BishopAccountability.org
	Why So Much Attention to Cardinal Egan's Unnamed Critics? By Mark McCabe Journal News [New York] April 26, 2007 http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070426/OPINION/704260339/1076/OPINION03 The officers and members of Division 5 Ancient Order of Hibernians as Catholic laymen take offense at the continued defamation of the spiritual leader of our Catholic archdiocese, Cardinal Edward Egan, in The Journal News, particularly as expressed in the reporting of Gary Stern. Three front-page articles based on an anonymous letter supposedly written by disaffected clergy was the basis for the slander this past fall. To date, several months later, no clergyman or individual has acknowledged authoring the charges. Would The Journal News have run these kinds of charges on any other religious leader in America? They never have and even serious moral lapses of religious leaders do not receive this kind of coverage. Stern and The Journal News on April 2 ("Retirement watch begins as Egan hits 75") once again attack our archdiocesan spiritual leader. In this instance, the cover is a report on a routine administrative requirement that all bishops submit a retirement letter to the Vatican at age 75. Why do we take strong exception to this news approach? Here are the nuts and bolts of this most recent Catholic baiting: Story item: Priests complain about a lack of leadership and pastoral touch. ("Priests' letter berates Egan," Journal News, Oct. 13). Which priests are complaining and to whom? Is Stern a father confessor of New York's Catholic clergy? There are almost 1,000 priests in the diocese, several hundred deacons and to date not one instance of public criticism has been presented. Does The Journal News and Stern have a pipeline to a dissenting cleric(s) and if so why isn't (who) forthright and up-front? A manly priest would have the courage to directly speak to his Cardinal. Story item: A reference in the April 2 article ("Retirement watch begins as Egan hits 75") to "an anonymous letter that provoked tremendous discussion about Egan's future." Who discussed this letter? Egan addressed it promptly and appropriately. The media, including The New York Times, ran with it. Are Catholics in the pews concerned? Another media feeding frenzy aimed at Catholics. Has anything occurred as a result of the anonymous charges? Cowards generally author anonymous letters. The substance, as in this instance, is usually worthless. Story item: Another reference in the April 2 article to widespread dissatisfaction about how Egan handled several high-profile cases. Who is dissatisfied? What cases? Which churchgoing Catholics are disturbed about the pastoral and compassionate manner in which our cardinal has effectively handled inappropriate clerical behavior? Incidentally, these actions occurred before his watch. His pastoral and professional approach has been exemplary. Meeting the needs of 2.5 million Catholics; administrating hundreds of churches, schools and health facilities; and supervising thousands of clerics and laypersons while functioning at the world's center is not a cakewalk. Story item: A reference in the April 2 article that increasingly open criticism will affect Egan's future. Where is the open criticism? To date neither The Journal News nor Stern has quoted one priest with a specific criticism. Of course, the media then attributes this to clerical authoritarianism, how cute. Interestingly, Stern does not record one positive contribution made by Egan. Egan, an outstanding leader, has demonstrated excellence in working through serious issues in two dioceses, both inherited. Are there limitations and can there be negative criticism? Of course. As a man, he is a scholar, classical pianist, linguist, polio survivor, skilled administrator and an accomplished diplomat. Most importantly, for 50 years he has lived a priestly life loyal to Christ and his church. This is, of course, the reason for the tremendous media antipathy. The Journal News obviously favors heterodox Catholics and editorially has praised even those who support abortion. Many Catholics have observed the underreporting of the varied activities of the 19 parishes in Rockland. One has only to read the church weekly bulletins to note the spiritual and communal services provided to thousands of citizens of our communities. Why aren't they newsworthy? It is important to note that the paper and Stern did a solid job covering Holy Week and Easter Sunday holidays. Stern's coverage of Father Benedict Groeschel's Good Friday meditation at Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Mamaroneck was outstanding. Hopefully The Journal News will begin to afford the Catholic Church, her members and clergy the same respect and fairness it habitually extends to other religions and their leaders. The writer is president of Division 5 AOH in Blauvelt. The article was submitted on behalf of the membership of Terence McSwiney Division 5 Ancient Order of Hibernians.
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