[american colleen]

A great article, but one thing about it really bothers me. I don't like it when other religions are mentioned as having sexual misconduct problems as well. It doesn't matter, what matters is what kind of problems our own church is having. That is all I care about.

It reminds me of when a little kid is caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and he defends his actions by saying that his brothers and sisters did it too.

[Hibernius Druid]

I read the whole article, but rather quickly. Can it really be that Bishop Tobin has missed the elephant in the living room, i.e., the gay priest issue?

[Sneer]

Your post has merit for its concern; however, his remarks in this regard are aimed at the media in relishing the chance to single out the Catholic church. He is addressing this bias. Another reason the church is singled out is because the entire diocese is legally responsible for the act of one man. Lawyers follow the money as you well know. In a small protestant church the same act doesn't acquire the legal representation because the money isn't there to be had. No legal action, no publicity, no scandal.

[Arthur McGowan]

Notice that you say, of the child with his hand in the cookie jar: "He DEFENDS his action by saying his brothers and sisters do it, too."

Notice that Bishop Tobin DOESN'T defend Catholic sexual abusers by pointing out that others do it, too. He is only pointing out that the media are IGNORING the clergy and personnel of other churches. He is not excusing or defending anyone. He is accusing the media of bias.

[Chemnitz]

The argument that other denominations are just as bad, or even worse, is truly childish. And then to complain about how little publicity the Pentecostal abuser had! I wonder about the character of the bishop. The hierarchy keeps shooting itself in the foot.

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.