Posted on 05/02/2002 8:28:09 AM PDT by Remole
Given the persistent nature of the story, and the likelihood that it will continue, especially with the American Bishops discussing it at our June meeting, I’ve decided that it might be helpful to share a few thoughts with you. More importantly, I’ve decided to write because I’m convinced that there’s lots of nonsense floating around right now, that at least in some cases the Church is not being treated fairly, and that even with all the publicity, many things are not being said that should be said.
The article also fails to mention the inept way the Catholic Church has handled the PR, its failure to make a clear statement of repentance and commitment to change, its failure to hold the top echelon accountable (at least to date), and its execrable record of sealing up lawsuit records and alleging contributory negligence on the part of the parents and minors as a partial defense.
You should have said "When are the Priests who aren't homosexuals, going to speak out forcefully about these criminal priests, and the criminal Bishops who covered up their crimes?"
I think homosexuality and pedohilia are two different things. Apparently, most of the victims were over 12 or 13 and almost all male.
Wish I saw Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy on the show. Did they address the homosexual problem among the clergy at all? For them, maybe it will take some time to forcefully speak out... this evil is so very devastating to all Catholics (goes without saying especially the victims and their families), imagine what it must be like for those in the rank and file priesthood?
I think I've had enough today, it must be time to say prayers and leave it alone for a while. I watched the press conference regarding the arrest of Fr. Shanley in my bedroom and I looked up to the crucifix with the agonized face of Jesus. I cannot imagine his sorrow. What we humans do to him!
As a Christian I'm all for forgiving molesting priests if they truly repent, but that doesn't mean they should stay priests in proximity to children (or stay preists at all, for that matter).
Right -- not to mention a "firm purpose of amendment," etc. And what ever happened to "avoiding near occasions of sin"? What we seem to have had is more like "Go now, and sin some more."
What is "it"? It is individual bishops who have committed these crimes and made these blunders. There really is no "it." The Church is far less centralized than people think it is.
I am not minimizing the crimes. My opinion: We have probably 1000 current priests (about 300 have been accused in the last 40 years) who are guilty of these crimes, and probably about 50 bishops who ought to be in jail for their covering up.
LOL! You have a way with words.
Porking the pooch is a violation of the blue laws though.
I agree that all denominations and helping professions have a problem with this. However, the evil across the street does not justify the evil in one own's house. A better argument is to say that the Roman Catholics have had 15 years to clean up (when the first stories hit) and all they did was cover-up. Rather than brag about being trouble free (who really knows?), the bishop should announce immediate punishment and defrocking of anyone guilty of abusing his religious vocation by taking advantage of anyone. (Notice I said "guilty" and not just "accused.")
People are still talking about the prelate who distinguished between child abuse and having some wine with a 16 year old girl who "returns his love." We all have to wonder what kind of monster would justify this as a priestly function.
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