[metmom]

I just know the accusation isn't proof.

Nobody ever said it was.

I'll repeat it again for anyone unbiased enough to read a non-Catholic opinion without reading into it what they want.

Everyone recognizes that abuse is going to happen. It's virtually impossible to prevent.

That's not the issue here or in the trial. The problem is that the abuse was known and nothing was done about it except measures to protect the priests. They weren't disciplined, or defrocked, or turned over to the authorities. They were covered up and moved around and basically given access to fresh game.

Sexual abuse has been an issue in the Catholic church for over a thousand years. Just how long are people expected to not speak up about it? How long are people expected to wait for something to be done?

In non-Catholic situations, say, public schools for example, the perps are arrested and charged and the districts participate with the authorities in seeing justice done. It's a sad state of affairs that the Catholic church cannot do as well as public schools in addressing the issue of abusers in their midst.

THAT'S the issue.

If the Catholic church had acted appropriately when abuse was found out, nobody would have anything to criticize them for. All the flak they're taking is their own fault. They have no one to blame but themselves.

[Gamecock]

***THAT’S the issue.***

Amazing how FRoman Catholics insist that this is Catholic bashing. Kindda makes you wonder....

[Quix]

Thx for the pings.

[stevem]

The problem is that the abuse was known and nothing was done about it except measures to protect the priests. They weren't disciplined, or defrocked, or turned over to the authorities. They were covered up and moved around and basically given access to fresh game...THAT'S the issue.

This part goes without dispute. Bishops who enabled are as guilty as the abusers. They should join the abusers in prison.

Something tells me all bishops aren't enablers.

[redgolum]

Just a point of order.

In public schools, the teachers is often given a good recommendation and told to leave town. My wife is a high school teacher, and that happens so often it isn’t even remarked much anymore.

The most recent one was a pregnant band teacher and a cheerleader. That did make the news, only because the husband (who filed for divorce) called the paper.

[muawiyah]

No one knows how effective the public schools are at ferreting out and disposing of pedophiles.