Continuing the emphasis that Sean O’Malley is going to be a different kind of cardinal than the people of Boston are used to, the Boston Globe noted the low-key nature of pilgrimages to Rome this week for the consistory compared to those of his predecessor. The archdiocese did not organize a massive 1,000-person trip like it did for Cardinal Bernard Law back in 1984, instead small groups are going on their own, albeit with the help of the archdiocese which is getting them tickets and access. The groups include the Knights of Malta, Legatus, Catholics from his former diocese of Fall River, Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney (it gets him national exposure for his presidential campaign), the local Greek Orthodox metropolitan, and even just interested individuals.
Back in 1984, the archdiocese sponsored the trip, which meant it paid the bill. Such extravagance is not only not O’Malley’s style, it would go over like a lead balloon in this time of fiscal austerity and the closing of parishes and schools.
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I know about 10 people going to the Consistory. They are all faithful mass-attending Catholics, a few lectors, a few eucharistic ministers and many have never been to Rome. Most don’t have any role at the Archdiocese and some have never even met Archbishop Sean, but they admire his leadership. It’s a safe bet that they would likely have never “made the invite list” with Law or anyone else besides O’Malley. I think that is awesome that they have a chance to participate in the Consistory and then come and tell their accounts.
From what they’ve told me, the Archbishop’s office has been very helpful and enthusiastic that all of these “regular faithful Catholics” are coming to Rome for this event. They seem to be good representatives of all of us.
Hm? Did the AoB actually pay for 1000 people to go to Rome? I remember seeing ads for the trip in the Pilot in ‘84, so the Archdiocese can’t have been paying for everybody.