John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter perceives a
"quiet revolution" in the management style of the Vatican under the
leadership of Pope Benedict XVI.
He points to the Vatican's assertion of
control over Caritas International, and also the suppression of a
high-profile Cistercian abbey in Rome.
The suppression of the abbey, Allen notes, has been portrayed in the
press as a bizarre story, with lurid coverage featuring a "lap-dancing"
nun and partying by the monks.
The real story, he says, is somewhat more
complex and much more significant.
The abbey of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem had gained a great deal of
attention in Rome: hosting very popular events, drawing influential
guests, and producing plenty of revenue.
By most popular standards,
Allen notes, the abbey's work was successful, and the popular acclaim
usually drowned out the whispers of personal and financial
improprieties.
He continues:
Once upon a time, the working assumption in officialdom often was that if someone is doing great good for the church, then allegations of sexual or financial impropriety against them were likely bogus, and taking them too seriously risked encouraging the enemies of the faith.
Without great fanfare, Benedict XVI has made it clear that today a new rule applies. No matter how accomplished a person or institution may be, if they're also involved in what the pontiff once memorably called the "filth" in the church, they're not beyond reach.
It is interesting to note that both Allen and the French journalist Jean-Marie Guénois - both
seasoned observers, with years of experience at the Vatican - use the
word "revolution" to describe the impact of Pope Benedict's moves during
the past week.