It happens when you allow a cult of authority to intimidate people’s consciences and judgment. And that is precisely the model that John Paul II and Benedict XVI have encouraged in the Church. A reader finds this classic statement of the problem from the founder of an Institute for the Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia. It is eight years’ old, as the abuse accusations began to mount:
"I too have known Fr. Maciel for a number of years and rarely have I met anyone with a more sound psychology. The behaviors that he has been accused of can only be the result of severe psychopathology. People suffering from these pathologies cannot "fool" others consistently, year after year. Sooner or later, the pathology gets out of control, and ends up in a disaster. Fr. Maciel, after many years of dedicated service and sacrifice, has continued to give more and more to the Church, and maintained an extremely fruitful life. This is psychologically inconsistent with a severe pathology.
Also hundreds and hundreds of holy priests have followed his leadership and example. A person with a severe pathology may be able to "fool" a few dozen people, for a few years, but certainly not countless intelligent and balanced Legionaries that have dedicated their life to the Church, for nearly 60 years. Among the many supporters of Fr. Maciel, is our Holy Father, who certainly is very wise and most learned about the psychology of people."
This was Neuhaus’ position. Trust the Pope. Ignore the press. And shut down your questions. It may be good for restoring some fragile sense of coherence and order in the short term. But in the long term, this mentality destroys the very institutions it is supposed to defend.
The Dish 