Catholic institutions preyed on needy kids

When I read this wordy c..p about god, organised religion  ~ I thank my lucky stars my mother was an atheist, as was my grandmother.

If any of you have ever read the prayer threads, you know I'm Catholic, and my heart breaks every time I hear yet another report like this.  Diana, I think you spoke very eloquently about your position and I feel exactly the same as you on all points except the death penalty.  I think there are probably worse punishments, but they would never fly in a man's world, if you know what I mean.  But I don't consider a 6X6 foot cell and 3 squares a day for the rest of your life too harsh a sentence for anyone who abuses a child.

For you Ruth I would consider sequestering all pedophiles on a deserted island surrounded by sharks with only each other for company. Let them have a go at each other...I am sure that would be hell enough!

I emphasized every time in the last paragraph because, like Diana said, it's still going on.  Diana, I'm sure you're familiar with the hundreds of millions of dollars that the Archdiocese of Boston had to pay out over this issue when this same story broke in the US about 5 or 7 years ago.  The Diocese of Phoenix had similar problems and our new bishop instituted a zero tolerance policy.  Under no circumstances is an adult ever to be alone with a minor and you can not participate in any church ministries (communion ministers, religious ed, St. Vincent de Paul, even if you're the person who volunteers to wash the altar linens) without taking a training on the sexual abuse of minors and the diocesan policy.  The diocese keeps the training records and also requires an annual refresher course.  This year's was about technology - cell phones, social networking sites, cyberbullying, etc.

I'm very pleased with the way our diocese is being proactive in the prevention of abuse.  They even instituted a paid staff position (a lay person, not clergy) called the youth protection advocate.

I agree Ruth, it is a good thing and I am glad to see them taking some responsibility, but isn't it sad that such education is even necessary?  

  Krissy, you asked if there's anything we can do and the answer is "h*** yes!  Hold them accountable."  The first year of this training program, the diocese laid out the standard protocol for reporting a case of suspected abuse.  It stipulated that you contact the diocese first.  It was the people in the pews who said, "H*** no!  If we suspect abuse, it is the police who will get the first call."  The county attorney concurred and worked very closely with the diocese to get them to change their policy.  But it was the lay faithful who said, "this is unacceptble and it better d*** well be addressed properly."

I am with the common folks on this one, I too would be calling the police first and I don't care what the repercussions were to my official Catholic standing!

Jason, you said, "Probably defend the religion i'd have thought, and i don't want to offend anybody, like i said i'm sure there is plenty of very good people within the religion, just a lot of bad greedy perverts ruining it for them!!  And that's an important point.  There are a billion Catholics worldwide, so there is bound to be as many bad members among them, proportionately, as any other large institution.  But the fact that it's mostly clergy who are the biggest offenders is really disgusting.  This report that came out in Ireland should name names and begin prosecution of any offenders, no matter how long ago it happened.  They are child molesters and child abusers like any other common criminal and should be treated as such.

I agree with you Ruth, but it's a sad fact that pedophilia, like sexual crimes against women are considered a lessor evil in today's world. Whether it's intended or not; crimes against women and children are not treated with the same importance as a crime against a white man would be. No insult intended to the good men here on POE. I am speaking about our judicial system.

Barbara, I don't think the celibate clergy has anything to do with it.  The celibate clergy is modeled after Jesus himself.  The abuse in the church (and not just the Catholics) isn't limited to priests only.  I don't think they molest children because they're not "getting any."  They're just perverts like any other teacher, coach, minister, uncle or anyone who has the perversion of being a pedophile.

Exactly Ruth. Celibacy is not a sickness nor does it cause perverted behavior. Pedophilia is a deep seated psychological issue that has nothing to do with whether one is celibate or not. Many pedophiles are married men who lead (seemingly) normal sexual lives with their spouse.

The thing that really bothers me about this is that stuff like this drives people away from, not just church or religion, but God.  And although I'm a catholic, I think in the prayer threads I said several times how organized religion can be a hugely destructive force if used as a tool of power and greed.  To anyone watching out there, I would say, don't let religion rob you of faith in God.  God has no religion.  It's people who've perverted Jesus' message of love and compassion.  God is a God of mercy, but he's also a God of justice.

Well said Ruth.

 

hi Ruth!

Asking to affirm predisposition?

	2.	predisposition - an inclination beforehand to interpret statements in a particular way inclination, tendency, disposition - an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others; "he had an inclination to give up too easily"; "a tendency to be too strict" predilection, preference, orientation - a predisposition in favor of something; "a predilection for expensive cars"; "his sexual preferences"; "showed a Marxist orientation"

tell this pap to the pope