Vatican secret confession tribunal opens

Your sister-in-law's experience is sad and unfortunately all too common Shirley. 

Although, Catholic by choice (as opposed to cradle born), I decided along time ago that when it comes to certain moral issues, God will be my judge, not the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. 

For instance: I believe in using birth control as long as the method used, prevents pregnancy, rather than aborts it. I also believe that Christ is my confessor and I don't need any man, priest or not, as a go between.  I keep these and other personal beliefs to myself and figure I'll answer to God for my choices one day and I think he'll be a far more merciful judge than most would believe.

 I think your an smart lady Diana..to not let anything become your "God"  before the "Godhead" himself..commandment No. 1 for humanity...put not other "Gods" before thee. People have asked me when I see "JC", why I think I see him, and I said one time, because that's whom I hold dear to me, whom I confessed to an preacher and accepted as my savior...same thing for my healing when I do them, "God" comes "within" me...to do the healing, it's not me doing it..I am but the insturment.  You can't do that, if you have others more important to you. I was asked one time, "would you kill your husband if you were mad (jealous) enough..I said, "No"..and they said..then you don't love him..to which I replied, my hubby is/are like my parents, they are an real help to my life while I  am living, but "God" covers life here and immortailty on the "other side"...to hold them above God, would make them "Gods"...and that they are not as yet to my knowledge. That does not mean I don't love them, just that I would not kill another because of  them. I don't know if that made me right or wrong, just how I feel about it right now I guess.