Besides, the Catholic Church was fully aware that the activity was a crime. They concealed crimes. That’s a...crime. Last I looked, card-playing is still legal. Even for Baptists.
Of course, you are correct. However, for 1750 years at least, in one place or another, The HRCC had it's own courts, its own punishments, and yes Virginia, it's own prisons (and death penalty).
So, there IS a long, if not glorious, HRCC tradition of settling this stuff in-house. Doesn't work any more. Doesn't work here. Probably never really worked.
No excuses. mais tout comprendre est tout pardonner.
That's for us. Let the cops and the courts handle the rest, with the disgusting chips falling where they may. When the outhouse explodes, everbody gets covered. HRCC, viewed strictly as an organization, is no more immune to the law than any other.
PS, If I catch a Baptist playing cards, where do I turn him in?