Francis
Anybody hanging around a firehouse for a bit has come across the unhappy crew intent on driving their leader crazy.
Perhaps it is the unfortunate officer’s first posting or possibly a mutiny in the making by the salty dogs.
At any rate, the symptoms and behavior are easily spotted: the crew’s surly demeanor coupled with a play dumb approach to operations.
No scenario, no matter how simple, is decipherable without a litany of questions, often of the most inane sort.
Progress will be nil as hitherto automatic actions grind to a halt in favor of a wait for very specific orders.
“But, we weren’t sure what you wanted” or “What if we did the wrong thing” are the common defense.
When the Bishops Drag Their Feet
US Bishops met in Baltimore, Maryland, last week to talk about this and that.
While I am neither Catholic nor religious, their machinations are none-the-less fascinating as grown men manage to profess ignorance of where their leader is taking the church.
The NYT reports that Cardinal Francis George, the outgoing Archbishop of the Diocese of Chicago said, “…What he says is clear enough, but what does he want us to do?”
Aren’t bishops and cardinals chosen in part for their leadership skills?
Suddenly they are rather clueless on how to proceed.
Try Wikipedia
Luckily, Wiki comes to the rescue.
“Pope Francis has been known for his humility and his concern for the poor and his commitment to dialogue.”
Well, that’s a start.
And then there’s this: “Furthermore, he emphasized the Christian obligation to assist the poor and the needy in an optimistic tone, as well as promoting peace negotiations and interfaith dialogue.”
Now, I’m no cardinal nor even a bishop but there’s enough there to get started, surely.
Trouble is these old codgers have been singing the same tune for so long they have missed the fact that there is a new choirmaster.
They need worry not since the pope has affirmed Church doctrine on contraception, gays, abortion and the refusal of communion to divorced and re-married faithful.
Che Guevara he ain’t.
Still, his message of humility, kindness and charity is resonating world-wide even outside the church.
The canonical clowns should either take heed or get out of the way.