It is interesting that more than a century ago, Rome was leery of an Americanist heresy, which was not about modern foreign policy but about the fear that our democratic habits would affect how the bishops dealt with the moral issues of the time. The bishops went to great pains to disabuse the Pope of that notion. Perhaps, in light of current events, they were not so wrong. Indeed, the USCCB probably has its roots in answering Rome's suspicions.
As an Argentinian, the Pope likely knows full well about the cultural dominance of America on modern culture, especially the export of both our capitalism and our media - how it evolved from sheltering the Church from criticism to being its chief critic. More importantly, he has to have noticed the fissures in the American episcopate, as they include the strongest dissidents against his papacy and against the government taking real action to help the poor. Caritas meets in Rome and I am sure the Pope is interested and that Catholic Charities USA likely shares how some bishops hinder their response to poverty through their Republicanism. The nuns on the bus likely underline that view, as well as their action to oppose health care reform and their petty response to the sisters who broke with their opposition. The BBC does a very good job of covering the world, especially the United States. It may be more trustworthy than the American corporate media.
The fact that the proposals presented in Baltimore were a compromise with some of the bishops and resulted in what must be characterized as weak tea was not lost on the Holy Father, who was likely informed of these by the Nuncio and some American Cardinals (both Cardinal Sean and Cardinal Blaise, both of whom are close advisors to Pope Francis). That many nations would follow the American example is a justified fear. The cravenness of the worldwide hierarchy is not just an American phenomenon. Rather than let them do an end run around his authority, he is taking control over the conversation.
He is justified in doing so, which is better for the cause of the victims, who thrive on this as an unresolved issue. An action in Rome that ends debate is not good for those who have made continuing victimhood their life's mission. They do not like to be told that forgiveness is the only thing that will solve their continuing attempts to keep themselves in the center of the conversation, especially when they are so good at doing so. At least they have taken abortion off the table.
I suspect that Cardinal Cupich has proposals for change that are much stronger than those he made to his audience in Baltimore. Additionally, this Pope likely believes that cultura. change is not enough to resolve this issue. I expect organizational changes from the coming gathering. I am quite sure that the American conservatives will not like the results coming out of this meeting, nor the Church advocating that Rome not be exempt from the responsibility for its part in the scandal. Francis lives simply. For such a priest, being surrounded by masterpieces that could be sold to compensate victims and make diocese whole would be an abomination. so the Curia will not be happy with the result either. Those who do not expect such things are suffering a failure of imagination. Wake up!
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