[Houghton M.]

The idiot reporters who write this stuff seem to think that the only penalty available and the only way to deal with a priest of this sort is to “defrock” him.

He was suspended from exercising ministry. He was dealt with by the law.

“Defrocking” refers solely to an ecclesiastical status. It is the same as “laicization.” It is not and cannot be the chief means of rendering a sex offender incapable of abusing again. For that, other means are needed. In this case those means were in place. Get angry at instances in which those other steps were not taken and abusers abused again.

But that Cardinal Ratzinger was slow to laicize has nothing specific to do with covering up or enabling abuse.

The media bandy about words like “defrock” either out of ignorance or out of malice (in the latter case, assuming that because “to defrock” means “big-time punishment” to most ignorant fools reading this crap, therefore, not to defrock means not to punish at all.

This kind of sensationalism can only work among readers who are uninformed.

But in their uninformedness they, including some Freepers, do not hesitate to make moral judgments of apocalyptic dimensions.

[madprof98]

Thank you for a clear and reasoned response.

[Global2010]

Amazing.

That UFO/Anti Catholic ping list poo poo everything about the Roman Catholic faith.

Heaven forbid anyone disagree with their UFO beliefs/Biblical theology.

I know we have allot of “packs” here at FR, somethin for everyone and that is cool.

However this one particular ping pack list come across as a bit delusional, short fused
know it alls.

Freeper Farakhans, hope their Mothership doesnt leave them behind. /sarc

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thanks for this --- very helpful. Now I'm going to go back and search for the rest of your posts on this subject so I can grasp the real shape of the situation.

I know paltry little about canon law, but at least I know that I don't know. But I am simply astounded at the people who are willing to bring in the dry sticks, the kerosene and the Bic lighter on Benedict, when they don't know jack chick about it.

See mine at #59.

[HiTech RedNeck]

“Defrocking” refers solely to an ecclesiastical status. It is the same as “laicization.” It is not and cannot be the chief means of rendering a sex offender incapable of abusing again. For that, other means are needed. In this case those means were in place. Get angry at instances in which those other steps were not taken and abusers abused again.

While the offender might go on to have private trysts (as the church is not a police state), it would certainly get him permanently out of the clergy seat of the confessionals.