Bureaucratic blather

Stop for a moment and read through Cardinal O’Malley’s statement about the McCarrick affair:

Here are some excerpts:

“While the Church in the United States has adopted a zero tolerance policy regarding the sexual abuse of minors by priests we must have clearer procedures for cases involving bishops. Transparent and consistent protocols are needed to provide justice for the victims and to adequately respond to the legitimate indignation of the community. The Church needs a strong and comprehensive policy to address bishops’ violations of the vows of celibacy in cases of the criminal abuse of minors and in cases involving adults.”

and

The Church needs to swiftly and decisively take action regarding these matters of critical importance. In every instance of claims made by victims of sexual abuse, whether criminal violations or the abuse of power, the primary concern must be for the victim, their family and their loved ones. The victims are to be commended for bringing to light their tragic experience and must be treated with respect and dignity.”

and

three actions are now required of the Church: a fair and rapid adjudication of these accusations; an assessment of the adequacy of our standards and policies in the Church at every level, and especially in the case of bishops; and communicating more clearly to the Catholic faithful and to all victims the process for reporting allegations against bishops and cardinals.

“Failure to take these actions will threaten and endanger the already weakened moral authority of the Church and can destroy the trust required for the Church to minister to Catholics and have a meaningful role in the wider civil society,”

Has anybody else noticed what is missing?

It’s something called “the Catholic faith.”

This is the sort of bureaucratic blather that is concocted by public relations consultants sitting around a table with lawyers and insurance men. This is the inoffensive newspeak loved by politicians–a press release which will smooth feathers and seem to reassure people. Note that nobody is actually taking personal responsibility to get anything done. Instead “the Church” must do this and that and the other.