The Vatican is currently claiming that its bishops are not employees. Does this mean that they are independent contractors; free to ordain female priests; free to endorse the pill; free to endorse the use of condoms to prevent the spread of aids? I rather doubt it.
It is silly to think of the bishops as independent contractors. They are appointed by the Vatican. I am sure they are carefully vetted as to their positions to be sure they are quite simpatico with the Vatican. Further, they are the group from which cardinals are selected; likely in no small part because of their now tested conformity to the Vatican policy line. The Vatican does not pay their salary, it is true. But if the bishop thought he was worth at least twice as much as any other bishop, true or not, could he adjust his pay? The Vatican certainly would not let it happen.
How does the Vatican divorce, oops, separate itself from its bishops? Are we to believe that there is a moral difference, if the bishop’s actions or non-actions are based on their employment status? What does it mean that the Vatican is seeking to shield itself from any effects from the pedophile priest problem, while publicly trying to give the image of acknowledging and atoning for its responsibility in the matter? Is this what they teach in the confessional, that responsibility is conditional?
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