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Pope Blames U.S. Sex Abuse Crisis on ‘Clericalism,’ Leaves out Homosexuality
LifeSite News ^ | 8/20/18 | Lisa Bourne

Posted on 08/20/2018 6:46:42 PM PDT by marshmallow

VATICAN CITY, August 20, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – Nearly a week after last Tuesday’s scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report exposing 70 years of clergy sex abuse of 1,000 known victims on the part of some 300 priests, Pope Francis responded to the scandal today, stating that “clericalism” was the root cause.

The letter is facing criticism from faithful Catholics for failing to specify any concrete actions he would take to address the crisis, and ignoring the underlying issue of rampant homosexuality in the clergy.

“Clericalism, whether fostered by priests themselves or by lay persons, leads to an excision in the ecclesial body that supports and helps to perpetuate many of the evils that we are condemning today. To say ‘no’ to abuse is to say an emphatic ‘no’ to all forms of clericalism,” he stated.

He called clericalism a “peculiar way of understanding the Church’s authority” that is “common in many communities where sexual abuse and the abuse of power and conscience have occurred,” and that “not only nullifies the character of Christians, but also tends to diminish and undervalue the baptismal grace that the Holy Spirit has placed in the heart of our people.”

In his letter “to the People of God” (published in full below), the Pope called for collective Church-wide penance, fasting, and prayer as a response.

He did not, however, acknowledge the issue of homosexuality among clergy, offer concrete steps for resolution of the crisis, nor recognize the role bishops have played in the scandal. In fact, the word "bishop" does not appear once in the entire letter.

Cardinal Raymond Burke stated in two interviews concerning the crisis that only the Pope can address situations of misconduct or negligence by bishops, not a bishops’ conference.

“It is the Roman Pontiff, the Holy Father......

(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Ministry/Outreach
KEYWORDS: antipope; coverup; homosexualagenda; popefrancis; romancatholicism
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To: Awgie

On the bright side, it is easier than being a Jew immediately preceding the Hasmonean rebellion.


21 posted on 08/20/2018 7:43:25 PM PDT by Hieronymus ((It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged. --G. K. Chesterton))
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To: Awgie

Imagine being with Ezra and Nehemiah when the Sabbath year feast of Tabernacles was observed correctly for the fist time since . . . Joshua.


22 posted on 08/20/2018 7:44:50 PM PDT by Hieronymus ((It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged. --G. K. Chesterton))
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To: marshmallow

This dude is a vile piece of sht in clerical clothing, how about that!

Always going on rhetorical defense, not even contrite and ashamed metaphysically with what happened or happens in his sickly flock


23 posted on 08/20/2018 7:57:24 PM PDT by JudgemAll (Democrats Fed. job-security Whorocracy & hate:hypocrites must be gay like us or be tested/crucified)
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To: The Great RJ

Bergoglio knows who the fag bishops are. He’s appointed many. He’s a Jesuit and doesn’t care unless someone else exposes them and he has to act. He fires Orthodox priests, not liberal girly priests.


24 posted on 08/20/2018 8:41:47 PM PDT by NKP_Vet ("Man without God descends into madness")
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To: LukeL

Your post doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The church doesn’t get to pick and choose who is subjected to civil punishment; police, DAs, judges, and juries do that. And nobody can be compelled to testify against themselves, not even Catholic priests accused of molesting kids. That’s in the Constitution, not the Code of Canon Law.


25 posted on 08/20/2018 9:07:54 PM PDT by Campion
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To: marshmallow

According to the Catholic Dictionary.

CLERICALISM
Definition
The advocacy of exaggerated claims on the part of the clergy, especially in matters that belong to the jurisdiction of the state. More commonly it is used as a term of reproach by secularists and unfriendly critics of the Catholic Church who aim to banish all religious influence from public life.


26 posted on 08/20/2018 9:11:51 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Campion
My point is that if I would go to a priest and say I have been abusing children for 40 years and all I have to do to be absolved is do some penance, that shows a serious problem. The priest should compel or even force the person to confess to the proper authorities before any absolution can be given.
27 posted on 08/20/2018 9:14:30 PM PDT by LukeL
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To: LukeL
Do you really think that happens? Not the abuse, the confession. I don't think these devils would ever confess any of their evil deeds.

A priest is not supposed to absolve a penitent who is not actually repentent. Someone who confesses to committing grave crimes but refuses to turn themselves in to the police is not truly repentant, IMO.

28 posted on 08/20/2018 9:22:03 PM PDT by Campion
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To: marshmallow

HOW MANY PRIESTS WERE GIVEN 20 MORE ‘CHANCES’ AFTER CAUGHT STEALING MONEY FROM THE CHURCH COFFERS?


29 posted on 08/20/2018 9:45:20 PM PDT by GOPJ (Trump's building an underground railroad... a path that leads to freedom, jobs, and dignity...)
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To: marshmallow
The previous pope was forced out by Obama, and this one selected by Obama. You can do a lot when you can spy on anyone (ask Merkel).

Everything this pope does is so obviously wrong... amazing that people can't see it.

30 posted on 08/20/2018 9:54:29 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: marshmallow

Clericalism? I agree with the statement to a degree, but I doubt his intentions.

When clergy are financially supported and housed by a church, wear unique uniforms to identify them, exclude laity from drinking from the cup during communion, and take special titles for their offices, clericalism becomes endemic.

The Bible uses the term “Nicolaitans” which means “conquerors of the laity”. Jesus said He hates this doctrine.

Every Christian should see his or her self as a minister of God because this is not reserved for a special class of Christians.

Instead of calling for penance, he should be calling for repentance. That’s what Christ and the apostles preached. And this is yet another reason why the Reformation was necessary.

Putting trust in clergy, an external religious system, and vain rituals is at the root of the problem. These things keep true seekers of Christ from following Him when He is currently unwelcome inside of many Christian / Catholic churches and is instead outside knocking on the door. (See Revelation 3:20.)


31 posted on 08/20/2018 10:22:17 PM PDT by unlearner (A war is coming.)
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To: RetiredTexasVet
Predatory queers, not pedophiles.

Like one is better than the other. I have heard for years, the doctrine of the homosexuality versus pedophile priest problem. Do you really believe one is better than the other. Where did all these 'homosexual' boys come from that seduced the poor 'gay' priests? Why they were born and raised in the 'church', and these twisted perverted priests schooled the innocent to join them, when that 'curse' of pedophilia would not be accused. So now there are two sinners and makes it a 'homosexual' sin, much more palatable for the masses than what really takes place.

32 posted on 08/20/2018 10:38:14 PM PDT by Just mythoughts
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To: Campion

That is my point, and evil is also refusing to go to the police when you know people around you are abusing children.


33 posted on 08/20/2018 10:39:30 PM PDT by LukeL
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To: dangus

I think clericalism means the belief that bishops and priests are a special protected caste, not subject to the law.


34 posted on 08/20/2018 11:42:47 PM PDT by wiley (John 16:33: "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.")
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To: marshmallow

I repeat myself....this last scandal is too much. Does Faux Francis not know or not care this could be what does in the RC Church?


35 posted on 08/21/2018 3:37:48 AM PDT by grania (President Trump, stop believing the Masters of War!)
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To: marshmallow

After all, who is he to judge?


36 posted on 08/21/2018 3:40:04 AM PDT by Jim Noble
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To: marshmallow

Living in denial. Denial is not a river in Egypt.


37 posted on 08/21/2018 4:09:04 AM PDT by Biggirl ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
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To: Cementjungle

You can see why Trump was elected President.


38 posted on 08/21/2018 4:12:17 AM PDT by Biggirl ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
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To: RoosterRedux

Remember that homosexuality IS A SINFUL LIFESTYLE CHOICE.


39 posted on 08/21/2018 4:18:44 AM PDT by Biggirl ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
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To: The Great RJ

Most likely he thinks the enemy is only make believe.


40 posted on 08/21/2018 4:21:55 AM PDT by Biggirl ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
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