[Gophack]

First, the percentage of criminal priests is lower than that of the population at large. Virtually all of the cases were HOMOSEXUAL in nature, not child molestation. This in NO WAY condones the behavior and crimes of the offending priests. They should be defrocked and prosecuted. But the fact remains that the priests who are sinned so badly are a small percentage of the total priests in America.

There have been many, many mistakes by some church leaders in this tragic affair. All the mistakes were made by men, all of whom are sinners no matter how devout. Protestant churches, public schools, and the government routinely operate in the same manner. This is NOT to condone the behavior; it's to show that it happens everywhere. People like to attack the Catholic Church more because it's "fun" ... they point out what "hypocrites" we are, being morally conservative and having a bunch of homosexual priests having sex with young boys.

The Catholic Church's teachings are solid. There is nothing wrong with the faith. There are many things wrong with some of the priests and leaders, and those are, thank the Holy Spirit, being corrected. It is our lot to be humilated and humbled out of this tragedy, and we should suffer, all Catholics, out of penance for the victims and sorrow for those in the church who commit such heinous acts.

But the Church and the fallen within the church can and should be separated.

God bless.

[concerned about politics]

First, the percentage of criminal priests is lower than that of the population at large. Virtually all of the cases were HOMOSEXUAL in nature, not child molestation. This in NO WAY condones the behavior and crimes of the offending priests. They should be defrocked and prosecuted. But the fact remains that the priests who are sinned so badly are a small percentage of the total priests in America.

But....but.....they're "priests", and they had sex with kids, dude!