The best response so far has come from the pages of the Globe and Mail. Columnist Margaret Wente presented a thoughtful, tightly argued and convincing argument that the potential demise of the church, were it to lose many more cases like the first one, would serve no one and would not see justice done. But eye hath not seen nor ear heard a similar response from the church. One reader called concerned that the silence implied lawyers had taken over leadership of the church. If lawyers are leading the church, it can only be because the church is letting them.
Lawyers give advice expert advice, but advice nonetheless.
The advice sought is not the solution to a problem but the legal implications of a proposed solution. Silence is not always bad. Bishop Jim Cruickshank of the Diocese of Cariboo is accepting legal advice not to speak about his diocese's predicament. The diocese is on the verge of bankruptcy. This is probably wise, especially as Bishop Cruickshank did the right thing early on by admitting the church made mistakes, publicly apologizing for harm caused.