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Too Easy on the Pope

Apr 04, 2005 11:26 AM
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Yeah, he did a lot of good things, but wasn't he also the guy who failed to head off the largest-scale child rape in recent history, which happened under his watch?

Unlike his ridiculous views on many subjects (e.g. preventing condom distribution in AIDS-ravaged communities is more important than saving lives, the notion that everyone he beatified had performed "miracles"), this is a horrible failure that should mar his biography.

It wasn't until a March 2002 letter, where he just briefly alluded to the clergy molestation scandal, that the Pope even addressed the fact that Catholic Priests had been molesting kids by the thousands.

Instead, I haven't seen it mentioned in a single news retrospective. What a whitewashing.

update Christopher Hitchens wasn't afraid to mention the scandals and shortcomings in the Pope's last days. (via MemeFirst, who have their own commentary)


Comments: Too Easy on the Pope

But don't you think that sort of thing should wait a little bit? I mean the guy's not even in the ground yet. I find it a bit insensitive to (basically) say "good riddance" at this stage.

Posted by: Steve Meister on April 4, 2005 2:43 PM | permalink

Well said, Joe.

Posted by: J on April 4, 2005 3:00 PM | permalink

To an extent, yes. I'm not saying he's Yasser Arafat or anything, but I think that has to be balanced with the desire to be even-handed. Too much of the press coverage sounds like it was written by adoring Roman Catholics.

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on April 4, 2005 3:05 PM | permalink

I guess you had issues with Reagan's death news coverage too.

I don't think anyone wishes to whitewash his legacy, they're just showing some respect.

And, my guess is, that most of the press coverage was written by adoring Roman Catholics, who may not be aware that PJP2 beatified Queen Isabella, she who was responsible for the Spanish Inquisition...

Posted by: Kearns on April 4, 2005 3:16 PM | permalink

Coverage on Meet the Press this weekend as well as the Chris Matthews show was pretty balanced. They mentioned his shortcomings in the abuse scandal and relations with the Jews and such.

The New York Times today also had some "take his papacy with a grain of salt" type articles. No pope bashing, but respectfully critical.

Posted by: ChuckJerry on April 4, 2005 4:59 PM | permalink

Yeah, maybe I was too impatient.

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on April 4, 2005 5:37 PM | permalink

I was going to mention Reagan, the way they glorified him in death really pissed me off.

So, should we show false respect and fill history books with lies that completely glorify people who did at least some bad things? I say no.

Posted by: O'dell on April 4, 2005 8:36 PM | permalink

there is never a better time than now to communicate truth about anyone no matter their titles

Posted by: wolf on April 8, 2005 7:33 PM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.