When stuff like this happens, it makes me inclined to beleive that many in the field of religious leadership don’t actually believe what they’re talking about.
Distressing.
Priests are human beings too, if you think because they are ordained they are somehow above sin, temptation, and all the other failing of man you will be woefully disappointed.
I’ll buy that answer. It was just a job.
It simply points to a troubled, conflicted and sinful individual at war with himself over his sexuality and greed.
The Church surprises no one with its rules on celibacy and homosexuality. Certainly no one in the Church forces a priest to enter. The entire seminary process is one of discerning your calling and your own true inner nature. If you don’t like it, you can leave any time. Once you are a priest, you can also leave any time you want.
Its not the Christian thing to say, but any sympathy I have for his conflicted nature is equalled by doubled over his stupidity and anger over any children he has abused
Certainly possible
But I am of the opinion that this man was in a state of panic or severe depression.
In either case he would not be able to think clearly.
I would say that those who loved this man failed him. He should not have been left alone. He should have been accompanied wherever he went.
Someone publicly accused of such things is going to be sure that his life is over regardless of his guilt or innocence.
Panic or despair is almost inevitable.
The man needed time and help to work through what was happening to him. And he need to be assured that those who loved him still loved him.
When stuff like this happens, it makes me inclined to beleive that many in the field of religious leadership don’t actually believe what they’re talking about.
Distressing.
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I agree with you 100%.