2477. “Respect for the reputation of persons forbids
every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury.[Cf. CIC, can. 220.]
He becomes guilty: – of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true,
without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor; – of detraction
who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings
to persons who did not know them;[Cf. Sir 21:28 .] – of calumny who, by remarks
contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for
false judgments concerning them.” –Catechism of the Catholic Church
I usually try to avoid Cardinal-cussing and Bishop-bashing but this releasing
of the list by Cardinal Keeler is imprudent at the least and is probably
detraction. I know it is difficult to ensure that Catholic truth is taught in
the schools, seminaries and universities and to guide the flock that you are
responsible for, but it seems rather Clintonesque to just release a list of
people who have been accused without a full investigation of the facts. So here
is a song I made up to release my anger a bit.
(Sung to the words “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”)
Even if your dead, or you are laicized
Your good reputation is about to
die
Cardinal Keeler is coming to town
He’s making a list and not checking it twice
Gonna print out who’s
allegedly naughty with vice
Cardinal Keeler is coming to town
He detracts you when you’re sleeping
He calumniates when you’re
awake
He doesn’t know if you’ve been bad or good
But to appease for the
medias sake
Oh! You better watch out, you better pray
That prudence might come the
Cardinals way
Cardinal Keeler is coming to town
