AmericanPapist Comments
This strikes me as very sad. In many ways. Rest, Excellency.
Umm, and why exactly should the much-touted "transparency" encompass the private medical problems of a bishop?
I'm not sure why it's anyone's damn business. People should content themselves praying for His Excellency's health.
That's too simplistic Thomas. Health problems are one thing; evidence of brutal assault is quite another. One is private, the other isn't, not against a bishop it isn't.
Well, the man in question says that there was no assault. Diogenes' snarky comment about transparency is obnoxious. It's calling the bishop a liar and/or accusing the Holy See of covering up the "real story." Where's the evidence?
Thomas, the man in question also says the little people in Halloween masks won't leave his house. The man in question is not in command of his reason, so what he SAYS happened must be weighed against what the MEDICAL evidence thinks happened. Indeed, the beating he probably took might have caused enough brain injury to make him unable to recall the crime. I'm not saying we know what happened, or that we will know, but your stance simply can't be defended, not among reasonable observers.
Diogenes just likes to hear himself talk. He's become more and more obnoxious.
Dr. Peters,
I disagree with your assessment that seeing little people is a sign of someone not being in control of his reason. Take for example Charles Bonnet Syndrome (http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=604), a condition that might be precipitated by age, or maybe even a fall.
Either way, prayers are due.
P.S. Love your writings
I don't think Diogenes has gotten to the point that he hurts more than helps. If you understand his "spiel" I'd rather have him say some of these things then someone who doesn't have the best interests of the Church at heart do it.
Reformation from within....
"...but your stance simply can't be defended, not among reasonable observers."
I'll assume that just came off wrong and you aren't trying to rival Diogenes for obnoxiousness.
To the point, the fact that the bishop was so severely injured that he himself may not recall the incident just goes to show how unfair the quips about "transparency" are.
And at no point did I argue that the issue should be dropped by legitimate authorities. This business about transparency has been brought up in recent years in the context of the relationship between the institutional Church and the laity. And in that context I stand by the fact that this case really has no business being aired so publicly just because he's a bishop. If the authorities are able to draw conclusions based on sound evidence, then let the final analysis be made known. In the meantime, people should can the snark and pray for the bishop's health.
"To the point, the fact that the bishop was so severely injured that he himself may not recall the incident just goes to show how unfair the quips about "transparency" are."
If that's the case, then it's simple to come out and say so.
Thomas, I suspect that you may not have followed the story. It has involved a great deal of fishiness.
As for Diogenes (a pen name used by several different individuals at CWNews), I think he is the best Catholic blogger out there.
I have followed the story, and I know it's all very bizarre. All the more reason to handle things delicately and with discretion (and without insulting and rash judgments).
Diogenes was not on my radar, I said nothing about him/her/them either way, did I.
What I said was, the dismissal of inquiry about what some labelled as personal health matters was not a reasonable stance to take in this case. I stand by that opinion.
Here's hoping folks don't read more, or less, into it.
Bishop Pelotte served our diocese well but there came a point where other issues got in the way. I live here, I am a Catholic and in the loop so to speak.
My prayers are constantly with Bishop Pelotte, he is close to our family and we care for him not just has a Bishop but as a friend.
There is indeed something wrong with the entire story, starting from the moment that the Deacon opened the door to the Bishop's house and found him locked in his bedroom. It was said that he refused medical care, so instead of an ambulance, he was carried down 3 flights of stairs, for the most part unconscious and deadweight. First question: Why wasn't an ambulance called? What was in the house that the Deacon needed to clean up? Bishop suffered not only trauma to many parts of his body but also a Traumatic Brain Injury. What if he had suffered a break in his neck or back, he could have been permanently paralyzed. As it was he was flown almost immediately to a larger trauma hospital. How was he able to make his wishes known about medical care and how did that happen with him in a semi-conscious state if not totally unconscious?
I hold no ill will toward Bishop Donald, he started out with the best intentions for our diocese. Perhaps God saw that he was not able to do what needed to be done here and this was sadly, a way to end the struggles.
May he now rest in Our Risen Savior and recover to the degree that God allows him to. We will miss his kindness towards the children and elderly and his respect for all people of color.
"Here's hoping folks don't read more, or less, into it."
Funny, since that's exactly what you did to me.
Uh, Pepper, I live in the diocese too, and beg to differ on one point. He hasn't served our diocese well for a long time. His moral failings have not allowed him to be a shepherd to this long suffering diocese. You are correct,though, in saying that he needs our prayers.
Thomas, Diogenes may have good reason to imply that the bishop may not be telling the truth. It's happened before. http://tinyurl.com/5uyof5
I was at his Episcopal Ordination in 1986 and believe at that time and for several years after that many in this diocese had great hopes that as a young, vibrant Bishop he would build up our diocese.
Unfortunately CK, you are correct in that he hasn't served our diocese well for a long time due to serious moral failings, some of which are well known to people in our area.
But, I'll say again:
"I hold no ill will toward Bishop Donald. He started out with the best intentions for our diocese. Perhaps God saw that he was not able to do what needed to be done here and this was sadly, a way to end the struggles".
And I pray the Holy Father in his wisdom will send us the shepherd we so desperately need.
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