It is said that the Catholic Church moves in centuries. We also frequently hear of people getting no response from Rome, be they theologians under a cloud, victims of sexual abuse, or anyone else daring to say something critical. How does this square with Jesus’ respectful way of operating? He addressed people’s issues right there and then.

Protecting the status quo, changing nothing, risking nothing, shows a Church ruled by fearful men, not trusting the Spirit to see that things will turn out all right. We must be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. We and the Church are not God.

In her explanation for leaving the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Marie Collins has summed up the whole Church, not only as it relates to sexual abuse. My only criticism is that she has let Pope Francis off too lightly. The Catholic Church, as represented by Rome since an earlier handful of fearful, powerful men sabotaged Vatican II, is a whited sepulchre, a centre of power and control. It ill serves all those Christians worldwide who attempt to walk humbly in Jesus’ footsteps, often with impressive results for all the sick, hungry, homeless, imprisoned whom we are called to serve.