[sinkspur]

This article is meant to defend the Church against the criticism it is receiving, but misses the point entirely.

The issue is not, and never has been, that there are pedophiles and ephibophiles in the priesthood, nor do many sane people say that the there are more of them in the priesthood than in the population at large.

THE issue was the cover-up of sexual abuse by the hierarchy. Bishops, when told priests were abusing children, told them to go on retreat and go to confession.

These priests were then RETURNED to ministry where they could prey on young children, once again.

Pedophiles are in every profession, but they were generally taken out of circulation or imprisoned.

The Catholic Church simply moved them around.

[independentmind]

The issue is not, and never has been, that there are pedophiles and ephibophiles in the priesthood, nor do many sane people say that the there are more of them in the priesthood than in the population at large.

I suggest you read more of the comments posted on FR if you think that the population at large doesn't believe this.

THE issue was the cover-up of sexual abuse by the ierarchy. Bishops, when told priests were abusing children, told them to go on retreat and go to confession.

You are correct, of course. I blame that partly on over-reliance on advice from pyschiatrists and lawyers.

What pastoral responsibilities do you think Bishops have toward errant priests?

[Lucy Lake]

Bishops, when told priests were abusing children, told them to go on retreat and go to confession.

IMO, the Bishops and other hierarchy in the church were/are child molesters, themselves, or they would not continue covering up this crime against children.

What other reason would there be for not protecting children? Protecting the innocent and helpless is part of their job.

[PackerBoy]

I agree with you. It would make no difference if we are taking about the Catholic Church or a day care franchise business. If the "employer" knows of a risk to the health and safety o children, it MUST act. The failure to do so is negligence at minimum, or more likely reckless indifference (especially since children cannot protect themselves and parents have a right to trust the church).

[The Iguana]

Sinky,

I think the article does correct some misperceptions.

I also think your point is well taken.

CRISIS would have done better to preface (or close) its article with a clear recognition of the failures of the Church to better screen and train its prelates, and to better deal with them once identified.

There has been a failure here and it needs to be recognized by all.

[ladyjane]

The primary issue may be the coverup, but there remains the issue of active homosexual priests. Even if they are not abusing teenage boys they are still a major problem for the church. I don't want to talk to my pastor and hear about his vacation in P'town.