Che Miracolo!!!!! - Cardinal Mahony Edition

Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, who hasn't found a dissident he doesn't like, or welcome, finally has. & a fellow Bishop to boot. In this case it is Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, the retired auxiliary bishop of Sydney who is on a speaking tour for Voice of the Faithful (VofF).

In 2007 he published Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus. Recently the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference issued a statement warning of “doctrinal difficulties” present in the bishop’s writings. This book was included.

On 9 May Cardinal Mahony sent a letter to Bishop Robinson, asking him not to come. “Your letter informing me of your coming appearance made it clear that you were not seeking my permission or approval, that you were planning to come regardless.” He went on to say: " Under the provisions of Canon 763, I hereby deny you permission to speak in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles." Canon 763 speaks of a Bishop's duty for safeguarding the Church's teachings.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Prefect for the Congregation of Bishops, has also asked Bishop Robinson to cancel his US tour.

Naturally Voice of the Faithful (a disident group, despite their claims to the contrary) is upset. & in their mind they see Bishop Robinson as a loyal Catholic.

I am surprized that VofF sweetheart Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, retired auxillary bishop of Dtroit, hasn't spoken out yet decrying this turn of events & speaking out in support of Bishop Robinson. Esp since he knows what it is like to be banned from speaking in a diocese at a VofF event. But, I'm sure he will.

After his return from Papa Benedetto's visit to DC & New York Cardinal Mahony said he had been changed. "I return to Los Angeles a different disciple of Jesus than when I left a week ago. Thank you, Lord, for sending us not only the Vicar of Christ and the Successor of Peter, but also a brother and friend who knows Jesus personally and gave us six extraordinary days of grace and hope!"

As I said at the start, given Cardinal Mahony's track record, this is a major change in direction for him. If this is a sign of things to come, than maybe Cardinal Mahony has had a major change of heart as he said & we are seeing the start of a major cleaning up of the Archdiocese of LA. Time will tell. Let's pray it does.

Source: Cardinal Mahony bars Australian bishop with “doctrinal difficulties” from archdiocese