Boston divided over Cardinal's apology; TIME TO LET PRIESTS MARRY (my take)

ap via nando ^ | Jan. 27 02 | associated press

[churchillbuff]

Nation: Parishioners in Boston divided over Cardinal's apology

Copyright © 2002 AP Online

BOSTON (January 27, 2002 8:09 p.m. EST) - Lori Sciurca said she regularly attends Sunday Mass but her faith has been tested by reports that church leaders repeatedly reassigned a priest accused of sexually molesting children.

"I think the apologies have gotten awfully old. There's a lot of singing and dancing and sidestepping," the 41-year-old social worker said before morning Mass at the Arch Street Chapel. "But, I also think there are many good priests in the archdiocese."

Similar conflicting sentiments were expressed by many Catholics on Sunday as Cardinal Bernard Law issued a letter apologizing for reassigning the former Rev. John J. Geoghan to a new parish in 1984, although he knew Geoghan had been removed from two parishes for molesting children ....

[GreatOne]

Where in the Bible can I find the prohibition on priests being married?

In the event that you are asking this question seriously, go to this page at the Catholic Answers website for the history of priests being celibate.

[GreatOne]

See the link in my reply #21 for a link giving the history of priests and celibacy.

[Barnacle]

They are a bunch of sick bastards... I have a loathing and intense dislike of Catholicism that can only come from having been in its clutches at one time. ...that wicked church. I just hope there is a special place in hell for those priests to rot.

Oh come on, why not tell us how you really feel?

My family and I are Catholic (that "wicked church" as you put it). Just what on earth happened to you while you were "in its clutches" ?

My wife's uncle is a Catholic priest and a wonderful man. Why would you want him to go to hell? And, even rot in a special place?

You know, if I wasn't "Mild Mannered Barnacle", I might even take offense at what you said. But, I'll just write you off as a Catholic hater. And, perhaps you're feeling a little SADD. Have you tried light therapy?

[Deep_6]

re:
"... Let priests marry - or at least set up an order of priests
who can marry...."

Heterosexuals are heterosexual; homosexuals are homosexual
and pedophiles are pedophiles. One has nothing to do with
another. And there's nothing worse than a pedophile that's
married with children.

Marriage isn't the answer; putting a stop to the Church's
protection of pedophile priests, is.

[SoDak]

I'm not sure if you're Catholic or not, I'm not, but I think it's up to Catholics to set their own rules and for the rest of us to butt out. I have enough problems happening in my own church.

[america-rules]

If you were the devil whose soul would you try to enter when they were living on earth and have them molest small boys? The priests that do the molesting have been molested by the devil. They are no longer servants to God but servants to the devil. The issue of being married or not means nothing to the devil ! Look at this the way the devil works and you'll see that the marrige issue doesn't really matter at all ! Catholics are the oldest religion after christ and the pope is the realtime Paul of our times so wouldn't you think the devil would target Catholic priests ?

He's also targeting other Catholics and it shows in their actions and opinions i.e., abortion ! With 55% of Catholics being pro choice I would say the devil has his way with them as he wants--No ?

[a history buff]

Celibacy was only strictly imposed during the counterreformation, and is more a matter of appearance than reality in vast swathes of globe.

[pbear8]

Have you tried light therapy?

Or maybe just a good enema.

[rtwing rembrandt]

are you also going to teach your daughter how to be narrow-minded and hateful?

[america-rules]

The pope !

[Barnacle]

Jesus said, "It is better that for a man that a mill-stone be hung around his neck and he be cast into the sea than that he should come into the judgment of God for corrupting the pure good growth of a child's heart."

He doesn't sound much like a pacifist on this issue. Well, I agree with Him - whether the perp is a priest or not.

[Barnacle]

Good suggestion for those who are clearly suffering from intestinal congestion.

Per Jim Rob's post, "Mild Mannered" Barnacle is looking for alternatives to tearing new ones for the afflicted.

[cimon]

I'm going to get flack for this, but it seems to me that celibacy (except for the very few who are inclined towards it) isn't a natural state for human beings. Sexual repression can lead to perversion. Hence you have priests buggering little boys. I'm not suggesting they screw around, but wouldn't allowing them to marry solve this problem?