FutureChurch Backs Pilla on Scandal

For those unfamiliar with what's going on in Cleveland, some insist that news coming out of that diocese will be shocking and staggering as reported here. Far more than anything yet heard of.

And yet we have another article about Bishop Pilla called "The Bishop's Lawyer: A Test of Faith".

And in the confusion and apparent obfuscation in all of this we have FutureChurch coming to the aid of Bishop Pilla, primarily because it seems that they are fearful that if he happens to resign, the Diocese of Cleveland would be appointed a bishop not to their liking:

4. The last reason is admittedly self serving: Were Bishop Pilla to be forced out, we would be leaving ourselves open to a new bishop who would most likely be much more conservative and legalistic given the Bishop appointments that have been made in this papacy. The well-known litmus test for being appointed a bishop under John Paul II is that the person must be opposed to birth control, optional celibacy and women priests. I have this information directly from several bishops who are in positions to know. Bishop Pilla is one of the few remaining "pastoral" bishops who were appointed under Archbishop Jean Jadot. If he doesn't outlast the Pope we can expect to have our next Bishop be less open to lay participation in decision making than Bishop Pilla. It will be a given...and something we need to prepare for, IMHO. In any case, why rush things, I say?

This quote comes from Chris Schenk, Executive Director of FutureChurch. You can read all about it here.

For those who are unaware of this and other organizations, have a look here.