Phil Lawler on why the Pope not coming to Boston was a good thing

Phil Lawler, my former boss and author of the new book “The Faithful Departed”, comments on the interesting spate of outrage among angry Catholics and media pundits in Boston that Pope Benedict didn’t put the city on his itinerary. I know we sometimes call it the “Hub of the Universe,” but I think some people are taking it too seriously.

First, people are angry that the Holy Father isn’t coming to Boston. Not just disappointed: outraged! They feel that he should have come to Boston, because he could… he could… he could…

Well, what could he have done to calm this anger? I can’t think of anything that he could say or do that would ease the sense of betrayal, frustration, and disillusion that so many people feel. One more apology? One more acknowledgment that Bad Things happened? That wouldn’t heal the wounds; that would only confirm what we already know too well.

Incidentally, Phil has set up this new blog to continue the conversation about topics brought up in his book as well as in various media appearances.