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To: vladimir998
Guilty conscience?

Let's see,

I didn't molest small boys
I don't support a organization by tithing to it even though it shuffles child molesters from on diocese to another.

Nope, I'm guilty of a lot, but not this.

21 posted on 11/21/2009 2:02:53 PM PST by Gamecock
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To: Gamecock

You wrote:

“Nope, I’m guilty of a lot, but not this.”

I never said you were. What you’re guilty of is not what is in the article.


28 posted on 11/21/2009 2:18:06 PM PST by vladimir998
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To: Gamecock
Part of the problem is, maybe, one of my favorite fallacies, the fallacy of misplaced concreteness.

I don't really “get” all of it, but I have been told that each Diocese (as US law understands it) is a corporation with one member, the bishop. It would really interesting if a Catholic bishop and lots of people in his diocese all decided to become Hare Krishnas. There would clearly be “remedies” in canon law, like the bishop would be excommunicated or somesuch. But when it gets down to real estate.... I don't know how it would come out.

My point, if any, is that viewed positively, the bonds and obligations of the Church are voluntary and charitable, and are not (these days at least) likely to be backed up by nobles with armies who see the possibility of territorial gain if they play their cards right in cooperating with the Holy See.

Also, and this is more in the explanation than excuse department, some bishops really do have a paternal affect toward their priests. As I say this does not excuse. But if it were shown to me that a child of mine had been engaged in dreadful misbehavior, while I hope I'd do what was right, I know I'd be sore tempted to protect the child.

And if people with Ph.D.s or M.D. assured me that all that my child needed was some counselling and a change of scene and the problem would probably go way — well, I HOPE I'd do better than some bishops did. But I can't guarantee it.

34 posted on 11/21/2009 2:51:03 PM PST by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin: pray for us who have recourse to thee.)
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