[Gophack]

I don't know if you are a Catholic, were a Catholic, or never were a Catholic. There are some problems with some diocese in not properly upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding abortion, birth control, divorce, etc. But that doesn't mean the Church is in error. If you believe that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, and that the beliefs of the Catholic Church are the Truth, then you have to stay a Catholic, regardless of the personal human failings of other Catholics, some priests, some Cardinals and even some Popes.

Remember, MOST of the priests involved in the scandals were homosexual priests preying on teen-age, post-pubescent boys. They are not pedophiles preying on little boys and girls. The problem was permissiveness in some seminaries, and outright condoning the homosexual lifestyle. But all of that is contradictory to the teaching of the Church.

When the laity throw in the towel and leave the church because of human sin, they are really turning their back on Jesus Christ. Because as a Catholic, we believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and we believe that our suffering -- and the suffering of the Church -- can be united with the suffering of Jesus on the Cross, ultimately bring us closer to God in faith.

Anyway, that's my opinion. I am becoming more grounded in my faith as I pray and combat the secularism of some Catholics, but I know many, many Catholics who are devout and live as best they can in the way of the Church. I openly talk in my parish even among parishioners who I know are not in agreement with the teachings about being pro-life, the evils of contraception, the evil of divorce and remarriage, the importance of following the teachings of the church. It's up to us. And there are many, many good priests who help as well. Not all of them have fallen so horribly.

God bless.

[Deep_6]

re:
"..Remember, MOST of the priests involved in the scandals were homosexual priests 
preying on teen-age, post-pubescent boys. They are not pedophiles preying on little boys and girls..."

The average ages of the children at time of first encounter were 6-10 years old,
not "post-pubescent".

"Homosexuals" are attracted to those of the same sex and/or of an age that would be
akin to the age that you prefer for your mate. When one is attracted to a child,
it is not "sexual attraction", it is a hunger for power; it is akin to rape. There is a vast
difference. Most pedophiles are heterosexual and attack male or female, whatever
is available. In the case of priests, it would be safe to assume that male children
are more easily available. It has little to do with sexual preference and more to
do with the mind of the rapist.

There is nothing more anti-Christ, than allowing a child to be placed in harm's way.
That is exactly what the Church has done repeatedly, after knowing a member
of clergy had been accused of sexual battery against a child. There is no excuse.

And yet the Church continues to protect the batterers; the molesters; the pedophilic
members of clergy.