Celebrate Movement in the Right Direction.

This is the kind of thing I've always wanted to see, but never thought I would.

Robert Sungenis - a very strong Catholic apologist - has for years been veering into fever swamp territory in the statements his ministry - Catholic Apologetics International - have been making about Judaism.

It appears that his bishop has taken him to task, which is surprising. Even more surprising, Sungenis is abiding his bishop's directions like a good Catholic should. Sungenis writes:

The issue of how CAI has been communicating its concerns about the Jews was recently brought to our attention by the bishop of the diocese in which CAI is located, the Very Reverend, Kevin C. Rhoades of Harrisburg, PA. In a personal letter he wrote to me, and in a follow up meeting I recently had with his vicar general, the Very Reverend William J. King, JCD, along with the executive director for ecumenical and inter-

religious affairs of the USCCB, the Reverend James Massa, the shepherds God has placed as overseers of my life and work have asked me to reconsider the tone and content with which I write about the Jewish people for CAI. They provided me various examples in which I have crossed the line into inappropriate language and accusations, and I communicated to them my agreement with their overall assessment.
Since I am a faithful son of the Catholic Church, I take their wisdom and counsel with the utmost seriousness and consider their direction as if it was from God himself. I consider it an honor not only to be a member of the Catholic Church but also to be under the vigilance of such wise and caring pastors. In short, I consider it a privilege to obey them.

Candidly, I question CAI's "qualified opinions" - or at least they make me really, really uncomfortable - but as an example of a bishop becoming involved in ramping down anti-semitism, and someone being open to pastoral direction, it is a good sign.