A leading American cardinal told Pope John Paul II that the U.S. Catholic Churches in “great danger” of government inference in the internal life of the church.
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, addressing the pope May 28, said the recent clergy sexual abuse scandal has allowed civil institutions to inject themselves into the church’s internal affairs. “Courts and legislatures are more ready to restrict the freedom of the church to act publicly and to interfere in the internal governance of the church in ways that are new to American life,” George said. “Our freedom to govern ourselves is diminished.”
His remarks echo concern from others in the church that the abuse scandal has made the church vulnerable to courts that order the release of private documents, or lawmakers who attempt to force priests to report crimes they have heard in confession. In response, John Paul challenged the U.S. bishops to “speak courageously and with a united voice in addressing the great moral and spiritual issues confronting the men and women of our time.”
(RNS)
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