I forgot to include this in my list of pet peeves; if there's one thing I really can't stand, it's a hypocrite. Controversy continues in the Archdiocese of Boston, this time surrounding the removal of a popular priest, Father Cuenin, and his subsequent replacement by the former spokesman of Cardinal Bernard Law. Father Cuenin was forced to resign after the archdiocese accused him of financial impropriety involving his use of a leased car. His parishioners maintain that their church council approved these expenditures and that true reasons behind his removal are purely political. Father Cuenin is a supporter of Voice of the Faithful, a Catholic group formed after the child abuse scandal, and signed the letter calling for Cardinal Law to resign. He also has suggested that the church should rethink the possibility of having female priests, married priests, and the teachings on homosexuality. A report released today indicates that the removal of Father Cuenin may stem from the fact that a parish bulletin encouraged parishioners to march in Boston's annual Gay Pride Parade.
I am a Catholic (although certainly not the best example of one), but this sort of stuff makes me not want to go to church anymore. The Archdiocese of Boston has a lot bigger problems to worry about than whether or not a priest supports gay people. High-ranking church officials covered up the sexual abuse of children for decades. Cardinal Law, if he really did know about it all, should be excommunicated and prosecuted. The archdiocese needs to regain the trust of its parishioners by fully acknowledging the scandal, holding those involved accountable, and taking steps to ensure that it will never happen again. Firing a popular priest and gay-bashing are diversionary tactics that aren't fooling anyone.
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