Pope Francis Likens Child Abuse Victims to a 'Pack of Wild Dogs'

NN ^ | 09/04/18 | Jay Greenberg

[JonnyFive]

Following weeks of pressure for Pope Francis to respond to accusations that he played a role in the cover-up of a Catholic Church pedophile ring, the pontiff finally spoke up on the scandal by referring to the victims of abuse as a "pack of wild dogs."

During Mass at the Vatican’s Sanctae Marthae guesthouse, the Pope raised the issue by likening the latest child abuse scandal to a biblical story where Jesus is driven out of town by a pack of wild dogs.

[Louis Foxwell]

He likened the rabid crowds against Christ as wild dogs. The problem with his analogy is that Jesus is not a pedophile and those condemning homosexuality in the Church are not wild dogs.

[left that other site]

I am an avid student of the Bible. I have read the Gospels more times than I can count. There is NO story in the either the four Gospels OR the Book of Acts where Jesus is chased out of town by a pack of wild dogs. In the Epistles, which were written by the Apostles right after the events of the founding of the Church, there is no mention of an incident like this either.

Now while it may be possible that PF gleaned this story from some apocryphal writings, a Gnostic “Gospel”, or a tale from some early mystic or saint, I think he just made it up.

My heart aches for sincere, seeking, and kind-hearted Catholics who love the Lord and want to do the right thing. This whole debacle must be VERY painful. I know how bad I feel when someone or something I admire and believe in shows feet of clay (another Biblical reference see Daniel 2). We have LOTS of expressions, stories, and other cultural artifacts that come from Scripture, but this is not one of them.

A shepherd should NEVER show contempt for his sheep....and yet, this is what PF has been doing since he took office.

It’s ugly.

[Uncle Miltie]

May the perpetrators of boy buggery and their protectors (Bergolio!) be mauled to death by a Pack of Wild Dogs!

[marktwain]

I do not think there is a story where Jesus was driven out of town by a pack of wild dogs. Did. Not. Happen.

The Pope may be referring to a story where a group of people attempted to attack Jesus, but he passed through them unhurt. Then the Pope would have to make the analogy that the group of people were like a pack of wild dogs.

That would be Luke 4:29-30.

I will gladly accept correction from a biblical scholar.

[LanaTurnerOverdrive]

Pediastry is not a word.

[pepsi_junkie]

Is this guy for real? He is comparing his own refusal to address or even discuss a rampaging sex scandal in the church to Christ himself being condemned an attacked by people who hated him, who wanted him dead ultimately? Is he suggesting that covering up gay sex scandals is Christ-like?

I used to say I didn't think he's Catholic. Then I said "yeah, he's gotta be gay". Now I wonder if he's even sane.

[HangnJudge]

A dog that is hit by a car will bite those who try to help it
Is it the fault of the dog, or the heartless driver that hit it?

If a person is mortally harmed by a trusted adult,
and they lash out in pain,
Whose fault is this?

Teach us oh Vicar of Christ

[Mrs. Don-o]

Colorful, but not quite true.

Jesus wasn't driven out of Nazareth by "wild dogs," he was driven out by the congregation after he had preached in the synagogue at Nazareth.

What Bergoglio said was that these people were "like" a pack of wild dogs, and that the same was true of his awn critics, e.g. Archbishop Vigano.

So he wasn't calling children who had been abused "wild dogs," he was calling Abp Vigano and his allies "wild dogs."

I am not saying this to justify Bergoglio, who is not justified in either case. But I just wish the writer, Jay Greenberg, would get the story straight. It wouldn't have been that hard to tell this story accurately.

[Ann Archy]

I have read the New Testament 4 or 5 tines and have NEVER read that!!!

He is a LIBERAL NUT sometimes.....I’m being kind!

[Ann Archy]

I have read the New Testament 4 or 5 tines and have NEVER read that!!!

He is a LIBERAL NUT sometimes.....I’m being kind!

[Fido969]

Technically, that’s not what he meant or said.

I think Francis is basically corrupt, but this subject line is dishonest.

[OpusatFR]

“During Mass at the Vatican’s Sanctae Marthae guesthouse, the Pope raised the issue by likening the latest child abuse scandal to a biblical story where Jesus is driven out of town by a pack of wild dogs.While advising clergy members on how to handle the current wave of accusations, Francis said victims who make allegations against abusive priests “seek only division and destruction” and, like the dogs from the story, are “shouting without reason.”

READ MORE: https://neonnettle.com/news/4978-pope-francis-likens-child-abuse-victims-to-a-pack-of-wild-dogs-
© Neon Nettle

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t the term “dogs” in reference to the statements of Christ in the NT, and it does appear does than once, refer to sodomites?

[Retvet]

What an evil man. Calling sexual assault VICTIMS a pack of wild dogs. I hope Satan has a special place for this decrepit individual. Anyone who supports this man is also part of the crime.

[MrEdd]

Look!

Now Pope Francis is mimicking a large pack of Free Republic posters.

[Mister Da]

I am becoming convinced Bergoglio is a disciple of Satan.

If any of the victims of Catholic priest sexual abuse are dogs, then the priests are guilty of bestiality, too. I wouldn’t doubt it.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

If it helps, this Catholic is equally baffled. Supposedly, JP2 and Benedict stocked the College of Cardinals with good, conservative men. No idea how this current Pope was elected.

[OpusatFR]

Sorry about that.

I am referring to Psalm 22:16

Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce[a] my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.

19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
20 Deliver me from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

[Ford4000]

I left the RC church a long time ago. It was/is a huge bureaucracy with lots of bad apples and not very interested in preaching the gospel.

What a relief to not have to take this pope’s ravings seriously.

[HangnJudge]

...it’s YOUR church that allowed this to continue

I am not Catholic, but this can not go unchallenged
No Christian owns the Body of Christ
Temporal Powers have very limited sway...
Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s...

That being said, however,
Spiritual Warfare is Deadly Serious Business
And has very real consequences.

[Bigg Red]

Well said.