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Dear St.Chuck,

"Sorry, but Archbishop O'Malley's installation mass was not the time or place to promote controversy..."

I don't see what would have been so controversial for the archbishop to personally call Messrs. Kennedy and Kerry to inform them that they are no longer welcome to approach Holy Communion as long as they remain public sinners.

It appears that Archbishop O'Malley may have already gone most of the way there, by at least informing them that they ought not approach, but that he wouldn't refuse them. Apparently, Chappaquiddick Ted, being a bit more of a man and a bit more of a Catholic than Comrade Kerry, took the hint. Without controversy.

I'm sure that the archbishop will do quite well in Boston. But setting the tone was precisely what he could have done. His installation Mass certainly was the place for it. He could have set the tone that, unlike his predecessor, he is serious about Catholicism and the practice of the faith.

Archbishop O'Malley, by the way, IS something of a fire-brand, having called pro-abort Catholic politicians in his previous diocese "KKK without the sheets". If you want to look for "controversy", "lighting the match", and "drawing blood", comparing a group of liberal politicians to the KKK seems to meet those criteria.

But the question will be whether he is all talk, or whether there is action that goes with the talk. Calling the pro-aborts "KKK without sheets" is emotionally very satisfying, but is he willing to follow up his brave words with actions that match? To have failed to do so from the very first is one small misstep on his part, and I don't despair of him for it. I expect great things from him. But I do believe that it is a misstep.

It need not have been done in an overly confrontational way. It would have set a wonderful, positive tone for Catholics who have longed for orthodoxy in this archdiocese. And perhaps, it may have even pricked the conscience of these evil men, perhaps to even get them on the road to repentance.

At the very least, give the benefit of the doubt to those here who disagree with you, that they do not disagree out of vain motives, but out of their own view of what would help heal the Church in Boston. Unfortunately, posts have been made comparing people to pharisees and the like. This, for merely wishing that an archbishop apply Canon Law. At least do not villify those who disagree with you. That would be better than some.

sitetest

At least do not villify those who disagree with you.

Any disagreement we might have is in tactics. I think we share the recognition of the Church's teaching on this particular sin, and agree as to what the bishop's stance should be. I just think that the archdiocese of Boston has a greater priority right now, which is addressing those who have been turned away from the faith by abusive clergy and the church's inability to deal appropriately with abusive clergy. Those Catholics deserve O'Malley's attention more than a coupla renegade politico's. Archbishop O'Malley has set the right tone.

Kerrey and Kennedy are educated men, and are probably well-acquainted with the rules of the Church. That they choose to defy them is not the will of the church but rather a lack of will on the part of Sens. K&K.

Let's not forget, also, that these powerful lawmakers and aspiring president are the elected representatives that Boston area Catholics have supported for many, many years, and whether we like it or not, Kennedy's public values mirror the social values taught by the church. To publicly and imprudently shame these men, in my view, might needlessly repel them from future fruitful alliances with the Church.