Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Interview with Joseph Galante

Aired April 22, 2002 - 08:14   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: The "Big Question" at this hour -- can priests really be perfect? Just yesterday, Pope John Paul II said they should be. As we've been reporting, American cardinals are already arriving in Rome for tomorrow's Vatican meeting with the pope to take up the issue of sexual abuse of children by priests. The meeting may cover several controversial issues such as celibacy, gay candidates for the priesthood, and the role of women in the church. Here to tell us more about what might take place in Rome is Bishop Joseph Galante. He joins us this morning from Dallas, Texas.

Good to have you back. Welcome.

JOSEPH GALANTE, BISHOP, DALLAS TEXAS: Good morning. Thank you, Paula. Nice to be back.

ZAHN: Thank you. So Bishop Galante, what did you take away from what the pope had to say yesterday about this idea that Jesus was perfect and the pope expected the priests to be perfect as well?

GALANTE: Well, certainly, I think what the pope is doing is setting the bar. That's not unusual.

There has always been the ascetical call for priests to, as far as humanly possible, to try to conform themselves to Jesus. Now, does that mean everybody's going to be successful in being perfect? No, but it does mean that all of us need -- all of us priests, need to continue to look at our lives and measure it not against other priests or other people, but always against Jesus.

ZAHN: And even you yourself conceded in an interview I did with you last week that you didn't even think celibacy was the biggest issue here. You never thought that the Vatican seriously seriously took an issue of the -- what you described as the isolation that cardinals and bishops and priests endure during their life.

GALANTE: Yes, and I agree. Celibacy is not the major issue. I have said a number of times it is how we live it, how we view it, the fact that it is something positive, and it's a way of relating to others, of loving others. That's very important for us. And in our culture, it's hard to see that sometimes.

ZAHN: Bishop Galante, I wanted to read something to you that appeared in yesterday's "Washington Post," and it was written by a theology professor from Notre Dame, Father Richard McBrien. And he says, "John Paul has been in office for 23 years, and unlike previous popes, he has much too infrequently appointed bishops who represent a view different from his own. Some of the best qualified men were never picked as bishops precisely because they are open-minded, creative, imaginative, while the Vatican wants followers who will stick to the company policy uncritically. The very priests who would be the best qualified leaders to face a crisis of this dimension are sitting on the sidelines, while the ones who are the least qualified to lead the Church at this time have the positions of power."

Is this fair?

GALANTE: I don't think so. Bishop -- Father McBrien has been a well known critic of the bishops over a period of time. There is some substance at times. But, the fact of the matter is, that bishops are chosen through a very long process of scrutiny. And -- as well as many, many people being involved in the consultation for different candidates. I think there are a number of very creative bishops in the church in the United States.

ZAHN: As you know, Cardinal Law made what some described as an apology of sorts again yesterday to his parishioners. At the same time, there's word in the "Los Angeles Times" that two American cardinals will ask the Vatican to force Cardinal Law's resignation. Where do you see that push going?

GALANTE: I don't believe that the Vatican will force his resignation. As I have said before, I think the assessment on Cardinal Law's ability to lead the Archdiocese of Boston will be made, not just by Cardinal Law unilaterally, but in conjunction with the priests of Boston, with the people, and in consultation with others, with his peers, some of the other bishops and cardinals.

ZAHN: Some of his peers have already stated publicly that they don't think he has the moral authority to lead. They say, after all, he was the man that made it possible for priests who had been accused of sex abuse to be shuffled from parish to parish. What do you think?

GALANTE: Well, I think, very honestly, that there is going to be a difference of opinion among the cardinals. I think, talking privately, it's kind of unusual to see something in the papers that people are saying -- his peers are saying he should step down. I think privately there probably will be some very serious, serious discussions, not so much with the Vatican officials, but around that issue among the cardinals, and the American bishops themselves.

ZAHN: So what do you see happening with Cardinal Law? Do you think he'll be forced out?

GALANTE: I hesitate to say. Because he, of course, has gone on record a number of times of saying he intends to stay. I don't know who will persuade him otherwise, or how he will be persuaded. I think one of the elements that's going to be present in this is, because of the widespread particular media criticism of him, I think there's going to be a hesitancy for some -- for others to say, look, you can't do this now because then we're going to wind up having popular force- outs of bishops and others who head dioceses. I do think there will be serious consideration to the -- not only his effectiveness in leadership, but all of our effectiveness in leadership. We all have to do a serious examination of conscience, all of us bishops. Are we shepherds -- servant shepherds of our people, and not just CEOs?

ZAHN: A very good question to seed a debate. Maybe we'll have to use that as our "Big Question" of the day. Maybe tomorrow. Bishop Galante, as always, great to have you on the air with us.

GALANTE: OK. It is always great to be with you, Paula, thank you. Thank very much. Bye-bye.

ZAHN: Our pleasure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com