I’ve read the comments on this and other threads about this story which is all over the place to day. It is a sad day when the truth is revealed by an upper level Cardinal who has had enough of the lies and obfuscation in the hierarchy, and courageously exposed the duplicity.
Additionally, I want to point out that for many who are disgusted with the behavior and the crimes against young members in the church, even here, the term pedophilia is still used when discussing the major cause of the abuse. The church does not have a pedophilia problem as hardly ever has there been a case of sexual abuse against small children who are under the age of puberty [the definition of pedophilia]. In no way does this lessen the problem. Abuse against little children or teenagers or even innocent young seminarians is a crime. However, by not using the proper terminology, the church will never be able to face it’s problems and correct them. The problem is the large number of HOMOSEXUALS who have increasingly found refuge, anonymity, and hoped for safety within the clergy.
Today, the secular press is still using the term ‘pedophilia’, and as long as society is unwilling to call it what it is because of political correctness, we will never confront it head on. Our press is two-faced [what’s new about that?], as they love to bash the church, but hide the intrinsic nature so as to shield homosexuals. Do news media folks think that homosexuals are OK, but priests are bad when they abuse ‘children’, when actually these priests are homosexuals who are abusing members of the church, primarily teenage boys?
Being a lifelong Catholic, I have been cautious to criticize Pope Francis, although I have mentioned to friends that I do not care for his pronouncements regarding morality, which seem to gloss over the seriousness of sinful behavior in favor of being more forgiving of the sinners. Because Jesus told us not to judge, and to forgive one another, it works great - BUT that is only half of what Jesus taught. Jesus told us to ‘go and sin no more’; to repent and believe in the gospel, to avoid occasions of sin; to let the little children come to him; to never cause any harm to children, etc..
Cardinal Carlo Maria Vigano had put his heart and soul in to the letter made public today. The demotion of Cardinal Burke [a great man in my opinion] several years ago was a serious signal that all was not well in Rome. Pope Francis is a Jesuit, a religious order that was formerly esteemed among scholars but which has been destroyed by liberalism, so it is not too surprising that he is weak in this area. I do not think he is gay but he is infected with leftism.
The full fallout of this continuing scandal is yet to be seen. In the meantime, the children, teens [mostly boys], young seminarians, etc., are the primary victims. Secondary victims are the majority of good priests who are suffering under the threat of false allegations, finger pointing, etc.; the laity of the Catholic Church, the reputation of all sincere Christians, and the full Body of Christ.
I’ll close with a prayer from the Divine Mercy Chaplet - For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion, Have Mercy on us and on the Whole World.
Very thoughtful post. Thanks for giving us the fruit of your time and your thought.