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 ...

[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

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

Can you not see the parallel? You complain that I'm discrediting your service while you run around and discredit my faith. Are you that blind from your bigotry?

[TSgt]

Your Pope disagrees with you.

Responding to a question about sex abuse on his way to the United States in 2008, Pope Benedict appeared to make the point not to link it with homosexuality. “I will not speak at this moment about homosexuality,” he said. “This is another thing.” Benedict went on to say that pedophiles had to be excluded from sacred ministry: “It is absolutely incompatible, and whoever is really guilty of being a pedophile cannot be a priest.”

[TSgt]

Can you not see the parallel?

No, it's a personal attack, other FReepers agree. I don't recommend joining in unless you too want your reputation tarnished.

[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

No, it's a personal attack, other FReepers agree. I don't recommend joining in unless you too want your reputation tarnished.

Which other FReepers? I am glad you are warning them that bigoted attacks on the Catholic Church won't go unchallenged. You are the one that made it personnel I am just showing how it feels to be on the defensive.

[TSgt]

The Religion Moderator said knock it off.

I suggest you do the same.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2498703/posts?page=91#91

[Mrs. Don-o]

Responding to a question about sex abuse on his way to the United States in 2008, Pope Benedict appeared to make the point not to link it with homosexuality. "I will not speak at this moment about homosexuality," he said. "This is another thing." Benedict went on to say that pedophiles had to be excluded from sacred ministry: “It is absolutely incompatible, and whoever is really guilty of being a pedophile cannot be a priest."

TSgt, Pope Benedict specified that "at this moment" he was speaking, not about homosexuality, but about pedophilia. He specifically said that anbyone who is guilty of pedophilia cannot be a priest.

He has spoken at other times about homosexuality (the tendency or orientation, which means male-for-male attraction), about homosexuality (in the sense of homosexual acts, which means male-on-male acts), and about child abuse per se. And also, on the other hand, about the much bigger picture of the gift of holy celibacy, and the gift of holy marriage, and the rest of the things which are good and beautiful.

The fact tht he spoke of pedophilia "at this moment" means that "at this moment" he was not making a catalogue of every kind of crime and sin. He's not unaware that there are many kinds.

Your mother evidently suffered from abuse by a priest, which I didn't realize until rather late in this thread. This is a terrible thing. If this was made known to his religious superiors and to the police, he should have faced removal from all priestly functions and a criminal indictment.

[ArrogantBustard]

Say what you want,

I will. Always. It's (still) a (more or less) free country.

I'm not protecting child rapists.

Bully for you. I, on the other hand, am opposing BOTH child rapists AND militant queers. I'm not missing the forest for the trees.

[ArrogantBustard]

So ... the Pope was being quoted out of context.

Again.

Why am I not surprised.