Pope willing to excommunicate Catholic Priests accused of pedophilia, turn them over to authorities

examiner.com ^ | April 1, 2010 | Réne Girard

[RGirard]

In a surprising, yet reassuring turn of events, Pope Benedict XIV, the head of the Catholic Church has announced that he is willing to excommunicate any and all Catholic Priests who have been rightfully accused of pedophilia while in service to the Catholic Church.

"It is my sworn duty to uphold the tenants of the faith which rest securely on the never changing, holy scripture, which speaks succinctly, yet passionately, against sexual sin within the body of Christ." Pope Benedict wrote in a letter addressed to "Fellow Catholics, Christians, and citizens of this great planet." ...

[TSgt]

I mean.....what would you do with yourself?!............LOL!

Yeah, raping children is a hoot huh?

[marshmallow]

Here's a couple of excellent threads which I just know you will enjoy. Let me ensure you in advance that they are rational, reasonable and above all balanced and even-handed.

Just like your posts.

The Pope and the Abuse Scandal: a Guide for Perplexed Catholics

The Dictatorship of Relativism Strikes Back-and Goes Nuclear

[Antoninus]

Other folks seem quite comfortable in such company. I wonder: why?

I can think of a few reasons. The people driving this story are the homosexuals in the media and the usual suspect anti-Catholic bigots. Personally, I wouldn't want to be associated with either party.

[Campion]

So the Pope will continue to shelter them.

Where and how is the Pope "sheltering" child molesters?

[TSgt]

It is Holy Week. I encourage you to repent and stop spreading lies and slander.

"Holy week?" "Lies and slander?" Surely you jest?

[Antoninus]

This is the Vatican's 9/11 and yet it refuses to acknowledge the big smoking hole in the ground that was once its credibility.

Wishful thinking on your part, Junior. 100 years from now, the Catholic Church will be bigger and even more influential than it is today.

Where will you be?

[TSgt]

Where and how is the Pope "sheltering" child molesters?

Ratzinger's inaction = sheltering.

[TSgt]

Wishful thinking on your part, Junior. 100 years from now, the Catholic Church will be bigger and even more influential than it is today.

See, that's where you are wrong. Unfortunately Islam will eclipse all Christian faiths due to organic growth, and scandals like this, which result in a great falling away.

Catholics leave in record numbers
http://www.theage.com.au/world/catholics-leave-in-record-numbers-20100325-qzsm.html

[Secret Agent Man]

Thanks for the heads up. Gonna be a long day today.

[little jeremiah]

Sheesh - your hatred of Catholicism is really transparent and even as a non-Catholic (but great admirer) I find it disugsting!

[marshmallow]

Yeah, raping children is a hoot huh?

As the lies which have spread been about the Pope are progressively exposed, you're becoming progressively unhinged.

I long ago decided that serious discussion with you was futile. The only serious riposte to hyperbole like yours is humor.

What hits me in all this is how the various church officials who actually know the facts are admitting past mistakes, apologizing for wrong doing, but also laying the facts out very simply and reasonably, while the enemies of the church couldn't care less about the truth and are wild eyed with rage and indignation. This is apparent in comments like yours.

Someone will explain very clearly what is going on, and still we hear, "Those sort of explanations are even more of a cover up!" Or the Church officials very courteously apologize and admit the mistake or even publicly beg for forgiveness and the critics say, "That is not enough to satisfy us."

So I'm only a "child rapist"? I'm surprised you didn't accuse me of eating them, too.

[little jeremiah]

His history shows clearly his hateful bias.

[little jeremiah]

Ping later today!

[TSgt]

I find child rape disgusting!

[little jeremiah]

Is this a fake April Fools story, then?

[TSgt]

It’s amazing for all it’s moral posturing on issues like birth control, gay marriage, etc the Catholic church leadership in the Vatican simply cannot seem to take a hard-line, zero tolerance stance on this issue.

[Let's Roll]

“Accused”? What is this, more “it’s not the nature of the evidence, but the seriousness of the charges”?

I would like to wait for conviction before seeing someone driven from the church. Some are guilty but many are not. ‘Victims’ looking for a payoff has become a cottage industry. And, naturally, the lsm is all over this.

[Campion]

Ratzinger's inaction = sheltering

Sorry, but that's a false definition.

And it's doubly false, because he's done more about the problem than any other individual.

[oneolcop]

I'n not religious. I don't belong to any church, haven't been in a church in years. But, having studied religions for my own edification, I have come to the conclusion that the Catholic church is caught in a conundrum: On one hand, it is a church/religion that has as one of its foundation stones the acceptance of forgiveness. On another hand, it has a problem with pedophiles within its structure. On yet another hand, it has that thing about priests being bound by their tenets not to expose the confessed sins of anyone who comes to them and tells them about a wrong.

How does one reconcile these seemingly opposing values?

[RGirard]

There is a difference in confessed sins and exposed sins. As mentioned in the article, Catholics like everyone else should be subject to the laws of the land. They are there to serve others, not sexually abuse them.