Comments on: Cardinal Biffi versus ‘A Mysterious Cabal of Maniacs’ http://catholicism.org/ad-rem-no-92.html An online journal edited by the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Richmond N.H. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:53:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brother André Marie http://catholicism.org/ad-rem-no-92.html#comment-498 Brother André Marie Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:49:02 +0000 http://catholicism.org/?p=5447#comment-498 Don't fret, Dan. Cardinal Biffi said a lot of good things while he still reigned as Archbishop. His status as "senior statesman" in the Church -- an untouchable respectability -- is a great bully pulpit from which he can inspire younger clerics, both priests and bishops. He's very wisely using a strong leverage. Also, I believe the Holy Father is exercising mere diplomacy in the Obama letter. I confess my own mystification upon hearing the news, but, when you read the diplomacy the popes had to practice in the Ages of Faith, with "most Christian kings," who were conniving rats (and the popes knew it), it's easier to take a more kindly view of the Holy See's realpolitik. Don't forget, the Holy See still officially opposes decriminalizing homosexuality. I believe the method is to go "soft" on persons while maintaining a hard line on issues. In the realms of diplomacy and international politics (where these things are unfolding), that's sometimes the only workable approach. Don’t fret, Dan. Cardinal Biffi said a lot of good things while he still reigned as Archbishop. His status as “senior statesman” in the Church — an untouchable respectability — is a great bully pulpit from which he can inspire younger clerics, both priests and bishops. He’s very wisely using a strong leverage.

Also, I believe the Holy Father is exercising mere diplomacy in the Obama letter. I confess my own mystification upon hearing the news, but, when you read the diplomacy the popes had to practice in the Ages of Faith, with “most Christian kings,” who were conniving rats (and the popes knew it), it’s easier to take a more kindly view of the Holy See’s realpolitik.

Don’t forget, the Holy See still officially opposes decriminalizing homosexuality. I believe the method is to go “soft” on persons while maintaining a hard line on issues. In the realms of diplomacy and international politics (where these things are unfolding), that’s sometimes the only workable approach.

]]> By: Dan Guenzel http://catholicism.org/ad-rem-no-92.html#comment-490 Dan Guenzel Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:48:12 +0000 http://catholicism.org/?p=5447#comment-490 Isn't it terribly sad that strong and sensible comments like those of Msgr Biffi's can only be made after they are safely "retired"? It is also sad that those "unretired" prelates, like, alas, the Holy Father, can instead of speaking soundly like the Cardinal instead send letters of congratulations to the likes of Barack Obama. Sad. Isn’t it terribly sad that strong and sensible comments like those of Msgr Biffi’s can only be made after they are safely “retired”? It is also sad that those “unretired” prelates, like, alas, the Holy Father, can instead of speaking soundly like the Cardinal instead send letters of congratulations to the likes of Barack Obama.

Sad.

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