OK, Mrs. Don-O, now you've gone too far! My beloved Colombo?! That man was a genius - albeit a fictional one. Columbo had at least 30 points on Frankie's IQ.
I, too, have wondered what the heck is up with the bishops and Cardinals, and I've done some sleuthing. I have a couple of well placed sources. No reason for you to believe me, but, if you'll give me the benefit of the doubt, here goes.
Apparently, that book The Dictator Pope is accurate: Pope Francis is a nasty piece of work, not a kind human being, and is indeed a dictator. He really does have narcissistic personality disorder and cannot stand to be questioned, criticized, or second-guessed. He has a hot temper and an unpleasant personality. Also, he is in NO WAY humble. So, any bishop or Cardinal who takes him on will be personally banished (at best) or destroyed via blackmail or a set-up with false evidence (at worst). (Why do you think Cardinal Pell, who seems to have found evidence of financial chicanery at the Vatican, was sent packing back to Australia to face bogus charges?) OK, so let's say a brave bishop or Cardinal reasons, “I don't care about myself. I am going to fight for Christ's church"? Well, there is a real and well-founded fear among all but the most despicable Cardinals, such as Cupich in Chicago, who is on the same page as Pope Francis, that riling Pope Francis will provoke him to wreak even more, and possible permanent, damage on the CHURCH HERSELF. Right now, Pope Francis is engaging in all sorts of foolishness that isn't Catholic, such as that Health Summit this past weekend, to which Katy Perry and Tony Robbins were invited. But what if the Pope, incensed at being challenged by some brave bishops, simply announces that, say, “All baptised Christians are welcome to receive Communion from now on”? You may say, “He can't do that”. However, what if he WERE to do exactly that? Utter chaos would ensue. And there may be no putting the toothpaste back in the tube.
This isn't my phrase, but it is one someone on the internet has tagged Pope Francis with, and it is apt: “The Evil Clown”. We are dealing with an Evil Clown. I don't judge the bishops and Cardinals — well, except for Cupich and Newark Tobin and that jerk in San Diego — as harshly as some do because there is an argument to be made that for the sake of the faith and the Church, we perhaps should not rile Pope Francis. God only knows how we may react.
Have not read George Neumayr's The Political Pope. Have you? Is it worth $16 on my Kindle or should I wait for it to come down? I Am trying to figure this guy out.
Why did he blow past the Archbishop of Liverpool, the British primate Nichols, and even his own appointed pro-death buddy, Paglia, to not only "advocate for," but try to actively rescue Alfie Evans?
Is he just impulsive, sentimental and erratic? Or image-driven, hoping to grab the spotlight as His Holy Sweet Humbleness, Rescuer of Children?
Or could there be a dollop of goodness in him? Seriously. I suppose in justice and charity we should consider that.