Joe Ratzinger comes to America

MANIFESTO

Just to follow up on DarLucky's post ...

It'll come as no surprise to readers of this blog that I'm terribly amused when the Holy Father deigns to come to this side of the Atlantic. The usual hysteria always accompanies him, and presidents (especially the current one) hope to get a photo op with someone who's actually popular with his constituents.

Be that as it may, not everyone is exactly wild with enthusiasm about the Pope's visit. Some Bostonians, especially, are disturbed that he's chosen to neglect their fair city—the epicenter of the priestly abuse scandal—during his trip to the US. Even His Holiness's expressions of regret concerning the incidents have rung hollow for many victims.

It's an episode that'll probably never be entirely resolved to anyone's satisfaction, but the Holy Father might've been just a little more demonstrative about his concern.

By the way, amid all the hullabalo it might be worth noting that

a third of American Catholics say they never attend Mass, and ... a majority of them say they never attend confession either.

UPDATE — I'm glad to see that on Thursday the pope met with various victims of priestly abuse.