[eastsider]

This is a trying time to be a Catholic, brother.

you have to admit that your leadership has been lacking tho

Woefully so. I welcome any constructive suggestions.

[another cricket]

I welcome any constructive suggestions.

Remember that you asked for it. ;~)

I think, (I could be wrong) that the Church appoints Priests to a parish. What about letting the Parish elect the priest? They would have a chance to question the Parish where he was coming from and make at least a semi-informed decision on whether they want this man to lead them. I have noticed the churches, in general, who have the biggest problem with liberalism are those who appoint the church leaders.

There seems to be less of this in the churches that elect their pastors. The congregation serves as a check on the pastor to keep him from going too far off the rails and out of touch with the church body.

There is also swift justice available for wrong doing.

a. cricket

[steve50]

I was raised in the Protestant persuasion and we have had little luck in cleaning up or own act. I think organized religion on the whole has had some very serious problems the last couple of decades. Good luck

[aBootes]

...you have to admit that your leadership has been lacking tho

Woefully so. I welcome any constructive suggestions.

There are undoubtedly others more adept than I at this sort of thing but...

I think that each bishop needs to get a quiet visit from the local community leaders who are Catholic. In it, he needs to be told that the laity now have a zero tolerance policy with regard to this sort of thing. No media, no fanfare, no spin. Just a quiet, serious, heart-to-heart talk.

And then the next time a cleric blows it, either by committing sexual assault or by tolerating it, the laity need to respond by withdrawing from that cleric. No media, no fanfare, no spin. Leave the legal stuff to the cops and the lawyer. Just a quiet, serious, solemn withdrawl.

The sheep follow the Shepherd because he leads them to green pastures. If he leads them into a briar patch, the best thing the sheep can do is refuse to follow.