The mainstream media has largely been covering Sunday's planned canonizations as a mixed decision with respect to the Second Vatican Council, with John XXIII as the liberal reformer, and John Paul II as the conservative restorationist. Of course, a case can be made that the characterization is actually the complete opposite of reality, particularly concerning liturgy.
Another argument concerning the canonizations has been made in today's USA Today, the largest circulation newspaper in the United States, focusing on the abuse scandals of the 20th century.
Mr. Brett M. Decker, an American writer (and, full disclosure, the best man at my wedding), has an op-ed published on page 6A in today's print edition, entitled "Pope Puts Catholic Rebirth At Risk."
For the record of current events, here are three paragraphs from the opinion piece:
There is a good reason for this. The church teaches that a priest is responsible for every soul in his parish, a bishop for each person in his diocese and the pope for the whole world. The bar is set purposely high because the duties of being vicar of Christ are so immense.
More can always be done to relieve suffering in this world, which an old prayer calls a "valley of tears." There is little reason to believe that these two popes need to be raised above all the others, especially now.
