NEW JERSEY
The Jersey Journal
By Rev. Alexander Santora/For the Jersey Journal
on March 27, 2014
The panelists were pumping the Prince of the Church about the Pope.
How will the Pope incorporate more women in the Vatican? What is one disagreement you have had with Pope Francis? What is one thing the Pope will do that will outlast him?
Sean Cardinal O’Malley of Boston wasn’t taking the bait. Even when asked whom will the Pope appoint to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, O’Malley was tight-lipped. Then three days later, Pope Francis appointed O’Malley as the only cardinal and U.S. resident on the eight-member board. It’s almost certain that O’Malley knew that bit of information last Wednesday, March 19, when he addressed an overflow crowd of 200 at the American Bible Society in Manhattan talking about the first anniversary of Francis’ pontificate. …
O’Malley took a swipe at the media for elevating dissent in the church that he said was not there. But I think this is precisely why Francis is so popular: he has heard the people clamoring for a more humane church. And it’s taking a very human pope to win over people’s hearts and minds to at least listen, once again.
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