Bishops 'run away' when Pope is attacked

Briefing. Let us hope that Archbishop Vincent Nichols makes a better stab at leading the Church in England and Wales.

From CFNews: The Easter editorial in Faith magazine, one of England's most respected Catholic publications, directs a powerful reproach at the Bishops of England and Wales for failing to support Pope Benedict XVI during his recent troubles. 

Faith compares 'cardinals and bishops' to the Apostles who ran away, hid or failed to speak up for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. 'There has been little attempt even in Catholic circles to give a public and sustained support of Pope Benedict throughout these difficulties. The fact that even Bishops and Cardinals have not just criticised the Pope but have also kept silence, giving him little support, speaks volumes about those august bodies. Many have sat back and watched; others have made statements reaffirming the Church's commitment to working with the other religions and with the Jews; but few have stood up and robustly supported the Pope at a time when he needed them. In Gethsemane too the Apostles ran away and hid, or at best looked on, when the Lord was taken prisoner. We are all weak - but it is a weakness and their silence has not been a virtue. There is a reason why Cardinals sport the colour of red and it is not on account of their own dignity'. [Telegraph]