[Alex Murphy]

I don't see where Dolan or any other faithful Catholic would disagree with you. Fornication is immoral

Immoral, yes. I believe c-y-c may have been referring to a thread several years back, wherein a Catholic FReeper advanced the argument that 14 was the age of consent, and therefore a priest could not be tried for statutory rape or sexual abuse if the underage male was at least 14 years of age.

I'll leave it to others to decide if this person could be considered a "faithful Catholic".

[Mrs. Don-o]

OK, now I'm confused. Is this a discussion of the legal definition of rape--- the definition under which a person can be legally indicted and tried? Therefore, I suppose, criminal statutes, which would vary by country and by state?

Or are we talking about a moral definition -- a discussion of different types of sins?

What is unlawful via moral law would be far more extensive thatn what is unlawful under criminal law.

Or is there some confusion of categories here?

[Mrs. Don-o]

OK, now I'm confused. Is this a discussion of the legal definition of rape--- the definition under which a person can be legally indicted and tried? Therefore, I suppose, criminal statutes, which would vary by country and by state?

Or are we talking about a moral definition -- a discussion of different types of sins?

What is unlawful via moral law would be far more extensive thatn what is unlawful under criminal law.

Or is there some confusion of categories here?

[count-your-change]

Immorality is “immoral” not just because of some possible bad consequences but because Our Creator says so. That sometime in the future we may reap what is sown may reinforce that fact but that is not the reason to avoid immorality.

“....the argument that 14 was the age of consent, and therefore a priest could not be tried for statutory rape or sexual abuse if the underage male was at least 14 years of age.”

Secular law might be unable to do anything but secular law is only designed to preserve the state not concern its self with morals.