[Mark de New Brighton]

Okay - let's stipulate that some priests and other Catholic clerics abused their position, violated their vows and victimized innocent people.

Let's also stipulate that by allowing these priests to commit these acts, the Church hierarchy is complicit. Let's also stipulate that by doing so, the Church hierarchy has handed its enemies an excellent truncheon with which to be beaten. I'd even stipulate that, to an extent, the Church hierarchy deserves a few whacks from the truncheon, especially Cardinal Law, who you mentioned in one of your posts.

But, having said all that, the joke you posted waaaaay back at no. 15 was not funny. Nor is the implication in this post (and others on this thread) that priests as a class abuse people funny. Or accurate. And that's why everyone is so "inflamed." Catholics have had to take a lot of abuse this year, most for things not of our own making, and yes, some of us are a wee bit sensitive about that.

Whether it was your intention or not, by making light initially about what these shaved apes did in the Cathedral, you opened yourself up to charges of Catholic bashing. In other words, like the Church, you handed those who would bash you a truncheon. And if you step back from things a bit and look at the words you wrote, you should be able to see why some posters took your ham-handed attempts at humor as Catholic bashing.

I have met probably 100 priests in my lifetime. One priest in particular was a lousy human being, a pedantic, self-important windbag. Others I've known hit the bottle too much. One priest I've met is no longer a priest because he was convicted of sexual assault. Another priest I knew left the priesthood because he married my aunt. Priests are human beings and as a result they are subject to all of the same temptations and failings as anyone else. But the vast majority of priests I know are honest, decent servants of God, who care deeply for their ministry and are horrified by what has happened. We have a lot of wounds to heal and a lot of damage to repair. As a Catholic, I'd like to get on with that work and hurtful comments such as what you posted at no. 15 don't help. Nor does some radio show trying to desecrate St. Patrick's.

I take you at your word that you are Catholic. I also hope that someday you will understand why what you've posted here has "inflamed" so many people and that you will join those of us who are trying to repair the breach, instead of throwing off one liners.

Peace,
MdNB

[stanz]

I still think my one-liner was amusing and, a few others do as well, despite the views of all the inflamed Freepers.
It was not sacreligious. And I said I did not condone the acts of people who took part in the prank. This, after all, is a forum in which participants are encouraged to submit their own views. I did not name-call or fling insults as others have done to me. I have only defended my one-liner with statements which I believe to be true. If people don't wish to agree, that is their right. What else is there to say?