Mahony Deserves Gratitude, Not Ridicule

Re “Cardinal Is First-Class Pope Material,” column, April 6: Steve Lopez’s sarcastic article on Cardinal Roger Mahony exemplifies all that is despicable about liberal journalism.

The pope is dead, the cardinal flies to Rome with his aide, as is his duty. He is flying first class -- so what? He raised money to build a new cathedral in L.A. Congratulations are in order, not scorn. Lopez e-mails the aide, insulting him as he does so, and is amazed that he gets no response. The sex scandal is out in the open, the church’s reputation is damaged, millions of dollars are paid. Public apologies and jail time ensue. Bad? Yes. Biggest church scandal in modern history? No.

Lopez offers the pope faint praise for “conservative” views, i.e., views that have been doctrine for a thousand years. Never mind that the pope was against capital punishment and the Iraq war. Lopez and his ilk can’t wait to denigrate anything and anyone who doesn’t want to liberalize the church.

Would Jesus have flown first class? Even better, on a private jet, I’m betting. If only to keep away from real flacks like Lopez.

Bill Fallon

Newport Beach