cardinal Wojtyla), so it's not implausible he would have gotten to know Bernardin. Not that that would prove anything.
Second, to expand a bit about why I made this comment in the first place: It has always struck me that Grein's Bernardin allegation creates quite a dilemma, and I'm surprised I haven't seen it reported on or even addressed in any reasonably mainstream source (I have not even seen it acknowledged outside of venues like Church Militant). The way I see it is this: If the allegation is correct, that is a huge deal. If the allegation is false, then it casts into doubt the credibility of one of the main witnesses and sources in the McCarrick Affair—certainly a major source in the public reporting of publications such as the New York Times, and possibly a witness in the secret judicial process that led to McCarrick's laicization (though he's not referenced in the McCarrick Report).
Just saw that JD mentioned this in his newsletter, so I'll have to retract my remark about nobody even acknowledging the claim!
We ought to pray and do penance for victims and for people who have been scandalized, but we ought also to pray and do penance for the repentance and salvation of Mr. McCarrick, since it would be wrong for us (in this life) to desire anyone to go to hell or to rejoice at the thought of a soul suffering eternal torment.
When we read in the news of men who have received the sacrament of holy orders and who have gravely sinned against chastity or obedience or both: I was reading recently a battered and old-smelling book that encouraged the laity with the thought that by leading a chaste life according to our own state in life, and living a life of obedience (motivated by love of God) according to whatever God's providence has given us to be obedient to, we can make reparation. One's first concern should be the salvation of one's own soul but also it benefits the entire mystical body, or as the saying goes "a rising tide lifts all boats" (we are all afloat on this tide while we have breath in us.)
I published this thought piece, "Lord Have Mercy." I submit it as my comment now: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lord-have-mercy-john-seng/