In general, the "Citizen Kane" comments are good to keep in mind as a caution in power misuse.

However,as a local observer of this confrontation between Bishop Grahmann and the latest group of unhappy Catholics I think that an undue amount of emphasis is being put on the "Rich Men" label. Perhaps the better point would be that they are frustrated beyond belief.

To put it in more perspective, Wick Allison's revelation came about after the Dallas Morning News had two stories run within the past month (I think! maybe past two months) that further revealed Bp. Grahmann's poor leadership. One was about the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral being accused of sexual advances toward a male parishioner (to make a long story short) which neither the pastor nor the diocese denied. The pastor was left in place with no consequences.The other was about a reassigned priest being allowed to skim off the top of a ministry while charging poor people for the ministry's services.

Bishop Grahmann never commented on either story, standing pat on his gag rule for priests in his parish ... no comments are allowed to any media. Instead, after the second story ran, without much rebuttal from the official diocese spokesman, there was a long, self pitying editorial in Texas Catholic about how the Bishop is being picked on by the Dallas Morning News. There is little to wonder at if this is what prompted Wick Allison to write his editorial.

It is interesting to note that while Bp. Grahmann did not respond to the two earlier news articles, but what he undoubtedly saw as a personal attack in the revelation by Wick Allison prompted immediate, outraged response. Texas Catholic had a front page story about media bias, a letter of support signed by prominent local protestant ministers, and letter from the bishop expressing his sorrow that a group of local Catholics chose to act in such a way.

Also interesting is that all the other times there have been problems, from Rudy Kos on to the present, there have been numerous letters from local Catholics to the editor in the newspaper protesting the Bishop's behavior. Notably, in the most recent event (Wick Allison vs. Bp. Grahmann), there have been none in support of the Bishop. Believe me, if people felt there was an unfair power play going on, they would speak up. We've all seen this Bishop in action before. His stock in trade is using the media to place blame everywhere except where it belongs. That's what Wick Allison is tired of and the rest of us are too.
Julie Davis | 01.31.03 - 1:12 pm | #

Like I say, I back Mr. Allison's move because I think Grahmann is a terrible bishop and he can't jerk the flock around forever. I simply note that there are always dangers attendant, and never more so than when we are really right.
Mark Shea | Homepage | 01.31.03 - 1:37 pm | #

As a remote observer I don't detect a "keep the faith, change the Church" attitude in Dallas as is the case in Boston, etc. It's more like "keep the faith, change the bishop" -- which addresses the accountability and leadership issues in isolation of everything else.

Patrick Sweeney | Homepage | 01.31.03 - 2:30 pm | #

Karen Marie Knapp has a great relevant quote from Thomas Merton over on her blog. It makes me squirm.

http://kmknapp.blogspot.com/
David | 01.31.03 - 4:38 pm | #

That is a humbling quote from Merton and something that we all need to remember. In dealing with Bp. Grahmann I have tried to apply what St. Augustine said, "That your enemies have been created is God's doing; that they hate you and wish to ruin you is their own doing. What should you say about them in your mind? 'Lord be merciful to them, forgive them their sins, put the fear of god in them, change them!' You are loving in them not what they are, but what you would have them to become."

Of course, he isn't making that very easy, which is our own personal test!
Julie Davis | 01.31.03 - 8:34 pm | #

Oops, of course I meant God (capital G) above. Forgive my poor proofing.
Julie Davis | 01.31.03 - 8:35 pm | #