Here’s an unusually perceptive article on the fifth anniversary of Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s installation as archbishop of Boston, something that I would consider, in the wake of Cardinal Law’s departure, an almost impossible job. Michael Paulson at the Boston Globe does his usual fine job of laying out the complexities of the situation, and highlights O’Malley’s change over the last five years. Paulson also gives space to both supporters and critics. I’m curious to hear what people in Boston think about the piece.
Here’s Mayor Menino with the walk-away quote, "In the beginning, I was very concerned about what he was doing - he wasn’t calling, and the people around him thought they could do anything because they were the church," Menino said. "But he has grown more into the job than people expected. He’s more willing to listen, to sit down with different groups in the city, and he’s telling people what he’s going to do before it happens. We don’t always agree, but we have conversation - it’s my religion, it’s his religion, and we want to make the city work."
James Martin, SJ