Did Priest Break Seal Of Confession?

National Catholic Register ^ | 4/22/10 | Patrick Archbold

[marcbold]

In all the media hype surrounding the sex abuse scandal, haters of the Church have wondered if that scandal could destroy the Church and the priesthood. The short answer is no, but a scandal like this one could. (Not destroy permanently, of course. Nothing could do that.)

Father David Verhasselt, a priest in the parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in the diocese of Milwaukee, has been placed on administrative leave because he is under investigation for breaking the seal of confession.

The charge is so serious that Archbishop Jerome Listecki has even barred Fr. Verhasselt from visiting the church.

According to local news in Milwaukee ...

[ArrogantBustard]

No, I didn't miss it.

So you spoke falsely.

Again.

Try to quit that; it really reflects badly on you and on every institution or entity of which you claim membership (past or present).

What you, sir, seem to have missed is the big picture.

Hmmmm ... a guy who sexually abuses boys (whether teenage or preteen) is ....

wait for it ...

A HOMOSEXUAL!!!

Do you get that? Do you understand that males who seek out males for sex (whether consensual or not) are HOMOSEXUAL?

Well?

Do you?

Do you have even the slightest inkling of comprehension that when the vast overwhelming majority of an institutional sex abuse problem is HOMOSEXUAL, those who are interested in solving the problem will seek to remove HOMOSEXUAL people from positions of authority?

Covering up the HOMOSEXUAL nature of the sex abuse problem, which you seem to be doing, is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

[TSgt]

Well, for one thing, the morally upright leadership of the Catholic Church (and the Boy Scouts, the LDS, and other churches and especially groups who work with youth), are convinced that people with a homosexual tendency or orientation should be completely excluded from leadership; and that any homosexual acts whatsoever are morally disordered. Meanwhile, as you have surely noticed, there's a Gay Movement out there, more influential and politically powerful every day, that insists that gay sex is fine and groups which strive to exclude gays from leadership are discriminatory and kids should be encouraged to explore and affirm their sexuality.

Morally upright leadership? Like Cardinal Law?

So you want pedophiles but not homosexuals to serve as clergy?

Mrs. Don-o, there is no need for a distinction if you are following "cannon law" or just plain good old fashioned morality.

It sickens me to think of how many children could have been saved if as much energy as has been expended here protecting the RCC could have been spent on protecting them.

One of those children was my mother. So don't talk to me about homosexuals vs. pedophiles. I know the difference.

[TSgt]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2498202/posts?page=142#142

[ArrogantBustard]

One of those children was my mother.

I begin to understand the problem. I think you're missing the forest for the trees. One tree in particular. Those of us who actually want to end the problem need to see the whole forest.

So don't talk to me about homosexuals vs. pedophiles.

Don't presume to dictate what other folks can talk about.

Whether you like it or not, whether you are capable of understanding it or not, the overwhelmingly vast majority of cases of sexual abuse committed by priests were cases of HOMOSEXUAL abuse. That you have been personally affected by a case of heterosexual pedophilia doesn't change that fact.

Those of us who wish to actually solve the problem look at ALL the facts, not just those which affect us personally.

[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

You were the one that brought it up. So, you still have not refuted that you condone date rape?

[ArrogantBustard]

So you want pedophiles but not homosexuals to serve as clergy?

That sort of accusation-within-a-question really discredits you and any entity or organisation with which you claim association (past or present).

Cut it out.

[TSgt]

How wrong you are...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2498202/posts?page=66#66

[TSgt]

Yeah, I’m sure my experience is unique.

Some religion you got there...

[ArrogantBustard]

Yeah ... we hold all forms of sexual abuse to be grave sins.

Did you know that?

Hmmm?

Meanwhile, the militant faggots claim that their perversions are good.

You appear to be on the side of the militant faggots.

Some religion you got there ...

[Mrs. Don-o]

Morally upright leadership?

No, TSgt, you know I wouldn't name Cardinal Law as a role model. That's why I chose the words 'morally upright leadership' --- to specify the kind of leadership which understands that men with disordered sexuality are unsuitable for ordination.

The actual Instruction on this is here (Link). If you're at all interested.

So you want pedophiles but not homosexuals to serve as clergy?

No. Neither is suitable. Read the Instruction (Link). What we need is men who are manifestly able and willing to live and teach Catholic faith and morals in the fullest sense.

[TSgt]

You appear to be on the side of the militant faggots.

Say what you want, I'm not protecting child rapists.

[TSgt]

So why is Cardinal Law still serving?

[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

Why can you not just answer the question? Do you condone the date rape that was covered up at the USAF academy? It is a simple question.

[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

Are you going to ask me to compare comic book or baseball card collections next? Grow up.
You may consider your military service like a comic book or baseball card collection but mine was much more. Stop being such a hypocrite.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"So why is Cardinal Law still serving?"

I find that disturbing. I know there was no criminal indictment of Cardinal Law, so he's not a fugitive from the U.S. justice system; but there was a lot of evidence that he transfered known molesters repeatedly, where they continued their predatory abuse.

Law testified that he relied on the advice of psychiatrists and therapists as to the abusive priests being emotionally sick men who had, over time, responded to treatment and were no longer a danger. But that would have been a big part of the problem: relying on secular mental health experts and not applying the concept of "grave moral offense," that is, sin, which should have resulted in barring the abusers permanently from functioning as priests.

It's something we hashed out here, at #106 --- the mistake of relying on the therapeutic approach of psychologists rather than applying the penalties of secular and canon law.

Why did "Law" approach the awful situation from the standpoint of "treatment" rather than "law"? However good his intentions may have been, the results were catastrophic, and the painful repercussions will go on for years to come.

I am troubled that he is still Archpriest at Sta. Maria Maggiore. A sinner myself, I need examples of penitence; so for his own soul's salvation and as an example to others like myself, in my opinion, he should be in some Capuchin monastery contemplating the coming Judgment.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

If you look for the homepage of MikeWUSAF, you are directed to Tsgt's homepage.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

‘Harvey Milk should be shot dead.’

He was.

[TSgt]

Do you condone the date rape that was covered up at the USAF academy? It is a simple question.

Of course I'm against it but it has no bearing on this argument other than to discredit my service.

Let's stay on topic shall we?

[TSgt]

You may consider your military service like a comic book or baseball card collection but mine was much more. Stop being such a hypocrite.

You really don't get it do you? Do your parents know you are using their computer?

[Gamecock]

Could it be that I’m discharged? Retired?

Day Off? On Pass? On Leave?