On the editorial page of today's Star Tribune newspaper, John Nienstedt, head of the Catholic Church's local subsidiary, criticizes this editorial cartoon in a letter:
I respect and appreciate the role the Star Tribune plays in fostering dialog on the important issues of our day. While we've not always held the same opinions or seen these issues through the same lens, I know that the publishers and editors of the paper are good people who, like me, work hard to fulfill their mission with dedication and integrity.
So it's with a heavy heart that I write to express my sadness at the depiction of the Catholic Church in Steve Sack's April 30 editorial cartoon. We welcome the dialog about these important issues, but the depiction crossed the line. Let us address our differences with courtesy, care and compassion. It's only then that we may find some common ground and understanding.
That's the whole letter. Did the editors edit out Nienstedt's argument? Since Jesus was silent about homosexuality and same-sex marriage, the crossed line is not the one dividing truth from falsehood. What line was crossed? And why is the archbishop so coy about naming it in a letter that purports to complain about it?
Here is a theory. There is a line separating the robed old men at the top of the Catholic Church hierarchy from the rest of the human race. Criticism may cross this line, but only if it's headed in one direction--from them, at the rest of us. The cartoonist was headed north on a south-bound one-way.
The invaluable Garry Wills has more on the general topic.
