[Gophack]

I think that the Church could also take care of this problem simply by mandating that male clergy never be alone with small groups of children, but only if the Church punishes them very severely when discovered.

I think this is extreme. We're talking about a very small percentage of actively homosexual priests. We need to change the process of acceptance into seminaries to routinely exclude homosexuals, because homosexuality is against the teachings of God and the Catholic Church.

I have two parish priests and I know both of them well. I would have absolutely no qualms about leaving my children with them. It is indeed sad that in this society today, priests are seen as guilty as a group, when in fact most are holy, good and noble men.

[rbmillerjr]

I have two parish priests and I know both of them well. I would have absolutely no qualms about leaving my children with them.

I leave my child with no priest... alone -- period. Most of the perverts who live in the secular world - appear no different than any other CPA, teacher, executive or neighbor......you simply cant trust your children with anybody. And at this time the Church hasnt demonstrated any comprehensive action to deter or coerce the perverted few to get out of stop their activities.

[elfman2]

" I have two parish priests and I know both of them well. I would have absolutely no qualms about leaving my children with them. "

I have two very good male neighbors who I'd have absolutely no qualms about leaving my children with them. But if I made policy for an institution employing these two and a hundred thousand other men and I lost tens of millions of dollars each time my policies continued to enable molestation by one of them, I'd change the policy.