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To: wmfights
I can't speak for the bishops, often the bishops can't even speak for the bishops so I'll have to speak for myself as a Catholic who thinks he believes all that the Catholic Church teaches and proposes for belief.

I don't believe the responsibility of the Church ends when the police put the cuffs on the accused. I also think it's a HORRIBLE idea to turn these... people loose on society after the civil authorities have finished with them. I believe that in most cases they should be reduced to the lay state with all haste. Regardless they should be suspended from the exercise of priestly ministry including being forbidden to wear clerical clothing or use ecclesiastical honorifics, I believe that is being done universally now.

Perhaps it hasn't been clarified, there are two things being discussed: Suspension (Suspended a divinis) which is what I think you're asking for, I believe all of the... persons discussed in the article have been suspended. There's another level called "Reduction to the Lay State" which takes a long time and involves Rome. I don't know, perhaps the process could be streamlined, I'm not sure that's prudent though.

Still speaking for myself I believe that these... men should be suspended and then after whatever civil penalties have been satisfied they should be sent off to a monastery permanently for a lifetime of penance. Let them grow weeds in barren fields.

I'm not sure that janitors are the same sort of problem. Because... and someone hold DR. E... I think there SHOULD be a different set of rules for priests who commit sins against chastity with minors. They have betrayed Christ and His Church in a way no janitor ever could. When hiring a janitor we don't call in a bishop to say: "keep yourselves blameless in a life of chastity and sanctity. Be well aware of the sacredness of your duties. Be holy as you deal with holy things. When you celebrate the mystery of the Lord's death, see to it that by mortifying your bodies you rid yourselves of all vice and concupiscence. Let the doctrine you expound be spiritual medicine for the people of God. Let the fragrance of your lives be the delight of Christ's Church, that by your preaching and example you help to build up the edifice which is the family of God. May it never come about that we, for promoting you to so great an office, or you, for taking it on yourselves, should deserve the Lord's condemnation"

So yes, when the civilians are done with them let them be punished until they die and may God have mercy on their souls.

Every bishop who has ordained one of these... people should do annual public penance for each one ordained. Whatever luxuries intended for the use of the hierarchy left over after victims have been appropriately compensated (however that's possible) should be disposed of in some way that reflects a true intention of amendment on the part of the bishops.

Oh, and they need to stop hiding the Cross in their coat pockets, what the heck kind of symbolism is that?! We should have picked up on that years ago! Seriously, watch a bunch of US bishops together, they're all wearing finely tailored black business suits with a long chain that goes around the neck and off to the side... you know what's on the end of that chain? A CROSS stuffed in the inside coat pocket. I know that sounds ridiculously petty when put up alongside the horrible nature of this discussion, but doesn't it sort of SAY something? Don't you think it's kind of a sign? And don't you have to wonder what MORON thought it would be a good idea? My gut reaction is it was Bernadine. But I'm digressing as usual.

I don't think anyone can legitimately say that I don't take this seriously or that I'm any less horrified than anyone on this forum who hasn't been personally involved. I may have peculiar resolutions to offer but that comes from my devotion to what I believe is in fact the Church established by Christ Himself.

88 posted on 09/16/2010 11:04:51 PM PDT by Legatus (Keep calm and carry on)
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To: Legatus
...so I'll have to speak for myself as a Catholic who thinks he believes all that the Catholic Church teaches and proposes for belief.

This is not an issue where we disagree about interpretation of Scripture.

I don't believe the responsibility of the Church ends when the police put the cuffs on the accused. I also think it's a HORRIBLE idea to turn these... people loose on society after the civil authorities have finished with them.

This position assumes some type of expertise in dealing with convicted sex offenders. I don't believe the RCC can come close to arguing this position.

Still speaking for myself I believe that these... men should be suspended and then after whatever civil penalties have been satisfied they should be sent off to a monastery permanently for a lifetime of penance. Let them grow weeds in barren fields.

Doing this means they are still associated with your church. They are still supported by your church. IOW, they did a bad thing, but it wasn't so bad that we won't provide for them for the rest of their lives.

These sex crimes are about as bad as it gets. The victim is scarred for life. The victims suffer all kinds of emotional trauma as well as the family.

I think there SHOULD be a different set of rules for priests who commit sins against chastity with minors. They have betrayed Christ and His Church in a way no janitor...

Yet I don't see anyone saying the janitor should continue on as an employee of the RCC, or that the janitor should be sent to a monastery. I suspect the vast majority of RC's would say fire the janitor, toss him on the street and never let him in the doors again.

92 posted on 09/17/2010 7:05:50 AM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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