Newly minted Cardinals, 2007
This short article by Anne Eggebroten from the Religion Dispatches, though flawed, makes the case that the colossal sex-abuse scandal of the Catholic Church is actually a boon for Catholic women. Eggebroten proposes that, “women’s long fight to win the right to an equal role in the Roman Catholic Church is being shortened by the mistakes of this male hierarchy.”
But, we’ll still have to wait 20-40 years to find out.
My favorite line from her article: “Like Dorothy finally face to face with the Wizard of Oz, we have looked behind the pomp and procession to find a few confused and pitifully human old men at microphones still trying to send out impressive puffs of smoke.” This brings to bear one of my main criticisms of religion in general and Catholicism in particular – the overt distrust in humanity and the caricature of most people as contemptible. When the faithful place their religious guardians on such high pedestals, the fall from grace is fatal. A willingness to cede to our collective humanity and the responsibility that entails is the new tipping point.
What do you think?
Love,
Natanya
i agree with you. her article is a bit triumphalist. i think. i read it a few days ago. i think your last sentence would be a good point to append to her article.
Luke – Yes, triumphalist is the word that sums it up well. Thanks for thinking of it!