This is the June 13th issue of "The Window: A Catholic Look at Society, Culture and Politics", a missive written by Deal Hudson and published by the Morley Institute for Church & Culture.
Deal W. Hudson
In This Issue:
Does the New Vatican Watchdog Have Any Teeth?
Many Vatican watchers were surprised when Benedict XVI chose Archbishop William J. Levada as his successor at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Some negative reaction was to be expected. Levada does not have a positive profile among some Catholic groups. But after looking more closely at his career, I have found reasons to be hopeful about the appointment.
Even a cursory look at Levada's career reveals three prerequisites necessary for his selection -- a relationship with then Cardinal Ratzinger and the CDF, an incisive theological intelligence, and a willingness to affirm doctrinal fidelity in the face of conflict.
Surprised? I don't blame you. California Catholicism doesn't have a great reputation for either fidelity or courage in tackling controversial issues.
One California Catholic who does have that reputation is Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., the founder of the St. Ignatius Press. Fessio who has spent most of his career in San Francisco, has said publicly, "I can't imagine that Pope Benedict XVI would have appointed someone to succeed him at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith who is not in line with his own policies."
