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I just had a look at the "open letter" by Hans Kung that Michael P. posted for us.  Although I've never been an admirer of Fr. Kung's work, he is plainly an intelligent and learned man.  This piece, however, which presents itself as a bill of indictment against Pope Benedict XVI, shows Kung at his worst---sloppy, tendentious, dishonest, and veering towards the abusive.  (If anyone doubts what I am saying about Kung's dishonesty in the letter, just have a look at his all-but-explicit claim that the Pope has refused to accept "stem cell research."  Kung knows better than that.  He is not ignorant.  He knows that the Pope has embraced and encouraged all forms of stem cell research that do not require the kiling of embryonic human beings.  That is the vast majority of stem cell research that is being conducted across the globe.)  The Church is indeed in a credibility crisis.  And its credibility has been undermined in significant ways by statements and actions of ecclesiastical leaders.  That is a truth that needs to be spoken out loud.  No one who speaks the truth, even hard truths, about the failings of those who lead and govern the Church should be criticized or shunned for speaking it.  Whether they are on the "right" or the "left," when they speak in a spirit of fairness and goodwill, they serve the Church and deserve our gratitude.  But Hans Kung is not helping.  His own credibility is undermined by his sloppiness, tendentiousness, and dishonesty.  I do not have a way of reaching him, but if anybody on our blog is in touch with him, please feel free to pass this post along to him.  If he is interested in a published exchange with a critic on the credibility of his criticisms of the Pope, I would be happy to engage him. He has made serious allegations, many of which I believe to be way out of line. I hope he would be willing to have the validity of his claims tested in an appropriate forum of debate.   

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