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Roman Catholic clerical sexual abuse, circa 1958.

Pope Francis recently scolded Catholic bishops for pushing too hard and moving too fast in their investigations of clerical sexual abuse. They should "make room for the gentle breeze that the Gospel alone can offer."

I have a different suggestion concerning how fast they should proceed. How about the speed with which a priest can stick his fingers into a kid's underpants?

BillFJ 3 Jan 20
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6 comments

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1

Into it for themselves for over TWO THOUSAND YEARS. Now in multiple splinters.

1

Also remember that Francis didn't have a problem with the Junta.

1

Ah, Wanky Frankie, the Puppet Pope, aka Protector of Paedophile Employees, making yet another insipid and useless statement when what he should be doing is publicly EXPOSING ALL Paedophile Priests regardless.
But I'd hazard a guess that that wouldn't happen since he's most probably done a bit of kiddy fiddling and Nun Noodling during his time as well.

4

Off to jail with all of them, even the ones who did nothing but knew about it and hid it.

If there was any justice

@Paul_Clamberer There is, but not always in the form we think.

0

The current Pope has a no tolerance & no pardon policy for sexual abusers and molesters. So he agrees with you.

Surely you jest there Sir, he's just a selected figure-head type puppet who simply parrots off what he is TOLD to say by the Cardinals.

@Triphid it's moot who said it as it is being implemented.

Maybe maybe maybe. But he wants everyone take their sweet time ferreting out the predators. That makes him a big part of the problem, not in any way a part of the solution.

@BillFJ I see you guys say that. But I couldn't find any announcements or news to suggest it.

@Biosteelman I read the Pope's entire letter in "The National Catholic Reporter." I've read credible reports of what he's done, is doing, and is not doing, in "The Nation," "The Atlantic," "The New York Times," and "Commonweal."

@BillFJ See I found it contrary to what you're saying. for example after allegations in July were made against an Archbishop. He was immediately suspended and removed from the church for life or until he is cleared of allegations. Even after the suspension the church continued its research into the matter. I'm assuming to either clear him or hand over evidence found to the authorities. Which of the two I don't know.

Predator (many credible reports) Argentine Bishop Gustavo Zanchetto retired for "health reasons." Francis created a new position for him as "assessor" of the Holy See's office of financial administration. The good bishop was put out to pasture recently, only after a world-wide outcry. I don't perceive this as "zero tolerance."

@BillFJ
They retired him for his "Authoritarianism and other inappropriate behaviour" they had no reports of Child abuse. Until months ago.<< let's see what they do now?
[google.com]

I've read articles that stated the health reasons but the real reason was to get him out of there.

They have continued to say.
“Knowing the gravity of all types of abuse, the bishop is available to anyone who would like to present a complaint to begin the corresponding procedure for canonical justice, while recalling the right of all victims of abuse to seek ordinary justice,” via civil authorities, the statement said.

Dear Biosteelman - I went back and read a number of reports. Some support what you write. Some support what I write. I find my sources credible enough and so I'll stick with my opinion...There were, for instance, claims of sexual abuse about him from the first complaint. For sure you have credible sources that say otherwise. I respect your opinion.

The big issue: I think our group needs this kind of discussion. We agnostics and atheists are so often condemned for our amorality and immorality. But the Catholic Church doesn't seem to hold much credibility at present....Thousands and thousands of abuse claims from over 100 countries (Wikipedia gives a list). I can't find an estimated total of survivors or of abusive priests.

But it's clear: The Church is mired in its own immorality. It's nothing new...is part of the Church's fabric, going back more than 1,000 years. In the 11th century, Cardinal Peter Damian cried out about rampant sexual abuse. Pope Leo IX tightened canon law "drastically." It was okay to diddle with children as long as you didn't sodomize them. And that prohibition was very soon ignored, especially when Nicholas II became pope. All along, there have been two great evils co-existing in the Church: (1) Sexual abuse of children; and (2) Cover-ups by the Church hierarchy. Having been raised a Catholic and having so benefited from it, I'd like to see the Church change. I hope that Francis can do it, but I have grave doubts. Maybe he's gotten the message now. His Church is hurting and needs to be fixed.

4

The church shouldn't be allowed to "investigate" ANY of the predatory priests, and other church staff, themselves.
All their records should be seized and law enforcement should be doing ALL the investigating.
No cover-ups, no more musical priests/parishes.
The pope can shut up and get out of the way.

I absolutely agree. The law enforcement authorities and agencies should be the ones to do ALL investigating.

@irascible I think you'll find they still 'own' many politicians, especially those in the LNP since being a Catholic is a trait of the LNP membership or at least having allegiance to one of the 'off-shoots' such the Hillsong Church, etc like ScumMo for example.

@MST3K I think the police should indeed be investigating. They can compensate for all the decades when they said, "We don't interfere. We let the Church take care of its own house." I heard this. I was sexually abused. So let's hope they get on the ball and make up for lost time.

@irascible Me too, Mate, me too.

@irascible It's appalling how often law enforcement, throughout the world, has looked the other way.
They should be held accountable as well.

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