The Same People

by Carol Kennedy of CarolsComments.com

Recently, a prince of the Church resigned his position as the shepherd of one of the largest Archdioceses in the country amid horrible scandal. As shepherd, he was given the grave responsibility to guard the sheep of his flock and to protect them from harm. Yet, he failed.

IN ONE EAR

Cardinal Law apparently was responsible for covering up for many priests in his diocese that had been accused of sexual molestation. He made the mistake of listening to professionals who said "He is healed of his addiction. He will not do it again." He made the mistake of delegating to others in his command who said "Give the guy a break. He was weak and needs forgiveness and a chance to rebuild his life." He fell prey to those who said "He said he will never do it again and we should believe him" and "He is a good priest! Look how the people love him!" There seems to be no doubt that Cardinal Law acted irresponsibly and failed in his mandate as Shepherd to protect the sheep of his fold from the wolf. Everyone sees how he has failed, many have been clamoring for at least his resignation, and many even want to see him destroyed for his mistakes. Whether we attribute innocent motives to him or not, we see how he has failed.

CRYING WOLF

On the other hand, we have a president who is also responsible for the well being of many. As Commander in Chief he must protect the country from any enemy that may do harm to the innocent civilians living in this country. We count on him to be watchful. We expect him to be strong. He must be like a father in many ways.

This president is now faced with a wolf ready to attack. This wolf has threatened before. This wolf has killed his own kind. This wolf has made a habit of lying in the past about his intentions. And now this wolf wants to be trusted. Many say to the president "We have to believe him, he seems to be telling the truth this time." Others say "He is a good guy, look how his people love him." Some say, "He can't be that bad. Just let him be."

And, if the president listens to these folks, and if this wolf sends his minions to the towns and cities carrying backpacks laden with dirty bombs, or contagious diseases, and innocent civilians are dropping dead one after another–children, the elderly, women and men–who will call for justice? Who will demand that he resign his post as Commander in Chief? Who will say "We expected you to protect us! How could you fail us in this way?"

CAPE FEAR

If you have ever seen the 1962 version of Cape Fear, you know the terror of having a monster stalk your family while you are useless to protect them. In this movie, a lawyer's family is threatened by a recently released convict who, eight years earlier, was put away with the help of the lawyer. The stalker knows just how to threaten the wife and daughter of the lawyer without crossing the line that gets him arrested. Of course, this is before any anti-stalking laws had been passed. Therefore, the father and sheriff whose responsibility it is to protect the innocent in their charge, are helpless to do their jobs. Their hands are tied by a monster whom they know is going to sexually assault the lawyers wife and daughter.

What must the father do to protect his wife and daughter? Should he wait and see what happens? Should he give the guy the benefit of the doubt? Or should he take immediate action to protect his family. Should he use physical force if the stalker comes near them?

I wonder when we will stop holding leaders accountable for their failure to protect only AFTER they have failed. There is not doubt they must be held accountable. But it seems to me that the people who were whispering in the Cardinal's ear to give the guy a break are the same people who are now pointing their fingers at him. And the people who are clamoring for heads to roll after 9-11, pointing their fingers at Bush and saying he knew or should have known, are the same ones urging him to give Sadaam a break.

Give peace a chance? How about giving intellectual consistency a chance! Or maybe reason, lets give reason a chance!

In 1997, Carol Kennedy received her MA in Theology with a certification in Catechetics from Franciscan University. She spent the next year teaching catechetical methods at the university. She then moved on to Ann Arbor, Michigan where she worked with the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist as the DRE of the Spiritus Sanctus Academies. While in Ann Arbor she met her husband, Jim Kennedy, on the Ave Maria Catholic Singles website. Carol now lives in Northern California with her growing family.