Dear Editor: I read in The Capital Times that the Catholic Church has just added a number of new sins that address pollution, mind-damaging drugs and social injustice. This is appropriate to keep up with the times.However, the Catholic Church is deafeningly silent on the issue of clergy sexual abuse of children.
No one connected with the church that I know of has addressed that issue with the laity. Is it a sin to knowingly assign pedophiles to a round of parishes? Is it a sin to pay victims to keep their mouths shut and then have them sign a statement that if they ever tell about their abuse to repay the money with interest?
I am sure there are scores of Catholics who would like answers to these questions.
Possibly Bishop Robert Morlino could provide answers on a compact disc and send it to all the parishes in the Diocese of Madison.
He could require that the CD be played at all Masses on a Sunday of his choice. He could then require that all priests not express any disagreement with whatever he says or suffer dire consequences.
This action by Bishop Morlino could put these questions to rest once and for all. At the present time, all the Catholic faithful are getting is a lot of papal bull.
Philip Neis
Madison
the Catholic Church has just added a number of new sins that address pollution, mind-damaging drugs and social injustice.
Not strictly speaking true. But certianly promoted with amusement by the secular media.
However, the Catholic Church is deafeningly silent on the issue of clergy sexual abuse of children.
That is not only untrue but almost certainly a lie - a culpable untruth. There have been discussions, letters, articles, programs, announcemnt of programs, diocesan background checks, and so on. I volunteer at my Church in a capacity having nothing to do with children and still had to authorize a background check. After this statement, the rest of the letter cannot be taken seriously.
No one connected with the church that I know of has addressed that issue with the laity.
All these questions have been addressed. I would suggest to this writer that he pull his head out and do some reading. I'd suggest "First Things" as a good place to start.
Alex, could you tell me what exactly it is that this letter sums up pretty well?