[GOPJ]

If someone begs repentance for any sin, they will be forgiven and allowed back in communion. Presumably there are no pedophiles in the ministry who say: "Pedophilia is perfectly moral and acceptable, therefore I do not apologize because I have done nothing wrong."

Well, what if an abortionist begs repentance, is forgiven and goes and commits more abortions the next day? Then when caught, gets forgiven, accepted and goes and commits abortions again. At what point does the Church get real? Here's my guess - they "get real" very quickly with abortionist, not so quickly with priests who are having sex with other men, and not quickly at all with priests who are boinking the alter boys. Really, many of us don't have all the built in excuses for this type of evil behavior... And yes, "evil" is the word.

[wideawake]

Well, what if an abortionist begs repentance, is forgiven and goes and commits more abortions the next day?

They are excommunicated again by that very act.

And if they ask forgiveness again, it will not be granted until they demonstrate repentance over a long period of time.

The same applies to pedophiles.

Bishops who are doing their job properly observe this discipline.

The problem is, not all bishops do their job - and the Vatican is exercising a renewed scrutiny of these slackers.