I have been reading with fascination the back and forth between the Arlington, TX Carmel and Bishop Michael Olson of the Fort Worth Diocese.
All I can say is, let’s put this to the “smell test” for initial treatment.
This smells like shit.
On the surface, something is seriously wrong here. The bishop comes across looking like a vindictive, petulant child. The sisters come across looking like absolute victims. These are impressions.
I say this with little more evidence than what my senses are perceiving.
That’s not entirely true.
I worked for the bishop for a short time. For seven months I was a vice principal at an elementary school in his diocese. I met him exactly three times. I found him cold and aloof. My initial impression was that I had just been introduced to a drunk who is “functioning”. Keep in mind I am an anonymous blogger talking about a public figure. So, again, these are my impressions. I could be entirely off-base. I admit that. Then again, I have a lifetime of experience dealing with drunks. What I can add to this is that I just didn’t care for the man. And that is my impression. Something rubbed me the wrong way.
One thing I do know for sure is this. The Church in these United States has a long history of intertwining with civil and corporate law. Dioceses are incorporated under the laws of the civil jurisdictions in which they are located.
And I know this too… The great State of Texas doesn’t take kindly to anyone seizing the personal property of another as is alleged in this case. If I’ve been reading this correctly, the sisters claim that the bishop took the cell phone and other electronic devices of the Mother.
I am not sure on what grounds he took these things if he did take these things. Which no one has yet disputed.
The images the diocese released of the stash of drugs in the monastery are laughable. It appears to be a setup, at least to me. But, as my dad would say, “What do I know?”
It also seems odd to me that Bergoglio seems to be engaged in a pattern of seizing monastic property from traditional orders.
Im other words, the Vatican can deputize a bishop to act with complete authority. But Texas might have another thing to say about the matter.
We shall see…
Happy Sunday everyone!
Our Lassus of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Harvey Millican's Blog: Musings of a Trad Dad 