You can only discuss an issue in private with the Bishop? That has never been the case. Can you show me any teaching by the Church that one cannot issue one’s opinion on a non-formal teaching in public?There is more room for legitimate disagreement on the death penalty then there is on abortion or . . .If Justice Scalia were debating this with a bishop in private then your statement would have merit.
The Church can respond anywhere it likes. What is stopping it? It seems as though you think the Church is powerless to respond to this great man. I hardly think so.He dismissed the latest Ecclesiastical VitaeCriticizing in public without giving the church an opportunity to respond is not legitimate disagreement that I can see.
patent +AMDG
Does one call oneself a devout spouse and then critcize one's spouse in public? Should Cardinal Dulles, instead of merely walking out of the room in disgust, have lept up ad grabbed the microphone contiuing the tacky argument further?
I recognize the justice's right to state his side of an argument with a body he claims to have allegiance to in public, and without inviting counter argument in the very same forum.