With the help of an archdiocesan handler, Archbishop John Nienstedt attempts, in the above interview, to parry a pretty tough line of questioning from a Twin Cities television reporter. It's obvious he had some talking points prepared for the first question, concerning whether or not he should resign, but as the interview wears on . . . well, you can judge for yourself. Two things that seem particularly striking to me:
1. The archbishop is unable to make anything resembling a coherent case against same-sex marriage. He says that sex is for marriage, that marriage is for heterosexuals, and that therefore homosexuals must be chaste. The reporter, who is gay, asks: "But why should I have to live the life of a priest?" The response involves redrawing the circle of illogic. It is so, because it is what the church teaches. If it is indeed "what the church teaches," it seems there should be some underlying reasons, but, if there are, they must be beyond the archbishop's ken. The reporter seems surprised that Nienstedt doesn't have a better answer. "Anything you'd like to clarify?" he asks. Time for another circle.
2. The question about whether Jennifer Hasselberger wouldn't be a good candidate for serving as the archdiocesan "point person" on clergy misconduct is close to a taunt. "She certainly seems to know where the files are!" chortles the reporter. Nienstedt, looking wan, agrees that she does. The video raises, however indirectly, the question of the role of women in the church. On a couple of occasions, when Nienstedt is floundering badly, his handler, a woman, interrupts to throw him a lifeline. It isn't apparent that, were the roles reversed, she would have needed, or could have received, any help from him.
But, of course, the roles can't be reversed. She doesn't look enough like Jesus.
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As long as I'm pasting in videos, here's Robin Williams on the same general topic. His laugh line--"it's not just a sin, it's a felony"--reminds us that the church could learn some things from the dreaded secularists who work for the government in law enforcement.
