Catholics Speak Out

In 1877, Lord John Acton wrote his most famous observation, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Lord Acton, John Dalberg-Acton, actually, was a devoted and argumentative Roman Catholic at a time when belonging to the Roman church still carried nasty consequences for British subjects and even members of the peerage.  He succeeded John Henry Newman (later a cardinal) as editor of Catholic periodical, The Rambler, and from that vantage point ran afoul of ultramontanists and bishops who insisted on absolute "fidelity" to papal--not to mention their own--pronouncements.

Acton's observation about absolute power comes to mind, when regarding the fallout from Florida Congressman Mark Foley's (R) pursuit of Senate pages, or for that matter, the behavior of Bush administration officials in awarding contracts to favored companies.

Covering up and denying unpleasant facts is a very human trait, but it is not conducive to  long-term survival.

While House Leader Dennis Hastert and other leadership officials wished the problem away, a charismatic attractive man
with power was free to continue his predatory behavior. Now, we learn from Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI) that there are other allegations of improper behavior unrelated to Foley.

It is not surprising that the
House leader and his staff hoped that Fordham's anxieties were
exaggerated, and downplayed and covered up what might be an explosive
scandal. Their behavior mirrors that of Catholic bishops and their
superiors, who feared scandal more than the possibility that young
people's lives were being ruined.

Fortunately, US voters get a chance to hold politicians accountable.

But in a church whose leaders point to divine right as their starting point for debate, I wish we Catholics could accept or deny papal appointments to bishoprics. We used to think that quiet lobbying would result in change. Unfortunately, we now know that quiet diplomacy is a delusion. Our options seem limited. We can either withhold donations--which too often causes pain to the poor--or abandon the institution to the "bad guys,"  which arguably leaves them free to continue the abuse.

There is another way to safeguard future generations of Catholics.

We can take responsibility for our church by pointing out problems, suggesting solutions, and identify and use fulcrum points to leverage change.