Public humiliation unnecessary

I was extremely disappointed in the article (CR, Nov. 3) on the resignation of the pastor at Our Lady of the Fields. The Catechism defines detraction as one who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them. While the parish certainly had a right to know about its pastor’s conduct, was it really necessary to humiliate him by publishing it as well?

Maybe if the Archdiocese of Baltimore showed some compassion toward her priests who make mistakes, as well as those who are just accused of misconduct, we might all benefit with more vocations.

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.