O'Malley Forces Resignation of CEO, Finally

Cardinal O'Malley is beset once again with problems. At least this time isn't not the clergy. The President of Caritas Cristi, the hospital system, is a serial sexual harasser. The Cardinal's first instinct was a slap on the wrist and the pervert keeps his job. Maybe it was hoped that this would keep the story out of the press and demoralize any accusers, thereby discouraging them from bringing a lawsuit. When the head of Human Resources got wind of it her dismay provided the perfect angle for the Boston Globe. "The Cardinal hates women" second only in popularity to "The Cardinal protects sex abusers".

The whole article can be read here. Faced with protests and negative publicity the Cardinal changed course and the Haddad resigned taking 10 months severance.

This case illustrates the difference between men and women and how they make decisions and how pressure is being brought to bear on O'Malley to make decisions the way women do. Women make decisions by consensus. We like to poll our trusted friends and relatives and form a judgment based on what we hear. Men (traditionally) make decisions unilaterally. It's called leadership. I will be the first to point out that the decisions they make are not always infallible but it doesn't matter. If they mean well and are honorable they will be effective and the results will be good. This inspires trust.

But feminists don't want that- male leadership. That is, to them, anathema. So the pressure has been brought to bear on O'Malley before- everytime he has caved in-
1. When he attempted to continue the practice of washing the feet of men on Holy Thursday. A little pressure was brought to bear and he capitulated.
2. When Feminism was called an evil- he was denounced. He acquiesced and then apologized.
3. The latest firing decision. And while I support the decision to fire Haddad, it is a dangerous pattern to go with public opinion especially when it really isn't the public opinion as much as that opinion which the press is manufacturing.

It is disconcerting to find that public opinion, a desire to avoid future lawsuits and pandering to women are the criteria that are shaping O'Malley's leadership. O'Malley strives for humility in keeping with his Franciscan charism. But someone needs to explain to him that humility is not the absence of leadership.