You have almost every kind of major public scandal that the Church has commonly experienced covered here in one story. Financial crimes, sexual sins by clergy, whistleblower retaliation, probable heretical beliefs by a bishop, and an attempted cover-up at the highest levels of the Church. At least hopefully there was no sexual abuse (that we know of).
This could be another test for Pope Leo too, given that a Cardinal is attempting to protect someone who is likely to be found guilty of some serious civil crimes and violations of Church law. Will Cardinal Sako be allowed to get away with this? Whether he succeeds or not in his crusade he has already shown his character. This kind of clericalism has long been allowed to thrive in the Church, especially in recent years. As a Cardinal, only the Pope can deal with him and set things right. This is a golden opportunity to set an example and show that things are different, that the Church is serious about cleaning up its act. A chance to make at least some good out of a bad situation. I hope he doesn't pass it up.
I mean are we not considering participating in the trafficking of women in sexual slavery as abuse? Bc thats just a fancy word of industrialized rape.
I think you pry mean of kid which yes. A small mercy. Unless those sold into sexual slavery are teen girls and how many lattes should we bet on that being in the case 😣😣😣
Not to mention the side family and kids he seems to have. Lord have mercy 😣😣
ETA: your comments about his eminence really struck me bc my indignancy over his actions is almost worse. Abuse of power and vow ignoring sinful clerics are about as old as the Church herself , but after the last 25 years has shown, the Cardinal is STILL thinking a double down is the right move?!?
You are right, I was thinking more along the lines of abuse of minors or vulnerable adults (e.g., Rupnik) when I wrote that. But soliciting prostitution is participating in abuse too in its own way, especially since it is highly likely that at least some, if not all of the women he saw were victims of human trafficking.
Fully agree on your take on the Cardinal's actions. To me at least, his attempt to cover up or wave away this scandal at least rises to the same level of severity as the bishop's actions. In my opinion, for what it's worth, any penalties, punishments, or sanctions applied to the bishop should be applied to anyone involved in a cover-up for something like this, including the Cardinal.
Thanks Pillar for covering an awful story about failures of an individual and his hierarchy. Was especially dismayed by this quote, among many:
"Sources close to the cardinal told The Pillar that Sako had a long-standing friendship with Shaleta, personally selected him for the San Diego post, and has relied on contributions from Shaleta’s eparchy to support the patriarchate’s ministry in Iraq."
So money made a difference. Your reporting style may seem to some as pedantic, but it is necessary when documenting transgressions of High Church Officials. In reporting these issues, you have no margin for inaccurate reporting. Due to your record, I believe what you have reported here, and am appreciative of your efforts. It must be tough to research and present such negative stories about our Church, every keystroke must be laborious. It is important, please keep up your great work.
"It must be tough to research and present such negative stories about our Church ..."
I felt that same kind of heaviness I believe you're referring to when reading this. I love Christ and His Church, and reading this didn't arouse any kind of righteous indignation or anything of that sort. it just made me really, really sad.
I would look into another parish in the Eparchy with some financial improprieties and misconduct from the Priest.
Holy Family Chaldean Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Conveniently the Church President resigned on Sunday, the same day the news about Mar Emmanuel Shaleta broke. There was (is?) is similar arrangement with the Church Hall going on... not to mention many other issues.
Making the case for trusteeism even stronger.
This was tough to read. Sako's accidental email made it slightly less tough.
This is great journalism by the Pillar.
You have almost every kind of major public scandal that the Church has commonly experienced covered here in one story. Financial crimes, sexual sins by clergy, whistleblower retaliation, probable heretical beliefs by a bishop, and an attempted cover-up at the highest levels of the Church. At least hopefully there was no sexual abuse (that we know of).
This could be another test for Pope Leo too, given that a Cardinal is attempting to protect someone who is likely to be found guilty of some serious civil crimes and violations of Church law. Will Cardinal Sako be allowed to get away with this? Whether he succeeds or not in his crusade he has already shown his character. This kind of clericalism has long been allowed to thrive in the Church, especially in recent years. As a Cardinal, only the Pope can deal with him and set things right. This is a golden opportunity to set an example and show that things are different, that the Church is serious about cleaning up its act. A chance to make at least some good out of a bad situation. I hope he doesn't pass it up.
I mean are we not considering participating in the trafficking of women in sexual slavery as abuse? Bc thats just a fancy word of industrialized rape.
I think you pry mean of kid which yes. A small mercy. Unless those sold into sexual slavery are teen girls and how many lattes should we bet on that being in the case 😣😣😣
Not to mention the side family and kids he seems to have. Lord have mercy 😣😣
ETA: your comments about his eminence really struck me bc my indignancy over his actions is almost worse. Abuse of power and vow ignoring sinful clerics are about as old as the Church herself , but after the last 25 years has shown, the Cardinal is STILL thinking a double down is the right move?!?
Take a solid church history course and you’ll see that he still has more to go: papal concubines and papal bastard children ✅
You are right, I was thinking more along the lines of abuse of minors or vulnerable adults (e.g., Rupnik) when I wrote that. But soliciting prostitution is participating in abuse too in its own way, especially since it is highly likely that at least some, if not all of the women he saw were victims of human trafficking.
Fully agree on your take on the Cardinal's actions. To me at least, his attempt to cover up or wave away this scandal at least rises to the same level of severity as the bishop's actions. In my opinion, for what it's worth, any penalties, punishments, or sanctions applied to the bishop should be applied to anyone involved in a cover-up for something like this, including the Cardinal.
This is why The Pillar exists.
exactly.
Grateful.
Jesus, purify your Church and sustain her pastors. Keep them faithful.
This really hurts to read. One of my spiritual fathers from seminary is a Chaldean priest of this eparchy. Prayers ongoing.
"Rather than successfully forward the email, Sako replied to the Pillar." The second-hand embarrassment is killing me.
When your deal with the devil didn’t have a “make sure you hit the forward button” clause 😑😑😑😑😑
One-way tickets from LAX to Ketchikan are only $500...
One can always fool another person. One can never fool the Holy Spirit.
Once again, 17th century financial controls at the parish level. Google “segregation of duties” or loosen those crowns.
The only sentence fragment you need to read that explains *EVERYTHING* :
“has relied on contributions from Shaleta’s eparchy to support the patriarchate’s ministry in Iraq.”
“American attitudes of “puritanism” regarding financial administration.”
Now that one made me spit some coffee out my nostrils.
Yeah that one is a remarkably stupid thing to think.
Thanks Pillar for covering an awful story about failures of an individual and his hierarchy. Was especially dismayed by this quote, among many:
"Sources close to the cardinal told The Pillar that Sako had a long-standing friendship with Shaleta, personally selected him for the San Diego post, and has relied on contributions from Shaleta’s eparchy to support the patriarchate’s ministry in Iraq."
So money made a difference. Your reporting style may seem to some as pedantic, but it is necessary when documenting transgressions of High Church Officials. In reporting these issues, you have no margin for inaccurate reporting. Due to your record, I believe what you have reported here, and am appreciative of your efforts. It must be tough to research and present such negative stories about our Church, every keystroke must be laborious. It is important, please keep up your great work.
"It must be tough to research and present such negative stories about our Church ..."
I felt that same kind of heaviness I believe you're referring to when reading this. I love Christ and His Church, and reading this didn't arouse any kind of righteous indignation or anything of that sort. it just made me really, really sad.
I would look into another parish in the Eparchy with some financial improprieties and misconduct from the Priest.
Holy Family Chaldean Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Conveniently the Church President resigned on Sunday, the same day the news about Mar Emmanuel Shaleta broke. There was (is?) is similar arrangement with the Church Hall going on... not to mention many other issues.
Come, Holy Ghost, with Your holy cleansing fire! Burn the rot & corruption out of Your holy Church! No matter how painful, purify the Bride of Christ!