Answer by Warren H. Carroll, Ph.D on 06-17-2002: Bishop Bruskiewicz is solidly orthodox and one of our best bishops, but he should not be criticizing the Pope, who has taken firm steps against this scandal. Perhaps Bishop Bruskiewica was frustrated that the American bishops did not act sooner and more decisively. But he was at the conference in Dallas and had his chance to persuade them. Now he should come to their support and not divide the Church further. - Dr. Carroll I find this to be an interesting answer, Dr. Carroll. The Pope has taken a firm stand against this scandal? Then perhaps you can explain why these bishops (the ones who have been covering up for their priests raping teenage boys) are still in their dioceses? Where are the proclamations of excommunication? Where is the punishment for this travesty? I think, Dr. Carroll, you have a serious problem. You seem to think the Pope, and I mean this Pope alone, is above criticism. Really? Why is that? What is so special about John Paul II that he is above criticism? Every other Pope is open to criticism, but not this one. Why is he exempt? He is the head of the Church, and as such is ultimately responsible before God for what happens in the Church, good or bad. It is his responsibility to not only lead the Church, it is his responsibility to discipline those who break the law, if he doesn't then he deserves to be criticized. I know that you don't seem to think so, but that doesn't change the truth. Pope John Paul II has done a lot of good, and now it's time for him to do more good, by ridding us of this cancer of these priests who do these horrible things, and of bishops who sit back and let them. You don't get rid of cancer by sitting back and talking, you do it by revealing it exists and attacking it by radiation and whatever else. In the same way, you don't solve this problem by saying someone shouldn't criticize the Pope, and saying we should pray for him, and the bishops. You make it known what should be done, and let the Pope know that he must do his duty. If he doesn't, then who will? Oh, and about how Bishop Bruskewitz "shouldn't divide the Church further", what about you? At least Bishop Buskewitz had the balls to stand up and say something, so where do you get off "criticizing" Bishop Bruskewitz? If everybody believed as you did, these bishops would have gone on for another 2 or 3 decades covering up these crimes, and maybe worse. I think it's time that you stopped worshipping Pope John Paul II and got back to the basics of Faith. I know you don't have the balls to put this on the forum, and that's ok. What we need is more people who are willing to follow the example of Bishop Bruskewitz in this matter, and less of weakling academics who can talk history with the best of them, but who obviously can't learn the hard lessons of that history. And yes, this a personal criticism of you. Or are you exempt from criticism too? Perhaps you could do us all a favor and show us where in the teaching, as a matter of Faith, we are forbidden to "criticize" the Pope. Name the document, council, give the Denzinger number, whatever, but produce it. If you can't, then have the balls to admit that you are simply trying to impose your own opinion on others as though it were equivalent to the gospel.