I want to make sure I understand exactly what the issue is here. There are priests who committed horrific sins, there are bishops who covered up the crimes and the cover ups of the crimes. On that I think we agree. The accused should be tried and, if found guilty, punished by the civil authorities. They should not return to active ministry in any capacity after whatever sentences are carried out. Are we still in agreement?
Then what... in Catholic language they should be reduced from the clerical state... all of them without regard to the particulars of their crimes? Do we go through the motions for the 80 year old who's bedridden in a nursing home when his crimes finally caught up with him after 50 years? I don't know, maybe.
Do we look at these messes on a case by case basis or just have a blanket policy? Do we draw the line based on what exactly? A conviction? Imprisonment? What if there's not enough evidence to convict in a secular court but an ecclesiastical court can?
Is it possible to make a case that certain individuals could or should be better monitored by keeping them "in the ranks" so to speak? NOT functioning as priests of course.
I hope this helps.
Mr. Barnett reported that Church officials explained that only half of the 14 priests who were convicted of sexual abuse might eventually be dismissed. Three proposed dismissals have either been rejected by the Vatican or not pursued because of the ill health of the priest, and in four cases no moves have been made to remove the men from the priesthood.
My interest is what's going on after they've been convicted.
Then what... in Catholic language they should be reduced from the clerical state... all of them without regard to the particulars of their crimes?
It's simple, you get convicted of committing heinous crimes your on the street.
Is it possible to make a case that certain individuals could or should be better monitored by keeping them "in the ranks" so to speak? NOT functioning as priests of course.
NO!
What expertise does your church have in dealing with sexual abusers? Clearly, your church did not do a great job of protecting it's parishioners in the first place. Why all the sympathy for the criminal? Where is the empathy for the victims?
I can't believe RC's put up with this garbage. As a Baptist I would be meeting with the elders the second the pastor is convicted and would make sure the criminal was on the street and any pastor who protected him. Yet all we see on these threads from RC's is defend the priests, defend your church, don't say much about the victims.