"convent being better stocked than the concession stand at a Phish concert notwithstanding"
I made the mistake of taking a drink of water when I read that. There was a prolonged coughing fit as a result. This is the kind of writing that I subscribed to The Pillar for.
That presumes the drugs actually were from the convent. I presume they have the relevant fingerprints on them. If not, it's a very interesting situation.
"But if the Vatican isn't going to explain what makes this case, dismissing a wheelchair-bound nun walled off in a Texas cloister, so compelling, the faithful have every right to question the relative lethargy and indifference shown in response to priests like Fr. Marko Rupnik, S.J., who has been not just accused but convicted of some of the Church’s most serious crimes, without being dismissed from his religious institute."
Help me out here J. D. You say: “ And I remain convinced [ that Bishop Olson felt he had a real moral imperative to act , and act fast here ]is as likely to be proven true as any other outcome “.
Do you think the alleged sexual conduct or someone having marijuana within the convent are sufficient to create the “ moral imperative” to act in the manner he has acted? If yes, say so. If not, then you are suggesting that there are other unannounced reasons for his actions and the allegations are a “smoke screen” for his actions. If that is what you are suggesting, say so. And then opine on the morality of doing what he has done to the Sisters for false and scurrilous reasons .
Hey Dennis. I’m not Ed. But your comment is exactly why Ed added that caveat to the newsletter. Because you don’t try the case without having all the evidence, your three listed outcomes plus any other could all very well be true and we don’t have the information to make a decision or “opine” on the morality of what May or May not have happened.
Has the Bishop handled this in a way that makes me think he is In The right? No. But he might be. Weirder things have happened.
These comments reflect a Church in which the members have chosen up sides on a secular issue about which facts are sparse. To be a Catholic a few decades ago was to be a member of a faith based on the Gospels, the Sacraments and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Reading this column, it would not be a stretch to conclude the Church has been reduced to an institution
of salaciousness and fiscal shenanigans headed by a Pontiff who consistently gives mixed messages on matters of morality and faith.
Different fiscal shenanigans have been going on for the entire history of the Roman curia, they just haven't been prosecuted until now. Thanks, Pope Francis. And Francis has been remarkably clear in his views on faith and morals. As for the Gospel, it's clear that it animates his entire ministry.
"And the lesson here is, whether you’re working in a luxury watch company or for a Vatican financial department: don’t mess with journalist watch nerds. We live for this stuff."
I say this every time something about these nuns has come up in the last 2 weeks: do they have anyone experienced in communications or PR over there in Ft. Worth? I agree, there is likely a possibility that Olson is very much justified in his actions... but how would we know? The whole communications strategy on this seems odd, disjointed and in effective.
And why release the weed picture? We’ve been told from the beginning that this was all about sins against the 6th commandment. That didn’t stick? Now it’s a laughable amount of pot? If Olson had started this whole thing out with saying these nuns are a bunch of stoners and that’s why we are investigating them... well I think he’d have a more sympathetic audience.
But nothing about this story makes sense and it’s captivating.
I have lived in two diocese in Texas. One bishop assigned a priest to start a new parish; this pastor embellezed money. Came to find out that he had done this at another parish; thought he was reformed and sent him to the new parish. I just wonder how much truth there is to this.
"convent being better stocked than the concession stand at a Phish concert notwithstanding"
I made the mistake of taking a drink of water when I read that. There was a prolonged coughing fit as a result. This is the kind of writing that I subscribed to The Pillar for.
"Framed like that, I’m afraid there is simply no room for the Church’s hierarchy to ask for the benefit of the doubt here." My take exactly!
That presumes the drugs actually were from the convent. I presume they have the relevant fingerprints on them. If not, it's a very interesting situation.
"But if the Vatican isn't going to explain what makes this case, dismissing a wheelchair-bound nun walled off in a Texas cloister, so compelling, the faithful have every right to question the relative lethargy and indifference shown in response to priests like Fr. Marko Rupnik, S.J., who has been not just accused but convicted of some of the Church’s most serious crimes, without being dismissed from his religious institute."
This.
I wrote a comment on Ukraine that I meant to send to substack and accidentally didn't. Could you please do it for me? Thank you
Help me out here J. D. You say: “ And I remain convinced [ that Bishop Olson felt he had a real moral imperative to act , and act fast here ]is as likely to be proven true as any other outcome “.
Do you think the alleged sexual conduct or someone having marijuana within the convent are sufficient to create the “ moral imperative” to act in the manner he has acted? If yes, say so. If not, then you are suggesting that there are other unannounced reasons for his actions and the allegations are a “smoke screen” for his actions. If that is what you are suggesting, say so. And then opine on the morality of doing what he has done to the Sisters for false and scurrilous reasons .
Psst: Ed writes the Friday newsletter. I'll let him answer his questions.
Hey Dennis. I’m not Ed. But your comment is exactly why Ed added that caveat to the newsletter. Because you don’t try the case without having all the evidence, your three listed outcomes plus any other could all very well be true and we don’t have the information to make a decision or “opine” on the morality of what May or May not have happened.
Has the Bishop handled this in a way that makes me think he is In The right? No. But he might be. Weirder things have happened.
These comments reflect a Church in which the members have chosen up sides on a secular issue about which facts are sparse. To be a Catholic a few decades ago was to be a member of a faith based on the Gospels, the Sacraments and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Reading this column, it would not be a stretch to conclude the Church has been reduced to an institution
of salaciousness and fiscal shenanigans headed by a Pontiff who consistently gives mixed messages on matters of morality and faith.
Different fiscal shenanigans have been going on for the entire history of the Roman curia, they just haven't been prosecuted until now. Thanks, Pope Francis. And Francis has been remarkably clear in his views on faith and morals. As for the Gospel, it's clear that it animates his entire ministry.
"And the lesson here is, whether you’re working in a luxury watch company or for a Vatican financial department: don’t mess with journalist watch nerds. We live for this stuff."
ROTF... and I actually read to the end...
Now I have “Farmhouse” by Phish stuck in my head.
I say this every time something about these nuns has come up in the last 2 weeks: do they have anyone experienced in communications or PR over there in Ft. Worth? I agree, there is likely a possibility that Olson is very much justified in his actions... but how would we know? The whole communications strategy on this seems odd, disjointed and in effective.
And why release the weed picture? We’ve been told from the beginning that this was all about sins against the 6th commandment. That didn’t stick? Now it’s a laughable amount of pot? If Olson had started this whole thing out with saying these nuns are a bunch of stoners and that’s why we are investigating them... well I think he’d have a more sympathetic audience.
But nothing about this story makes sense and it’s captivating.
I have lived in two diocese in Texas. One bishop assigned a priest to start a new parish; this pastor embellezed money. Came to find out that he had done this at another parish; thought he was reformed and sent him to the new parish. I just wonder how much truth there is to this.
Clear on morality? On a number of issues, at best, he’s been ambiguous. Let’s not muddy the waters.
Loved the Watch story! I’m obviously not subscribing to the right newspapers! You guys can write about ANYTHING!!! Well done!
Great Job as always Ed! Please tell me next weeks post will have a reference to the satellite the Vatican launched today! "Spei Satelles"