Pope Francis and Credibility

Pope Francis

Credibility is so hard to gain, and so easy to lose. Pope Francis has much credibility going for him: revered by millions of Catholics as the Holy Father, he has a charming personality, a touch for ordinary people (he recently married a couple during an airplane flight), a gift for saying the right thing. I've blogged about some of his previous speeches, which I thought were wonderful.

But, then, yesterday he defended controversial Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, who is widely believed to have covered for an abusive priest. Barros has been accused of being present while sex abuse occurred. The Catholic Church has, as we all know, had a long-standing problem with abusive priests. Yet, Pope Francis said, "There is not one single piece of proof against him (Bishop Barros). It is all slander. Is that clear?" That seems implausible.

During his trip to South America, Pope Francis also gave a wonderful speech to a group of Peruvian orphans. "Forgive us those times when we adults have not cared for you, and when we did not give you the importance you deserve." He encouraged them to get an education, to be open to new adventures, and to meet life's challenges.

But who cares about his pro-children speech? His defense of Bishop Barros overrode all the good things he said. The best thing to do for children is to not permit them to be abused.

As I have said before, credibility is hard to get and easy to lose. What a shame.