BZZZT! Nick is going through the motions. On can not be a "devout and orthodox Catholic" and support abortions. He does, even if he refuses to admit it. Writing this column to encourage others to think as he does is pretty bad.
My wife and I have been "recalibrating" our understanding of him this week. We're trying to put the pieces together. I can tell you that he worked very hard when he was on the sexual abuse board. He was absolutely furious about the bishops covering for abusive priests. He's a regular church-goer. I know that he is opposed to abortion. You'll have to take my word on that.
So how can I explain this? I can't. It's an extraordinary and uncharacteristic lapse in judgement. I have to admit that if I didn't know him personally, I would simply dismiss him as a CINO, as many here have.