Over at the National Schismatic Reporter, Michael Sean Winters has a supremely naïve piece (for which I hope he was paid by the word). Winters lays out a grand plan for Pope Francis to reform the Roman Curia and why.
Aside from the fact that MSW has no clue whatsoever about procedures in the Roman Curia, here is one naive assertion about how thing ought to be under this kinder, compassionate Pope:
As mentioned at the beginning, the most important change that appears to be needed at the curia is a change of heart. Already, the new pope seems willing to teach by example. Will his simplicity of personal style be mimicked by his new associates and will that simplicity carry over to their style of thinking, their manner of approaching problems? For example, you may agree or disagree with the decisions made by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding any given theologian, but the whole process of examining theological texts should be re-worked, to introduce greater openness and accountability. [Good grief… if only he knew thing one about the procedure presently followed in the CDF!] You may like the appointment of culture warrior bishops or, like me, think it is a horrible development in the life of the Church, but why do Metropolitans and their suffragan bishops – and indeed the local clergy – no longer play any role in drawing up ternas for vacant sees? [They do still play a role, though perhaps not as much as they did once.] Wide consultation yields better information and, usually, a more balanced perspective. But, this kind of change is not intended only to yield more information, it is designed to end the sense among some nuncios and among those who work at the Congregation for Bishops that “they know best.”
Note the plea about “more information” at the local level. El Pueblo knows best!
MSW calls for what was done under apostolic delegates such as Archbp. Jadot.
That yielded a culture of protectors of child abusers.
