UNITED STATES
National Catholic Reporter

Sep. 12, 2012
By Brian Cahill

Opinion

A friend who is a faithful Catholic and is at daily Mass once told me the Catholic hierarchy’s idea of communication and public relations seems to be purchasing thousands of gallons of kerosene to pour on the flames they themselves ignited.

The loss of credibility and moral authority of American bishops comes from the abuse scandal, the insensitive treatment of women and gays, and the emphasis on orthodoxy and authority. But the bishops also have been ineffective at public relations. There are many examples.

Cardinal Raymond Burke, head of the Vatican’s highest court, the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, said the failure of “knowledge and application of canon law” was a “significant contribution” to the sex abuse scandal. He seems to be saying that if only those pedophile priests had paid more attention to their…