[livius]

I think that Neuhaus, who is a very decent soul, goes out of his way not to appear to be attacking liberals and particularly liberal clergy. He wants to be fair, but when I read his peculiar defenses of some of these people, I am always reminded of American spokesmen rushing forward after the 9/11 attacks to declare that "Islam is a religion of peace." That is, sometimes I think one can go a little too far in being fair.

Fr. Neuhaus was very slow to come around on the child abuse thing, partly because his standard of proof was perhaps a little too high, and partly because (I think) he really didn't want to believe it. He's a convert, after all, and it's very hard to see this sort of thing in a Church that he obviously loves. Recently his statements in First Things have been very forthright and unsparing, while he still tries to avoid making charges he doesn't think could be sustained without further facts. Not that this a bad idea, of course!

[sinkspur]

I suspect Neuhaus may have known Bernardin to some degree, so this may color his attitude as well.

[88keys]

"(Fr. Neuhaus is) a convert, after all, and it's very hard to see this sort of thing in a Church that he obviously loves. Recently his statements in First Things have been very forthright and unsparing, while he still tries to avoid making charges he doesn't think could be sustained without further facts. Not that this a bad idea, of course!

THAT'S what I was trying to say (although I added the "emphasis")...thanks!! ; )

[yendu bwam]

[Neuhaus] is a convert, after all, and it's very hard to see this sort of thing in a Church that he obviously loves.

I think he is heart- and soul-broken, like we all are.