Replies

You wrote:

“This may be true... I hope it is. However, it doesn’t undo what was done. Unless all those who perpetrated and perpetuated it are prosecuted, it simply means that the church is sweeping at least some of it under the rug.”

No. Whether or not the state chooses to prosecute or victims choose to pursue prosecution has NOTHING to do with whether or not the Church is sweeping anything under the rug. The Church does not determine what either the victims or the state choose to do.

“If I was a Catholic, I would be screaming at my church to “out” ALL the priests who perpetrated this foul deed so they could be prosecuted and punished.”

What you would do if you were in the Church is really immaterial since you aren’t. Many Catholics have complained since the 1970s. All anyone has to do is look at back issues of The Wanderer and that is clear as day.

“Furthermore, I would demand that the cardinals, bishops and priests who concealed the crimes of other priests be exposed for what they are, enablers.”

Already done. Most of them are retired or dead. Remember these cases almost always date back to the 60s through the 80s.

“I would certainly not be cheering when the leader claims immunity from testifying.”

Since immunity belongs to the pope and that is the law I see no reason not to cheer when he insists on the legal rights of his office.

“But since I am a non-Catholic, this entire sordid mess underscores my understanding of ecclesiology, namely that “church” is wherever people are gathered in Jesus’ name, not some vast international organization that claims to be a state unto itself and immune from the scrutiny of the press, media and the legal authorities whenever it commits and/or conceals crimes.”

You have a good start as to what the Church is, but it isn’t enough. I recommend you read http://www.scribd.com/doc/2965722/The-Whole-Christ-by-Emile-Mersch-S-J