In early March 21 Priests were suspended by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2685880/posts
An Uproar in Ireland over Pedophile Priests and brothers.
A few years back the Church was sued and paid out Millions of dollars because of Pedophilia. Most Catholics thought step were taken then to rid the Church of this stain. Why are we still getting stories of Pedophiles? Whjy hasn’t this mess been straightened out? Why are Priests still denied the right to marry?
These questions run through my mind.
Who is to do the straightening. The Cardinals, The Bishops?
Were they not picked from the ranks of the Priesthood?
Who vouch’s for their innocence? Why else would they hide these perverts in their ranks?
Don’t they realise that ignoring these perverts puts shame on the Church, and makes them all suspect?
I believe in the Catholic Church and the Apostle’s Creed, but I am suspect, and with reason, about those who represent the Church.A person should not have to make excuses for his religion or feel shame for the acts of their Church’s Pastor’s and High office Holders.
If there were still 21 in Philadelphia , how many others are still around in opther diocese’s ? How can one go to his Priest and talk about this going on when one cannot know if his own priest is guilty? Who can you approach, and how can you feel absolved of sin when you leave penance service if you do have complete trust in the one who absolved you?
I know Free Republic is not the place to bring these doubts, because they are absorbed and used by the enemies of the Church, but where is the proper place to ask , how can one make oneself free in their own mind of these questions?
How can one be sure anythingis being done when new cases keep appearing. The Catholic Church is not growing as it should because of this, and who’s fault is it? It is the fault of those who have been hiding these people for so many years. Not the Parisioner, but the clergy.