Indeed, the history of the English Reformation is instructive. The bishops line up behind the king. Even the leaders of the pilgrim of grace believed the king. The professionals sold out, some because they were with Cranmer and some because they hope to turn the king. The American Church seems to be as confused. The Bishops are meeting in Baltimore and back to doing what they have done for years, pass resolutions on the economy and the like, rather than regroup to resist obama’s secularization of the social services. I am afraid that some will be co-opted by the President. I could not believe that Dolan would not use the simple expedient of inviting neither candidate to the Al Smith dinner.
Whether intellectually knowing things have changed will overcome his desire to play the role of "Kim, little friend of all the world", remains to be seen.