An excellent well researched article about the situation in St. Louis, the penalty of excommunication, and the tie-in to clergy sex abuse is found at Flying Down to Rio.

Read – Christmas Rant

The best line (for humor) I thought was:

And the situation of Cardinal Bevilacqua is not unique. No Catholic prelate has been sanctioned, to my knowledge, in connection with the recent scandals involving sexual abuse of children. In this context of indulgence of serious abuse by church leaders, it can be argued that the actions of Archbishop Burke in excommunicating the leadership of a parish in a dispute over church property and clergy appointments is for a “slight cause” and therefore “works more evil than good.”

I like the term ‘indulgence’ for its double entendre. I think I shall hasten to call Martin Luther, reformation is needed.