UNITED STATES
Christian Catholicism

Jerry Slevin

As HBO airs the revealing documentary, “Mea Maxima Culpa”, all are strongly reminded that child endangerment is immoral and usually illegal. Is child endangerment, however, always “evil” for the Pope, or only if it is allegedly done by a constant USA political opponent? The Pope’s record here is most troubling.

The Pope, reportedly acting through Los Angeles Archbishop Gomez, for the first time very publicy shamed a Cardinal, Mahony, even as “evil” for alleged child endangerment misconduct. The chosen term was an ontological one, “evil”, even “brutal”, not the usual and evasive papal theological or psychological euphemisms of “sinful” or “bad judgment”. To the likely dismay of Cardinal Mahony and his criminal lawyers, LA law enforcement officials have already noticed this unprecedented papal green light and have commenced new criminal investigations, as well they should. Better late than never. No offer of “Cardinal…