Excessive Force

Frank Reagan: How do I defend against a man without offending his flock? Without insulting their faith?

Cardinal Brennan: May I quote scripture?

Frank Reagan: Not unless you want to put me to sleep.

Cardinal Brennan: From the book of John, even if a brother has done us wrong, we will not want to injure that brother's credibility within the body.

Frank Reagan: What's the body?

Cardinal Brennan: The community.

Frank Reagan: And how do you get that done?

Cardinal Brennan: By delivering your complaint in private with the respect of discretion.

Frank Reagan: Does scripture give an example?

Cardinal Brennan: Yes. From the book of The Godfather Part II.

[When Frank smiles, the Archdiocese holds up his hand]

Cardinal Brennan: No. When Michael confronts Fredo about his treachery, he says, "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart." He delivers his accusation right into Fredo's ear. It's just between the two of them. Despite Michael's anger, he hides it from their community so that the community might preserve.