Shock after Dutch priest endorses pedophilia

My Way ^ | 21 May 2011 | TOBY STERLING

[SkyPilot]

AMSTERDAM (AP) - The Dutch Catholic Church and the Salesian order are investigating revelations that a Salesian priest served on the board of a group that promotes pedophilia with the full knowledge of his boss.

The order's top official in the Netherlands, Delegate Herman Spronck, confirmed in a statement that the priest - identified by RTL Nieuws as 73-year-old "Father Van B." - served on the board of "Martijn," a group that campaigns to end the Dutch ban on adult-child sex.

The group is widely reviled but not outlawed.

"Of course we reject this and distance ourselves from this personal initiative" on the part of the priest, Spronck said in a statement. "Membership in such organizations does not fit with the ethos of the Salesian order."

However, Spronck's own superior in Belgium said he will investigate both Spronck and Van B., after both men were quoted by RTL Nieuws as saying such relationships aren't always harmful.

___

"Society thinks these relationships are harmful. I disagree," RTL quoted Van B. as saying. He served on Martijn's board from 2008 until 2010, when its founder was arrested for alleged possession of child pornography, a case that is ongoing...

In a second interview, RTL quoted Spronck as saying he was aware of Van B.'s pedophilia and membership in Martijn, and even of two instances where the priest had been fined by police for exposing himself in public. But he said he didn't think that was sufficient reason to ban him from the order.

"Removing someone from the order is something you would only do in the case of grave moral transgression, such as rape. There was never any question of that," Spronck was quoted as saying.

[Oztrich Boy]

“Once a priest, always a priest.”

[metmom]

It’s sick that cases of pedophilia or pederasty exist in the Catholic church. Why doesn’t it do something about the situation?

[Crichton]

Why doesn’t it do something about the situation?

You'd have to be blind or extremely bigoted to post that comment after years of well-publicized reforms. You should be ashamed.

[SkyPilot]

I think it’s sick that you appear to rejoice in cases of pedophilia or pederasty for use in your bigoted campaign against the Catholic Church.

Thaaat's right. Anyone who deplores the infestation of the priesthood with homosexuals, or is horrified by complete leadership collapse of Catholic church on the issue of child sex abuse is "sick" or "bigoted" or "rejoices" in the suffering of others.

You should run apply for the position of Chief of Smears for the Democrat party. You would fit right in.

You don't know anything about me. Further, I have known (and have been honored to call him a friend) Father Tom Doyle for over 10 years. Look him up. He is perhaps the one priest who had courage. He is no longer allowed to function as a Catholic priest, since the church ultimately DID fire him for speaking out for years about sex abuse and the cover up.

Catholic Priest Who Aids Church Sexual Abuse Victims Loses Job

Tom Doyle Affidavit in Jane Doe vs. OMI of Texas

This is how it works. Those who have defended the victims of sexual abuse were attacked by the same church that even now refuses to fire an admitted pedophile priest in the Netherlands.

Face the facts Crichton. You are on the wrong side of the angels with your opinion. The Catholic church is wrong, and its behavior and actions are wrong. But, you just can't (or won't) admit it, and you will attack anyone or anything that threatens your lofty opinion - no matter what.

Go to God in prayer and humility, and seek His face. To be convicted by the Holy Spirit is hard, but ultimately a blessing. God disciplines and corrects those He loves.

[Quix]

Thanks for your pings.

However, I think I’m just going to march my fingers away from this horrifically dreary topic.

One thinks nothing more shocking can surface, . . .

then,

the ever faithful

Vatican Alice In Wonderland School of Theology, Reality Mangling and Altar Boy Indoctrinations and Exercises Cult

comes through yet again.

[HossB86]

"It is not possible to apply the criterion of inspiration or of absolute truth in a mechanical way, extrapolating a single phrase or expression,"

WHOOPS! There go all the arguments for "purgatory," as well as Mary's perpetual virginity and a host of other Roman Catholic false doctrines, because that's EXACTLY how those abominations of scripture are "proven" -- by 'extrapolating a single phrase or expression.'

That's a FAIL on a "Pope-ular" level....

:D

Hoss

[Crichton]

I don't think you'll listen to reason.

But please do ask yourself -- do you really think "the angels" are on your side, waging a vicious smear campaign against the Catholic Church?

For my part, I am sure that the Lord is helping those working to heal the Church, not those intent on wounding it or trying to destroy it. It's His church, after all!

[metmom]

Or not. Sometimes there isn’t even a single verse of Scripture to go on.

Just wishful thinking.

[metmom]

The Catholic church ex-communicated Luther for wanting to clean up the immorality and corruption of the Catholic church in his day and get back to the basics of the Scripture Catholics claim the church wrote.

It seems that nothing has changed in how many hundreds of years?

It is mind boggling that Catholics keep attacking people who see homosexual priests who molest boys as being a problem and call on it to stop and for the church to address the problem.

One begins to wonder if there’s any evil that can be perpetrated by a Catholic priest which won’t incur the wrath of Catholics if someone denounces it. You’d think it can’t get any worse than molesting children.

[metmom]

God does not condone sexual immorality.

Why does the church not deal with it? Because by their inaction concerning the problem, they are in effect condoning it, and it appears that the ones ones who don’t see that are the Catholics. The entire rest of the world understands that principle.

[jmacusa]

Pedophilia is big in Europe, especially Belgium. I think about fifteen years ago a number of high ranking officials in The Ministry of Education(quell ironique) and some other government muckty-mucks got snared as part of a pedophilia ring. It was found out because two girls, one 10 and the other 12 were left tied up in a cellar somewhere outside of Brusselles and died of starvation and dehydration. Doesn’t surprise me, I’m sorry for these children, scum like this priest should be shot. It’s just shocking the morals or lack of that supposed ‘’civilized’’ Euro trash like this. And we’re always being told we should be more like them.

[jmacusa]

Defrocked!?! Defrocked my old grandmother. This filthy son of a b!tch deserves to be in a jail cell or dead, one or the other and now! “defrocked’’. He was ‘’defrocked’’ the moment he opened his mouth. Endorsing pedophilia. In all my life as a Catholic I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I’d see something like this. I thought this is what those nuns and priest’s from my old elementary school were railing against forty-five years ago. This kind of thinking, and lusting and all the other unholy, Satanic bs was the devils work. Forty-five f-ing years later and now here’s one the ‘’good guys’’ saying buggering little kids is okay! And you’re reporting the church doesn’t have a problem with it. Who am I supposed to be listening to here? Who’s winning?

[MeganC]

I’m on your side here. What I responded to was the person who said this fellow was ‘not a priest’ and I’m pointing out the fact that so far as the Roman Catholic Church is concerned, he is.

Maybe that will change. I’d hope so.

Otherwise the Church’s silence in this matter will be deafening.

[jmacusa]

Forgive mademoiselle for appearing a bit ... churlish. It’s been a long day. It’s never good to sit in traffic and then come home and get right on to FR! The more I see of “The Church’’, the less I want to do with it. I go to my church on Sunday and keep true to The Holy Trinity as I know it to be. Not the way these scoundrels do.

[MeganC]

These scoundrels are just perverts hiding behind priestly garments as a camoflauge. Like wolves in sheeps’ clothing they predate on the innocent in the comforting knowledge that a Catholic Church more concerned with its image than its mission will protect them and cover up their crimes for them.

Were the Church to announce a thorough investigation of every employee and every priest, nun, monk, or novice you’d see the vermin flee the Church like rats from a sinking ship!

But don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen.

[jmacusa]

Madame, this isn’t an academic debate here or a debate on theology or church protocol. Were talking about A CATHOLIC PRIEST WHO THINKS IT”S OKAY TO HAVE SEX WITH KIDS!! FOR GOD’s SAKE! You’re a mother? I’m a step-dad and uncle and a grandfather. Good Heavens, what has gone wrong in this world!?!

[jmacusa]

“Outrage’’. Doesn’t even come close. For God’s sake. Never in my fifty-five freakin’ years of trying to be a good Catholic would I have ever imagined this. Isn’t this what we’re supposed to on the look-out against? Isn’t this the Devils work? Who am I supposed to be listening to here? Who’s winning?

[Iscool]

“Outrage’’. Doesn’t even come close. For God’s sake. Never in my fifty-five freakin’ years of trying to be a good Catholic would I have ever imagined this. Isn’t this what we’re supposed to on the look-out against? Isn’t this the Devils work? Who am I supposed to be listening to here? Who’s winning?

Finally, an outraged Catholic...Aren't there any more of you guys???

[HossB86]

Just wishful thinking.

Pretty much nails it.

Hoss

[stevio]

Yep, plain old homos are cliche. Got to go after all the taboos.