I would just like to take a moment to recognize that Bishop Melis just compared this situation [being indicted of a blatant financial crime] to our Lord and Savior's Passion.
> "there is someone who has the power to make life impossible"
It is true that courts have some degree of power over one's body, but one must have a sense of perspective. If he is a Pillar reader I recommend to him a half-hour spent with Luke 12:4-5.
I am reminded of Scipio being accused of embezzling funds during his time of dictatorship. Rather than defend himself he left Rome, and upon his death announced "ungrateful city, you shall not have my bones"
As Mike Duncan from History of Rome noted "he never denied the charges"
I am grateful that the Pillar covers both the high level financial stuff as well as the more “mundane” allegations of parish embezzlement. I know there are differences between them, but I can’t help but view them as essentially the same. Words like “corruption” and “Cardinal,” and the context of “the Vatican” seem to enable a distinction - THAT stuff is really bad, but when it’s a local parish administrator or priest, it’s a failing, or an error in judgment, or whatever - which I don’t think is real. The distinction seems to deny that the mentality in the local context enables (or at least facilitates) the higher level corruption. I think it’s easier to take comfort by scapegoating the bad actors and to think it’s a top-down problem, rather than to recognize that there are bottom-up decisions/cultural norms which enable the higher profile bad actors. I’m sure there’s some element of chicken-or-egg, but I think there’s a tendency to deny the egg outright.
His father was Luigi, so he became Luigino (shortened to Gino in Australia) and he named his eldest son Luigi too so he became luiginetto and then shortened to Ginetto… they could have picked a new name. 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you for continuing to report on this case.
I would just like to take a moment to recognize that Bishop Melis just compared this situation [being indicted of a blatant financial crime] to our Lord and Savior's Passion.
Similar to how Cdl. Becciu has characterized his own situation.
I blinked out loud at that one. It seems like a poor time to be adding more millstones 😳
> "there is someone who has the power to make life impossible"
It is true that courts have some degree of power over one's body, but one must have a sense of perspective. If he is a Pillar reader I recommend to him a half-hour spent with Luke 12:4-5.
I do not see a denial from His Excellency there.
I am reminded of Scipio being accused of embezzling funds during his time of dictatorship. Rather than defend himself he left Rome, and upon his death announced "ungrateful city, you shall not have my bones"
As Mike Duncan from History of Rome noted "he never denied the charges"
Grateful he didn't steal more? Grateful he knew how to use the money better than they did? Big picture you're right, of course.
I am grateful that the Pillar covers both the high level financial stuff as well as the more “mundane” allegations of parish embezzlement. I know there are differences between them, but I can’t help but view them as essentially the same. Words like “corruption” and “Cardinal,” and the context of “the Vatican” seem to enable a distinction - THAT stuff is really bad, but when it’s a local parish administrator or priest, it’s a failing, or an error in judgment, or whatever - which I don’t think is real. The distinction seems to deny that the mentality in the local context enables (or at least facilitates) the higher level corruption. I think it’s easier to take comfort by scapegoating the bad actors and to think it’s a top-down problem, rather than to recognize that there are bottom-up decisions/cultural norms which enable the higher profile bad actors. I’m sure there’s some element of chicken-or-egg, but I think there’s a tendency to deny the egg outright.
Ed, JD, I think you should check these two pillar readers have their own subscriptions. I suspect they might be sharing passwords.
Is “Tonino” the Italian equivalent of the more New Jerseyan flavored sobriquet “Li’l Ant’ny”?
Yes
My bisnonno was the 5th Luigi.
His father was Luigi, so he became Luigino (shortened to Gino in Australia) and he named his eldest son Luigi too so he became luiginetto and then shortened to Ginetto… they could have picked a new name. 🤷🏼♀️