MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Herald
By:
O’Ryan Johnson
Recent moves inside the Holy See to sideline conservative cardinals have solidified Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s status as a Vatican insider who has the ear of Pope Francis, experts on the Catholic Church say.
“It cements his role as a trusted advisor,” said the Rev. James Bretzke, professor of moral theology at Boston College. “I wouldn’t use the term ‘power broker,’ because I think that’s the wrong nuance. In terms of trying to develop a pastoral vision, as well as a strategic plan, O’Malley is clearly in the inner circle, and the single American cardinal that is in the inner circle.”
Terrance McKiernan, president of BishopAccountability.org, said O’Malley ignores the “culture warrior” rhetoric of past prelates in favor of finding common ground with all believers. That resonates with Francis, who has already benched cardinals who courted controversy in public fights over church doctrine.
“O’Malley is kind of consolidating power within the Francis administration without having any official title,” McKiernan said. “Pope Francis is a shrewd guy. By establishing this side group of cardinals, he side-steps the hierarchy while he’s restructuring it.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.