No they aren't.
The Catholic clergy are far more guilty because they know better.
The issue isn't that it happened. Sadly, stuff like that happens everywhere because there is simply no way of preventing it. Someone bound and determined to molest children WILL find a way.
The real atrocity is the Catholic church turning a blind eye to it, covering it up. protecting the priests, moving them around to molest more unsuspecting boys.
IOW, the RCC enabled the molesters. That makes them just as responsible as if they had done it themselves.
Even in a secular court of law, if someone does not prevent a crime that they know is occurring, they are culpable as well and can be charged and sentenced for the crime.
The Church hierarchy did nothing more than stand outside the door and keep an eye out for witnesses while the crimes were being committed.
And then they have the NERVE to *consecrate* the host, lifting it up in their hands, believing that they are turning the host into the body and blood of Jesus, with those same hands that molested those little boys.
How is that not worse than others doing it? How are teachers and scout leaders far more guilty of crime than that priest?
Thank you for affirming that.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. - Luke 12:48
The teachers, ministers etc. are not "more guilty" nor did I say that...there were just more of them.
the Catholic church did not handle the situation as well as should have been expected, but they've certainly gotten a handle on it and now have very strict methods concerning future possible situations.
the effecacy of a sacrament does not depend on the state of sin which the minister of that sacrament is in....it probably effects his own soul, but not the sacrament. Consecration, even by a man who is not in the state of grace is no less effective than by a man in perfect harmony with God.
and protestant clergy, teachers, scout leaders think it's O.K.?????? what do you mean they know better???