This week has brought us all into close contact with human suffering. We are all like the man on the side of the road in the story of the Good Samaritan, beaten and bloody.

We Jesuits hold Peter Claver up and hide behind him.

Jesus did not choose Peter because of his righteousness and courage. He chose Peter because he was imperfect, complicated, a sinner.

Life is just a very terrible thing at times, and Christ knew it and we know it and the church seems to know it. The church is something that deals, quite unflinchingly, in reality.

A number of the cardinal’s public statements on the liturgy and other topics reflected a pre-Vatican II traditionalist outlook that at times openly contrasted with the direction given by Pope Francis.

It is morally irresponsible for churches to invite people to worship and receive the sacraments without taking all effective steps to minimize risk.