Replies

Well at least the RC Church heirarchy is trying to do something

What they've been trying to do isn't good. They have been pressuring everybody they can to keep the lid on this problem. Not only have they failed to inform the authorities about problems, they have been witholding information and twisting every arm they can to sweep the problems under the run.They've put pressure on the media, politicians, and law enforcement agencies. They are not the good holy men I thought they were.

You make some good points. I was believe; however, the RC Church is genuinely embarrassed by this situation -- the Episcopal Church on the other hand, is encouraging the ordination of homosexuals and placing them in as many parishes as possible. It is a scandal. The Wash DC diocese is apparently one of the worst--though the Massachusetts discese and quite a number of the others are trying to catch up. Just recently a parish in Atlanta received an openly honosexual priest. Not condemning the sinner, just the sin, mind you.

I wonder which "hierarchy" you are talking about. From what I have read the Pope and Cardinal Ratzinger and the writers of the new Catechism have all been clear and explicit. But so many of our bishops choose not to be in obedience to the Pope despite the clear teaching of several Vat II documents.I have a letter written after our bishop excerised his "authority",where he quite simply lied about Church teaching. One of the statements the letter writer made was "I will be as obedient to you as you are to the Pope and Magisterium".While it didn't change the bishop's wily ways,it released the sender and those of us who read his letter to carefully study the teaching of the Church and do whatever we wanted when the bishop wasn't "in concert" with the Pope without guilt.

For those who are angry because Rome is not acting let me offer two examples of why Rome frequently cannot act. The ex-bishoop of Palm Beach said"I guess I should have mentioned (past proven dalliance with a teen-ager)when they caled me for this position". Can you imagine that one would be called to replace a bishop,who had resigned solely because of perversions and not mention that one had the same problem. Beam me up,Scottie.

Then the departing bishop of Tucson in explaining his actions concerning a pedophile priest. "I lied to the Vatican about this priest because I did not intend to be blackmailed". The fact is,a lie is a lie.And,furthermore besides his good intent not to be blackmailed,he was.

But back to my point,how can the Vatican act when they cannot trust the words of their bishoops. I say we need to watch carefully what they say and hold them to the truth. As I see it,a lie is the first step into the culture of death because it gives death to reality,and pretty soon nothing makes sense. Jesus said "Satan is the father of lies". And it is easy to see why he uses that tool to lead men from God.Lies lead to confusion,crises,chaos and death.