Pardon me if I seem fuzzy - I am at home with pneumonia.
Saw "Vatican is said to force Jesuit off magazine" in the NY Times and got to thinking about "silencing" of people, their thoughts, feelings, and deeds. Which makes sense since I also have just read Bold Spirit , which is a poignant story about one Victorian woman's epic struggle and the "silencing" by her community and family that went on.
Free exchange of ideas whether or no they agree with the party line is critical to the health of community. Or is it? Helga chose to live with being silenced for the sake of holding together her family and community. The NYT article describes the increasing discomfort and controlling attempts by then-Cardinal R to the articles published in America- characterized as "loyal opposition." And ends with this statement: "A church that cannot openly discuss issues is a church retreating into an intellectual ghetto."