With humility and leadership, Boston's new archbishop has furthered the healing process for victims--and the Church.
By Steven Waldman, Beliefnet Editor-in-Chief
The leading vote-getters in our advisory poll for the Most Inspiring Person-V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop, and President Bush-were also the two most controversial figures on our list. There are some similarities between them. Each inspires great passion, love, and hatred. Advocates for each man cited his courage and moral clarity-and added that the other guy was not merely mistaken but evil. Such is America as we begin 2004.
Archbishop O'Malley talks with Beliefnet about his reputation as "the fixer" & other issues.
Despite their many admirable qualities-and the large numbers of people clearly inspired by them-we decided not to choose either Bush or Robinson as the most inspiring person of 2003. While each man has shown the courage of his convictions-sparking both admiration and bitter dissent-we thirst this year for our Most Inspiring Person to be someone who unites.
We were deeply moved by the heroism of Capt. Zan Hornbuckle and Spc. Lori Piestewa, the extraordinary soldiers whom we chose to represent all of the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dr. Ben Carson, the neurosurgeon who separates conjoined twins and is devoted to educating kids from impoverished backgrounds like his own; and Susan Tom, a single mother who adopted 11 severely disabled children, remind us of how powerfully individual efforts can improve the lives of others. Teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack but has continued to surf, is a role model to those attempting to conquer personal fear and tragedy. Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Prize for her peace and human rights work in Iran, struck a blow not only for women and democracy, but for progressive Islam. And Pope John Paul II this year demonstrated not only adherence to principle but determination to age gracefully.
But in the end, we have made an unusual selection: Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston.
O'Malley arrived at an archdiocese in spiritual crisis. Under Cardinal Bernard Law's administration, the church's response to known sexual abuse in its ranks had become an Orwellian perversion of its mission. Church authorities not only enabled and covered up child abuse, but made matters far worse by treating victims with hostility. In too many dioceses around the country, the temptation to protect church finances pitted the bishops against the victims.
Photo Credits: Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office (Spc. Lori Piestewa), Fort Stewart Public Affairs Office (Capt. Zan Hornbuckle), Bethany Hamilton Support Website (Bethany Hamilton), Whitehouse.gov (President George W. Bush), Capuchin Province of St. Augustine (Archbishop Sean O'Malley), Johns Hopkins Children's Center (Dr. Ben Carson), Iranian Children's Rights Society (Shirin Ebadi), Chaiken Films (Susan Tom), New Hampshire Episcopal Diocese (Bishop V. Gene Robinson).
