[ThomasMore]

The laity constitute 89 percent of the Church, and these scandals among the clergy did not occur in a vacuum. Do we pray for priests? Do we foster vocations among devout and intelligent young men? Are we supportive of parish priests, who have very difficult jobs and often only hear complaints? Are we charitable toward their human failings?

I agree with much of what he has to say, but come short on this one. Don't lay this issue of depravity off on the laity. You can't have it both ways; we have a higher calling but we're not fully responsible for our actions. All the devout Catholics I know pray for and are supportive of their priests, foster good vocations and are more than charitable. What does that have to do with some sodomite imposter who's wrecking my family; the Church!?!? When it comes to these perverts and heretics I only respect the office; but like the early fathers, I hold their actions and doctrines in contempt.

[maryz]

I agree with much of what he has to say, but come short on this one. Don't lay this issue of depravity off on the laity.

I agree -- I especially liked his emphasis on the importance of cleaning things up to prevent new instances, as opposed to concentrating on what to do when they occur. But other sections, like the one you quote, seem more like filler, and the article would have been more forceful without them.