[old and tired]

First, pedophile priests should be defrocked or even excommunicated (in the Maciel case an excommunication was warranted). Second, there should be punishment for bishops who knowingly cover up the abuses.

I agree with you, but our bishops have shown us time and again that they're not willing to act forcefully. They'll change their tune if their brother bishops start sitting in jail.

[illinidiva]

You are very right. Mr. Mahony should currently be enjoying a stint at Club Fed. But the Church cannot try and convict someone. However, it can and should give out harsher punishments. For instance, Mahoney should have been stripped of his rank of cardinal.