UNITED STATES
Christian Catholicism
Jerry Slevin
When Roman emperors faced internal crises, they often sponsored spectacular free circuses of gladiators and wild beasts to distract the oppressed Roman people. Pope Francis appears to be continuing this imperial tradition, first by his World Youth Day extravaganza in Rio de Janeiro that cost over $ 50,000,000, and now with his lavish, but unnecessary, dual saint making Roman spectacular. Of course, Pope Francis appears to have access to considerable assets, both those owned by the Vatican as well as those offered by the Vatican’s opportunistic and wealthy “friends”, as reported here
[The Open Tabernacle: Here Comes Everybody]
In this Internet Era, however, these “circuses” are unlikely to distract many from the Vatican’s ongoing child abuse and financial scandals and regressive sexual policies. When the last cardinal’s red dress fades from the screen, the pressing question will remain: What about the cardinals and bishops who failed, and continue to fail, to protect children?
Francis is expecting over 5,000,000 tourists when on April 27 he “infallibly” declares Popes John Paul II and John XXIII saints. The Vatican is preparing its most ambitious TV and social media campaign yet for the millions who don’t make it to Rome, including 3-D movie theaters in 20 countries, with help from Cardinal Pell’s pal, Rupert Murdoch’s Sky TV network, Sony and other partners.
Michael Jackson would be envious, as Francis appears intent on outshining the Super Bowl halftime show. While many opportunistic papal media apologists will dwell on the pageantry of the “papal game”, a few will likely step up for defenseless children. Does Francis really think viewers who care about children will be distracted for long? Even many Catholics now realize modern popes have taken the early Christian practice of honoring martyrs and turned saint making into profitable propaganda projects.
By contrast to this current PR project aimed obviously at trying to enhance papal prestige and power by striving to glorify Francis’ “semi-divine” predecessors, Francis continues with his low key, almost sheepishly muted responses to the Vatican’s biggest crisis, the scandal of failing to hold bad cardinals and bishops accountable for their longstanding and often continuing child protection failures.
Indeed, even Francis’ recent widely reported brief “off the cuff” remarks in a closed meeting with international child protection advocates are ambiguous and inadequate with respect to key issue of imposing sanctions on bad bishops. Indeed, as AP’s astute Vatican reporter, Nicole Winfield honestly noted: “Though unclear, Pope Francis’ comments about the ‘sanctions that must be imposed’ could be a reference to the need to hold bishops accountable.” Could be? What is Francis problem with “straight talk” here? What are he and his cardinals afraid of?
Moreover, Winfield also noted, with respect to the highly touted Vatican media machine, the seeming effort of Vatican TV to avoid these off the cuff remarks. Winfield added: “Pope Francis’ comments during the closed audience were reported in part by Vatican Radio, and Vatican Television EXCLUDED THEM ENTIRELY in its initial edit of the audience. The full quote was obtained after The Associated Press requested video of the full comments from Vatican Television.” {Emphasis added}
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