Two steps forward, one step

Two steps forward, one step back?

Archbishop of Boston Bernard Cardinal Law has decided to impose restrictions on meetings of the protest group VOTF, but has issued a split decision. His letter, announced Saturday, forbids any new groups from meeting in parish properties, whereas he permits existing groups to continue, and reverses the ban Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Allue imposed in one parish October 1. AP tells us:

''Given the present state of the group as a national organization, I decided it would be inappropriate for new chapters to use church property until I had received further information about the Voice of the Faithful,'' Law wrote in a letter made public Saturday.

However, Law has also reversed a decision to ban Voice of the Faithful from meeting at a church in North Andover, about 25 miles north of Boston.

The Archdiocese of Boston said it [sic] asking new chapters to not meet on church property while discussions continue with Voice of the Faithful leaders. But the group says those talks have stopped. [...]

While [VOTF interim executive director Steve] Krueger said there are no scheduled meetings between the archdiocese and VOTF, archdiocese spokeswoman Donna Morrissey said a dialogue with the chancery is continuing.

''Whether or not a meeting is scheduled I don't know,'' she said.

And to my amazement:

Law expressed regret for the ban in a letter to the Rev. Paul T. Keyes of St. Michael Parish in North Andover and has apologized, the pastor said.

I'm not sure he had anything to apologize for. (Should I demand that he apologize for having ap-- no, forget it.)