E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSThe leader of the Scottish Catholic Church, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behavior, involving four priests in the 1980s. The Cardinal used his resignation to apologize to those he'd offended. ITV's Lewis Vaughan Jones report.
LONDON — Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behavior made by priests.
The Vatican said Monday that Pope Benedict XVI had formally accepted the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien, archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. The Observer newspaper reported Sunday that the Vatican had been notified of allegations of inappropriate behavior stretching back 30 years.
Three priests in Scotland, as well as a former priest, have lodged complaints to the Vatican's ambassador to Britain and demanded O'Brien's immediate resignation, according to the newspaper.
The 74-year-old cardinal has contested the claims and said he is taking legal advice.
O’Brien had been prepared to resign, citing his age as the cause. He turns 75 on March 17, and the Vatican said the pope had in November accepted a resignation letter under the condition of “nunc pro tunc,” meaning “now for later.”
The Vatican said Monday, however, that the pontiff had now accepted the resignation “definitively.”
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images, file
The Vatican confirmed Monday that it had accepted the resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien, 74.
It means O'Brien will not take part in the conclave to elect the pope's successor - a process that could begin earlier than March 15 after the rules governing the process were changed in a move announced Monday.
O’Brien said in a statement that it was the pope himself who had decided his resignation would take effect immediately.
“Approaching the age of 75 and at times in indifferent health, I tendered my resignation … some months ago,” he said. “The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today.”
O'Brien would have been Britain's only elector in the papal conclave that will gather to decide on a successor to Benedict XVI.
"I will not join them for this conclave in person," O'Brien said. "I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me -- but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor."
A hint of O’Brien’s accelerated resignation was found Sunday in Edinburgh, when the cardinal did not appear as scheduled to lead a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Instead, Bishop Stephen Robson made a statement on O’Brien’s behalf.
“A number of allegations of inappropriate behavior have been made against the cardinal,” the statement said. “The cardinal has sought legal advice, and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time. There will be further statements in due course.”
Robson is an auxiliary prelate in the Edinburgh diocese.
O'Brien's statement went on to say: "I have valued the opportunity of serving the people of Scotland and overseas in various ways since becoming a priest. Looking back over my years of ministry: For any good I have been able to do, I thank God. For any failures, I apologize to all whom I have offended."
Controversy
O’Brien had gained a reputation as a hard-line conservative and opponent of gay rights.
In 2009, O’Brien urged the Scottish National Party to abandon plans to give gay couples the same foster-parenting rights as straight ones, calling the idea “misguided” and saying that gays were known for unstable relationships.
Scandals are still on the minds of Catholics as Benedict's time as pope grows short. NBC's Ann Thompson reports.
Last year, he wrote an editorial in the Daily Telegraph in which he urged people to stand up against a proposal to allow gay marriage, which he said was “madness.” He referred then to same-sex marriage as a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right.”
O’Brien’s stance and other comments led the gay rights group Stonewall UK last year to nominate him for its “Bigot of the Year” award.
“Ten-thousand people overwhelmingly, decisively voted that he should be given that award,” said Colin MacFarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland. “We don’t call people a bigot because they disagree with us. We reserve that for people who use the kind of language the cardinal has used. He has gone out of his way. It has not been fair discourse. His language has been cruel, hurtful and pernicious.”
The group's response to news of O'Brien's resignation was unsurprising.
“We trust there will now be a full investigation into the serious allegations made against Cardinal O’Brien,” MacFarlane said. “We hope his successor will show a little more Christian charity towards openly gay people than the cardinal did himself.”
Two weeks ago, the pope’s brother, the Rev. Georg Ratzinger, said scandals had troubled Benedict XVI and may have contributed to his decision to retire.
He specifically mentioned that Benedict had been bothered by the "Vatileaks" scandal in which a butler leaked secret documents, as well as the "the relationship to the Pius Brotherhood."
That organization, formally known as the Society of St. Pius X, fell into a harsh public spotlight in December when its leader, Bishop Bernard Fellay, said Jews were "the enemies of the church." His comment drew criticism from all corners of the church and from the public in general.
Georg Ratzinger said he thought his brother had handled those problems well but that they had taken their toll.
Related:
LA's Cardinal Mahony says he is a 'scapegoat'
Inside the Vatican: The $8 billion global institution where nuns answer the phones
Vatican history of 'cover-ups and disarray' will challenge new pope
This story was originally published on Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:55 AM EST
Leave a Comment:
Wow
The media loves to bring down the Catholic church every chance they get. Why don't we hear of these type of cases in other religions. They do happen you know. The article does not even state what the issues are. Maybe he had affairs with women. Maybe he stole money. All wrong but is it really front page news of a British cleric?
So...how's that celibacy thing working out for you guys?
PS to AnotherMiddleClass: When you hold yourself up as the supreme moral arbiter of the world, and something like this happens, over and over again, just what do you expect "the media" to do? Ignore this crap?
The problem was with the systematic cover-up by the priesthood of child sex-abuse cases by the priest, all the way up to the Pope. The priest's narcissistic obsession with themselves instead of the church and it's victims has brought this down on the entire church. And there are still priest that are known pedophiles being protected by them. They will have no credibility until they clean up their own house.
Instead of calling them cardinals they should call them vultures.
The faithful will protect their own image by saying that these are isolated incidents, and that it happens in other places also. Yet they keep popping up. This is not a guy who engaged in such activities, but one of the scum who helped to cover those activities up. He should have to read about it in every news outlet across the globe. AnotherMiddleClass, would you let your children do something just because other kids did it also?
Mexico's Communists: The allegations are of adult homosexual advances, not pedophilia. Huge difference.
if every one resigned that had some dark skeletons like these, there'd be no one left to pope vote.
FlyOverMe, thats right there are huge differences. There are no listed penalties for pedophelia specifically in the bible, but there is for homosexuality.
If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. (Leviticus 20:13 NIV)
@AnotherMiddleClass
Because they keep it on the down low. They're probable all as bad.
They should all burn!
Will you people stop quoting the Bible; it's just a stupid book.
@TamraBattuellonww235
Enough. Just stop.
I don't remember much of the American hypocritical Christian right (Graham, McCain, McConnell, etc...) complaining about this as much as they are complaining about remarks Hagel may have made about Jews/Israel. Hypocrites!!!
Maybe it's because Americans (73-76%) say the "the United States is a Christian nation", but most don't act like Christians.
Here's the hypocritical part, Catholic Priests like having sex with "little boys," but are openly against gays/lesbians. Interesting huh? Not really, just regular hypocrites.
Somehow I don't think these things occur with the same frequency in most other churches. Particularly those without the celibacy requirement. And do you really think this involves women. The odds are stacked against it.
Why would a loving God give a man genitalia and reproductive organs and then suggest he not use them? Clearly this does not work. And some innocent ends up on the receiving end of all that frustration. Just give them hairshirts!
"The media loves to bring down the Catholic church every chance they get."
"I think thee protest too much."
The Church should shut it's doors, they have done enough damage in the name of God...
Seems, it's always the ones that preach hatred of gays so much, turns out to be in a closet all by themselves...
"Why don't we hear of these type of cases in other religions."
Another supposed holy man with hard eyes. You would think a man who is at peace with his faith and following a real calling to help others would have a more peaceful look in his eyes.
And Jerry, please don't insult vultures! They don't prey on innocents or hide crimes, and they don't abuse their authority to get sex. They do a wonderful job for all of us...unlike the priests who have hurt others.
So the gay community of the UK called him bigot of the year.
Is that so, McFarlane? Welcome to the USA endoctrination. In my country you are a bigot if you merely roll your eyes or frown when the gay life style is mentioned. Many people are denied positions here in which they would be a great asset or leader because they disagree with the gay life style.
So the gay community of the UK called him bigot of the year.
Is that so, McFarlane? Welcome to the USA endoctrination. In my country you are a bigot if you merely roll your eyes or frown when the gay life style is mentioned. Many people are denied positions here in which they would be a great asset or leader because they disagree with the gay life style.
seems like real news would be a preist that isnt a scumbag.a continuing issue isnt news.
Shut the Vatican down.
What other organization would be allowed to operate with this type of scandal dating back for as long as it does and affecting the numbers that it has?
You people have blinders on if you don't think this doesn't happen in other Church's and yes we Catholics, the good and the bad, should be held accountable as we should know better. But people comment as if all priests molest children and marriage is the answer. Most pedophiles are married, so that's not the answer. And if it was meant for priest to be married, Jesus would have taken a wife, the apostles would have married or stayed with their wives but they didn't and just like priest they sacrifice marriage for God.
Of course surprise Catholics speak out against homosexuality and he gets an award for bigot of the year. Homosexuality is wrong and I'm sorry it's a choice, that is a fact and there is no scientific fact that proves otherwise. All studies that have been done were not conducted properly and even the scientist that preformed these studies admits they’re flawed as well as the people that studied the test. However I do have a comment about gays.
A marriage of a man and a man or woman and a woman is wrong and does defile marriage but it was straights that defiled marriage first. Don't blame gays for jumping on an already rolling wagon. The only people that can complain about gays being married are the people who have fought the fight of staying together and no falling into that immorality of divorce. 50% of all marriages end in divorce and people are upset at the gays. Homosexuality is wrong but how can people cast stones when people can marry and divorce as many times as they want. That’s defiling marriage now!!! And what’s worse, protestant churches allow this all the time. People leave the Catholic Church because a good priest will tell them; “no” you can’t get married. You were married properly and all the laws were followed, you shouldn’t be divorced and an annulment is out of the question. That is a true Sheppard. Someone who places your soul above worldly desires, which is what divorce and homosexuality is, worldly desires.
Telling gays that their choice is an abomination or that choosing that life style is damning is also the truth and in today’s world is looked upon as bigotry. No one wants to hear that their desires are no good are upsetting. However there is a right way and a wrong way and sometimes you just have to be blunt.
The board cop will probably not approve of this but I'll take my chances.
The cruse ship is sinking. The last of the life boats is being loaded. But we have a problem. Left on board is a Catholic Priest, a Jewish Rabbi, a lawyer and 6 little boys. The lifeboat has room for either the 6 little boys or the 3 adults but everybody. The Rabbi says --- Children are the future. We will stay on the ship and die with dignity so that the children may live. The lawyer says --- Hey, to hell with that, screw those kids. The priest responds ---- DO WE HAVE TIME???
Catholics need to change with times.
"Three priests in Scotland, as well as a former priest, have lodged complaints to the Vatican's ambassador to Britain and demanded O'Brien's immediate resignation,"
Why be too rigid and get kicks?
Be a bit liberal; permit gay/lesbian marriages; tolerate marriage of priests; have women priests and be strict with accounting of church funds.
Hope Catholics will prosper in this century by moving with times.
Charlie,
I was raised as a catholic my whole life, but that @!$%# was funny!!!
I'm going to use that one.
AnotherMiddleClass
The media loves to bring down the Catholic church every chance they get.
------------------
Sorry to burst your little bubble but they (the Catholic Church) are doing a fine job all by themselves.
I'm a catholic (not practicing) and laugh at roughly 90% of hat these guys say as doctrine and honestly feel as if the church will do itself in within the next 50 years (or less). You just can't be so obtuse and live in this big of a bubble in an ever changing world and expect to survive. Will Catholicism go away? Nope- but something will evolve from it, something that is more in-tune with today's world.
If the reason for the award was simply what he said about the "gay community", then it is they(gays) that should be given the award. Why can't a "straight" person express an opinion that is unquestionable in the majority and not be labeled as a bigot. I am not a fan of the catholic church. They are a blight on so-called religion. The gay community is the most intolerant, hypocritical bunch of losers in our society today. You will NEVER be accepted in mainstream society. GET OVER IT!!!!!!
Joey:
And you believe that reasoning? Jesus never asked nor required anyone not to marry. He didn't live long enough himself to possibly marry. So why aren't nuns allowed to marry? Who are they supposed to be emulating? If it's Mary, she was married.
Do you want to know the truth as to why priests are not allowed to marry? Both of my great grandfathers were married Greek catholic priests. Once they immigrated here in the early 19th century, the pope declared their wives, my great grandmothers, as "legal mistresses" and were ordered to turn over all of their property, or face ex communication. If they were truly "following Christ's lead", no priests throughout history would have been allowed to marry, though many were allowed at one time or another and did.
Unmarried church "employees" leave no heirs. It's time to stop kidding yourself, Joey. It's all about the money.
Always, follow the money.
how dare this man say the things he did about homosexuality when in his own domain what is going on, is what he should be calling out and I bet he has covered up enough of it and maybe he is one of them. There needs to be one big clean up in the catholic church cause I'm willing to bet they all have at one time or another abused a child, that's why they join the church to have access to boys. Religion is nothing more than people having control over others. They are cults, all of them. Some are just more obvious, but all do not follow what they preach.
disolve all religious organizations and start again....sometimes you gotta start fresh
Debi-1314897
-----
".....it's all about the money"
------
you are 100% spot on - but you also forgot to mention AND power. Money and Power- that's been their goal for 2k years.
O'Brien:
"I thought circle-jerk is not gay if you don't touch d!cks"
Reply to Joey2843551:
Some apostles were married, for example Peter (whom you claim the Pope preceeded from...) was married; his mother-in-law was mentioned in Matthew 8:14.
Shocking....not... Doesn't surprise me in the slightest since the outspoken activists against gays are always the people who have gay tendencies that they deny. O ya and Joey, studies have SHOWN not that you care or choose to believe since the data may be "skewed" , that the men that were the most outspoken about hating gays are the same men that became most aroused on average when watching gay porn. Scientists would place a meter on their penises to judge blood flow. This is science unless you don't think getting an erection is a sign of being turned on in an adult male.... I'm comfortable with my sexuality therefore don't care what gays choose to do they are people like everyone else with tendencies.
Methinks thou protesteth too much.
Priest can't be marry because there would be no heir to inherit the property.
It's all about the money, follow the trail and it will lead up to Vatican with massive consumption of money on lavish life style.
The rest masquerade as priests.
"Debi-1314897 - So why aren't nuns allowed to marry? Who are they supposed to be emulating? If it's Mary, she was married."
One little correction there - Mary wasn't yet married, but got impregnated by God (wink, wink...) and she had a child out of wedlock! Gotta wonder about that...
Methinks that this entire religion was started by a family who didn't want to deal with the shame, stygma and the problems caused by a daughter getting pregnant before marriage.
No, Jesus was married and produced offspring. He was a Jewish rabbi and all rabbis were married at that time.
The Roman Catholic Church. The sanctuary for pedaphiles and sexual deviants.
ILLEGAL Mexicans would be closer to the truth...oblamo loves spending American taxpayers money to support theses Illegals...fyi
Another FYI for you.
This article isn't about Obama, or oblama as you childishly put it.
We have had an illegal problem for 50 years. You're just realising it now?
Lastly, it's Congress that is spending the money, not the President.
GORDO13 ; Do you have any proof or facts about what you are saying? Or, are you just spewing more hate and anger of the Nazi Propaganda/ Tea Garbage kind?
and nazis and their gold
.oblamo loves spending American taxpayers money to support theses Illegals...
Another uninformed ditto-head repeating what Rush the junkie and Fox Entertainment tells him to say --- like a well trained parrot. President Obama has deported more illegals is 4 years than your hero Bush did in 8 years. The vast majority of illegals entered this nation between 2000 and 2007 while Bush and his cronies looked the other way. It's called cheep labor and Republican business people loved it.
"Do you have any proof or facts about what you are saying"
Facts?? From a ditto-head?? Facts mean nothing to them. Ditto-heads only repeat what their cult leader trains them to say.
Ok, let's correct all the deficiencies of Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter and any before them.....throw their illegal asses out. Then they can start the process of coming in legally and be welcomed with open arms.....Got a problem with that?
Got a problem with that? Yes. It would be impossible to throw them out (I'll avoid your crass expression) Suppose you tell us where we will get the money, the personnel, and the buses, trains and planes to move 11 million people from all parts of the country to whatever country they came from. Can't be done. And don't try to snow us about your open arms.
When we allow them to gain legal green card status, they begin to pay taxes. "TAXES" they don't pay now. How many illegals now? 14 or 15 Million. Average them at minimum wage $9 per hour. 40 hours. Total Gross $360.00 per week. Average 33% take withholding between FDIC, Medicaid, Etc. equals around $6000.00 each per year times say just 10,000,000 equals only $60 billion "$60,000,000,000 a year!!!!", @!$%# why not bother with illegal aliens. Add to that they are the most accountable and productive workers on the job and at what??? $9.00 an hour. Gimmee a break. If you really look at it. The Neoclowns just can't take a real look at a brown USA. It is going to happen. And someday in the future, I know I'll never see it. You may see a much larger United States of America with new states as in Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Guatemala, etc. It will happen when the people have Representatives of Government who truly represent We The People and stop the journey of failure as the countries like Greece, Rome, Nazi Germany, Africa, Can't leave out Egypt etc, etc have driven down. The wealthy converted their newly owned real estate into bastions of greed. And so as they died so will a Country that is like no other. It's Called "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". God Bless America!!!
I thought this story was about the highest ranking member of the Catholic Church in Britian resigning, not Obama and undocumented immigrants.
Time for another Vatican Council to allow married clergy and the ordination of women. Not that married and female clergy will solve all the Church's ills, but it's a start.
Another one bites the dust!
I don't think he was biting dust unless the bishopricks were dusty.
well most of em are old....
I say CUE THE RICO PROSECUTION NOW - fer cryin' out loud, if this were an Italian social club, a bunch of NYC thugs or even Scientologists, these criminals would be locked up and sued back to 1400 A.D. And yes, the media DOES delight in bringing down corrupt organizations. Better be glad they do or we'd all be living in the Republicant dream as envisioned by Nixon - YOU know, the only one in history who tried to control the US economy like a Socialist AND handed over American manufacturing to the Reds. Yeah, it's the medias fault when a child is anally raped (that's what we're talking about here) why don't you Catholic lapdogs obey the Bible and EXECUTE the PRIESTS (if a man lie with a man...) - hypocrisy, the lifeblood of religion. If these pigs were ANYONE else, they'd be in prison getting themselves raped AND a few hundred former victims would OWN the Vatican...
And instead, we're living in the Democrat dream as envisioned by Obama, you know, the one where we spend ourselves to prosperity and print money out of thin air....and hand over American mfg to China (yeah, them Reds)? I lived under Nixon...wasn't nearly as bad as the current iteration.
It began with Nixon. China stole the rest of it. But just think of this. If China and the US were to get nasty to each other, what would they gain? China would lose the biggest fattest customer in this world. The US's Richest and Fattest Corporations would lose it's cheapest manufacturers in the world. Big Unions in China. If an employee gets out of line there they they could call on the government to accuse them of some governmental lie and off for a 1 hour stay into a dark cell. There they would be handed their one last manufactured product. A bullet to the back of the head. And so much for Obama having something to do with this conversation. It's about the MEN who carry their version of the message of God. You know forgiveness of sins. Assist when in suffrage. Can't get married at the alter if not baptised or served holy communion. Don't really want you around if you can't do anything for them or if you have seen something suspicious. The Catholic Church wants to keep a 1940's status with a whore's resume. Free up all the documents. Let the chips fall where they may. Rebuild a new cleaner more obligated to God's Children and not there toys. Keep their sick humanity in check with marriage. We allow gay marriage now so why do they become hypocrites about it all? To raise funds in objection to these so called sins. How much longer will this stuff go on. It's not only in the Catholic Church. Many of the Religions have become cults with a lot of $$$. Is the good they do stronger than the harm. Ask a child who has been on the end of their sick behavior.
What a hypocrite... he needs to practice what he preaches.
I didn't not even know I was out drinking with a Priest one time until I got up to go to the bathroom and asked him if I could push in his stool. GMUS, good luck, off to where they are dumb enough to give me a paycheck. Peace!
I have never understood how the Bible teaches that a Bishop must be the husband of one wife, and that
forbidding to marry is a doctrine of devils, and yet the RCC demands celibacy of it's priests.
No wonder they have so much trouble, ignoring the Bible the way they do.
Jesus didn't have a Bible. The apostles didn't have Bibles. The Church existed before the Bible did, and in fact created it from approved books. Some Catholic priests CAN be married, including eastern rite priests and, and married Anglican priests who become Catholics. I agree, all priests (except members of religious orders) should be able to marry.
HANS ; Gee, I always thought that King James and his Church of England consolidated selected old manuscripts to create the Bible. I didn't know the Catholic Church was the soul owner of Religion and the Bible.
ROFLMFAO
"HANS ; Gee, I always thought that King James and his Church of England consolidated selected old manuscripts to create the Bible. I didn't know the Catholic Church was the soul owner of Religion and the Bible."
MY reply is, "Huh?"
1. The Church of England translated the Bible into English. It didn't "create" the Bible.
2. I didn't say that the Catholic Church "owned" religion or the Bible. I said that the CHURCH (not "Catholic Church) held councils early on to determine which books would become the Bible, a fact that even Anglicans acknowledge. My point, in response to a comment from Old TIme Democrat, was that the Church existed before the Bible did. Your above comment takes mine out of context and is pointless.
"No wonder they have so much trouble, ignoring the Bible the way they do."
And you DON'T ignore parts of the Bible? Or do you own slaves, kill your disobedient sons, and beat your wife, all sanctioned by it? Rather hypocritical.
The Bible doesn't say that they shouldn't marry. That is a miss guided version they came up with on their own. No Jesus wasn't married. These men cannot compare themselves to Jesus. Jesus was born a perfect human to equal Adam and pay for the sin that Adam and eve brought upon mankind. He was here for a purpose and he knew that the purpose wasn't to get married and start a family. They could marry women if they choose to. The Bible states that Adam and Eve were created to fill the earth and subdue it. So God in fact married the couple. If they want to pattern their lives after Jesus then raping little boys isn't the way.
St. Paul advised Christians to be celibate like him, if they could. It's in the Bible, and this is what Christian celibacy is based on. But Paul added that it was better to marry than to burn with lust. For several centuries, priests DID marry, unless they were bishops or monastics, a practice still held in the Orthodox Church. Roman Catholic eastern rite priests DO get married, and married Anglican priests coming into the Catholic Church may stay married, so there really is no DOGMATIC teaching against it. It's a custom, nothing more. The "raping little boys" thing is disingenuous by the way. Most priests don't rape or molest ANYONE, and most pedophiles aren't priests; they are married men, many of them Christians. You might want to broaden your admonishment.
p.s. If Jesus never recommended celibacy to His followers, where did St. Paul get off doing so? Seems it isn't just Catholics who allegedly "change or ignore" the simple teachings of Christ. Those who wrote down Scripture did so too, especially Paul.
This is the problem I have as well. The words of Jesus passing through imperfect men to get to us. I have heard people say they have studied the book of ----- for over -- years. If that is the case, then what's the point. Why should that be necessary? The bible is either overly complicated via artistic license or is so esoteric in it's teaching, we have no idea what a lot of it really means. So we endlessly fight over it.
So if Adam and Eve F&^%ed up so bad that their sin would be magically passed on to their progeny forever, it seems to me that a smart god would have just made Adam and Eve sterile and started over with Heather and Derek. Problem solved. No need for a savior. No need for Jesus. No need for priests, nuns, popes or the church.
However, some VERY smart individuals realized the great potential of convincing the masses that they will be tortured for infinity if they don't believe what they say. And of course, that they can't help them be saved without generous tithing. What a scam!! And its worked for thousands of years!
The RCC have their own set of doctrine, the bible has nothing to do with their doctrine. Priests in the Hebrew scriptures (old testament) came from the decendants of Aaron, Moses brother and the underpriests came from Levi (one of the sons of the 12 of Israel wich made of the Levitical priessthood. Various animals were offered up as sacrifices for sins and antonement because the nation of Israel did not live up to the law covenant, Christ Jesus became the high priest for all of mankind, The RCC has no basis for a priesthood according to the scriptures. Christ Jesus is the mediator between God and men, no need for any RCC priest. Yes, the priest in the bible were allowed to marry.
The Church didn't formally forbid priests to marry until the 12th Century in the 2nd Latern Council. And this was after Gregory VII issuing a decree against clerical marriages. It is time for the Church to end this practice. If deacons can be married and do just about everything BUT celebrate Mass, the Church should let priests marry. But then, it is easier to control your clergy (and cheaper) if you don't have to worry about a family.
catholic church is filled with such bs. what has happened up to this point is just the beginning of an implosion.
You are probably right. But what's sad is that nominal Catholics apparently haven't seen enough evil to walk out of the door. That's a tragic failure of morality.
anyone who goes by a morality of self has no buisness commenting on anyone elses morality
Okay, unless I'm missing something - he didn't molest children, and allegations about inappropriate behavior with adults go back 30 years? Who's to say that he didn't get his act together and change since then? What about the Christian principal of forgiveness that his priest-accusers aren't exhibiting? I don't agree with this man's position on homosexuality, but it seems that his only "crime" was breaking his vows of celibacy and chastity, which are church related matters, but like I said, maybe I missed something in news stories?
I'm glad they're finally turning on their own--this should have been done years ago. Confessing and asking for forgiveness isn't nearly enough for the trauma they caused their victims.
It's too bad they can't be sanctioned, fined, like PENN STATE was. Talk about a double standard!
Which parts of your book are you choosing to accept??
If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. (Leviticus 20:13 NIV)
You forget Hans there is a blooming heathenistic regressive liberal society out there now. Forgiveness isn't in their selfish and self-centered way of life.
right, "put to death" but it doesnt say u are supposed to do it, and if u choose to judge them, it also says u are in danger of hellfire. it is gods place to judge and/or condemn, not ours. jesus spent time and ate with sinners, didnt treat em bad, or tell em they were going to hell, he treated them with respect and love, shouldnt we do the same?
let him who is without sin cast the first stone, none of us should even have a handful of dust to throw.
Drezz, nice try. Then by your logic, it does not say to do anything else right now either. The bible is rife with condemnation and judgement of others. I love the excuses when you have to look at the parts of your book that you do not like.
Forgiveness is one thing but to allow a person who is in a position of trust in an area of upmost importance to continue to be a LEADER after such a fundemental betrayal to the core principles is very much another thing. Show me where it says i sould forgive AND forget!
How could you trust them? And isn't that key to a spiritual leader? I am not saying totally turn your back on them but they can not remain as leaders.
BTW, i am agnostic so no vested in any religion (wasn't raised religious either)
And I love those that think that everyone must believe what they do.
Quote your Bible all you want. It doesn't make you right, or even better than anyone else.
Judge not lest you be judged yourself seems to be the part you're choosing to ignore. Hiding behind your "good book" doesn't make you any less of a hypocrite. Re read the book of Matthew and ask your God for forgiveness.
NYMike, I don't have a god. Sorry. I'm only making a point to the folks who do. They don't read their own book. They obey part of their book, and choose to omit others. They choose which parts they like, and ignore parts that they don't like. Then they try to force those beliefs on the rest of us, such as the birth control and gay marriage issues. They cannot live and let live. They cannot just allow others to believe what they want too, and goo on about their day. I'm protesting that.
HANS ; I'll try to help you understand. If he is a homosexual, well that is a common deviation of human sexuality and is accepted as such. The real problem here is that he is such a hypocrite in publicly putting down homosexuality as per his devote religion and then secretly indulging himself and others in it. So, the man is a BOLD FACED LIAR in whom, others are placing their trust and faith.
Breaking his vows of chastity are not with the church. A priest is not forced to make the vow but must make the vow to become a priest and not to the Church, Bishop, Cardinal or Pope but to God and God alone. These men vow to God to not take a wife and to live a chaste life.
chrisfromcincy, soooo, ur protesting the idea that as a christian we should not kill homosexuals, should not judge them, should not shun them, should treat them with respect and love, and leave the big decisions to god? ur against that? what are you wanting christians to do? return to the inquisition era?
Drezz, I'm saying that if you can ignore the part of the bible that tells you to kill them, then you can ignore the part that says that being gay is an abomination in the eyes of the lord. You can stop supporting an organization trying to pass legislation to restrict the the rights of people who are gay. In kind, you can stop supporting an organization who is trying to legislate their 'superior' morality on the rest of the world. From gay rights to womens rights, to protection of pedophiles hidden behind the cloth of god. Stop trying to downplay what the church has allowed to occur, and even foster it.
In short, actually try to be an example of Christ.
no actually i dont ignore it, it clearly says that, but it doesnt say we are the ones to do it. im simply pointing out that those decisions are gods territory, what is deemed to be worthy of death, whether earthly or spiritual. the bible is replete with examples of where man steps on gods territory of judgement and is punished for it.
and for the record, i do not agree with the idea that being nasty to a gay person or trying to deny them a basic civil right is the correct way to go. i consider myself christian, but i also consider the actions of christ, at the last supper, jesus washed the feet of his disciples, even judas iscariot, who was to betray him. he did not discriminate, i dont either. whether i think its right or wrong is irrelevant, thats gods decision, and not mine to make.
Hans, but even thought these are adult males, the bishop is extremely powerful and can reassign you to another parish or have you sent to a different diocese. How is this any different than an individual in power in the workplace demanding sex in return for employment, promotion, etc.? Here in the United States we call it sexual harrassment.
One down, 209 to go!
The time has come to purge the church of the pedophiles...
won't be many left when this is over.
You should be glad we are not purging the world of people who cannot read. There are no allegations of pedophilia in this case. Try reading the story before you comment.
Yep greg...I read where the pope is taking early retirement..lol
Only one in the last 600 years..? Most of them die while doing the job of Pope...?
But this one was gettin out while the gettin was good, before they brought in the ROPE...lol
there are 412,000 priests worldwide with only a couple hundred cases, some go back 30 years, you do the math, there are more pedophiles in our school systems we dont hear about, who also get shuffled around to protect them
Where is your proof of this shuffling of pedophiles in academia?? I have not heard of such a thing.. link to a story perhaps?
Well chris I could give you a case first hand, I dont need a link, of a TEACHER that tried to have sex with a 13 year old girl and was "reasigned" to another school quietly because of "who' they were...And is STILL teaching today I might add..So I'm ASSUMING thats NOT the only case in America..I would actually bet on it..
But his resignitation will have something to do with his stance on "Queers", wait and see..Mr. Bigot of the year...What can the Queers expect from a man of Faith?..Acceptance of their obviously deviant lifestyle?It clearly states in the Bible that it is an Abomination towards God for man to lay with man and woman to lay with woman..Is he supposed to 'coddle" to the "queers' like we have to do here in America?..I for one will shake his hand and pat him on the back and say a job will done on his stance with that issue..
you wont find links because they news media only has an agenda to attack christian oragnizations, the other stories you hardly ever hear about but trust me its there,
If gays want to be gays, then why do you care? If they choose that lifestyle, and choose to reject the teachings of the christian churches, so be it. Tolerance means allowing people to live their lives how they choose, not how YOU choose.
It's great that you are able to come up with one case of a teacher being re-assigned quietly because of attempting to have sex with a 13 year old girl. Interesting that there is no story about it, or verifiable proof. In the same fashion, I saw an elder unicorn that had raped a leprauchaun, and nothing was done about it. We have to take a stand against elder unicorns because this is just getting out of hand. It can't be disproven, so it must be true, right?
"you wont find links because they news media only has an agenda to attack christian oragnizations"
Again ----- STOP BLAMING THE MESSENGER. Christian organizations are not the victims in this --- children are. No doubt we have pedophiles in other religious and secular organizations. But that is NOT an excuse for giving Catholic Bishops and priest a pass. Two wrongs DO NOT make a right.
there is no diplomatic immunity in the rcc, if there is enough evidence then the police should be arresting someone right?
Apples,
The Church has insisted it be allowed to handle such matters internally in ecclesiastical court, hiding behind the 1st Amendment separation of church and state.
The Conclave: A club of filthy old man trying to cover up.
Some Newsvine commenters: a club of mostly non-Catholic or anti-Catholic types who make sweeping, generalized statements to show how superior they think they are.
You say there is a cover up. Actually most Cardinals and Bishops don't wear any undies beneath their dresses.
No Hans, just pointing out the hypocrisy of the church and flawed logic that some people will use to justify their beliefs. The big difference is that all of the horrible offenses are coming from people who claim a moral superiority over anyone who believes differently than they do. This same group seeks to suppress the rights of others and force us to have to believe as they do, or at least prevent us from believing differently in public. Perhaps if more christians would turn the other cheek, and love thy neighbor, the world would be a much better place. Instead, they choose to love thy neighbor who is not gay, and who does not use birth control... Among plenty of other issues.
Northlite ; Okay, you left yourself open for this one. "Have you personally been investigating this yourself?" You should have used; " I heard that " before your statement.
Some Newsvine commentators: A collection Catholic who make sweeping, generalized statements to show how superior they think they are while blaming the media for the crimes of their Bishops and priest while using the justification that others may be guilty also.
if you really cared about the children as you claimed you wouldnt be so consumed over the tiny percentage of abuse and cover up going on in the rcc, but worrking to get rid of the problem as a whole,there is so much more abuse in daycare than anywhere else, schools, ymca, boy scouts etc.. the root of pedophila is homosexuality, most peds are at best bisexual if not outright gay, but lets allow gays into the boyscouts, thats like putting a fox in the henhouse. lets see some strict laws and punishment of pedophiles and some way to cure homosexuality because it is just as abnormal as pedophilia
On what do you base the claim that the root of pedophilia is homosexuality? I think you made that up in your mind, but how about producing some evidence.
most pedophiles are at best bisexual if not homosexual, both homosexuality and pedophilia are not normal behavior and immoral, the latter is illegal is the only difference, let me pose a question, lets say a 50 yr old priest has sex with an 18 yr old alter boy? is this ok now because they are both consenting adults?? no still wrong. the increase in homosexual behavoir is increasing pedophilia. facts are facts dont ignore them because it washes the ground out from under you.
Consenting sex between adults (of any sex) is one thing. Forced sex with a child is quite another. Pedophilia and homosexuality are NOT the same thing, Pedophiliacs are usually straight adults, men or women.
You might not agree with this priest and his choice of lifestyle, but really? This isn't a story deserving of page 1 of any newspaper. It appears that NBC is lot like a mean little dog. Once it sets it's teeth into you it never lets go. It's out to pick a fight with the RCC.
Do not be misled. Both acts are disgusting in the eyes of the True and Almighty God.
Or it's news and and the media reports the news. Unless you are Fox and then you are entertainment and can say anything.
Why is this not deserving of being on the front page? Put yourself of your children into this mans care, and then see if you are saying the same thing. It sure seems that we are trying to cover the image of the church, rather than protect the victims of this crime. It is in the news because these reports are commonplace nowadays. The bible allows for pedophelia, so long as it is not gay pedophelia.
But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. -Numbers 31:1-18
Because the people involved in this story (see yesterday's article, not this one) were adult priests at the time of their sexual encounters. No accusation of rape. Where is the story? There is none. Let he/she who is without sin cast the first stone. (People are wanting to quote the bible, I will oblige as well.)
So what. Here we are talking about homosexual activities, which is an abomination to god and punishable by death as commanded by god. So in your book, a Cardinal in the church doing something that expressly calls for death as a punishment is not worthy of a story?
If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. (Leviticus 20:13 NIV)
Whenever a Cardinal of the Church is removed from office, expecially right before the Conclave to elect a new pope, it is front page news. No one is picking on us Catholics.
Please , stop beating up the media for reporting a story like this. In a short time, the cardinals will be getting together to elect a new pope, so, the resignation of one of those voting members is a news story in and of itself. I detest people hearing some major breaking news and say , there goes the media again... this story is legitimate news, whether you like it or not.
No, that's in your book your banging. I don't have a book that tells me to kill people. Why do you?
NYMike, I don't have a book. I'm happily an atheist. I'm tired of others shoving theirs in my face, and the face of others.
To Granpa"...Your statement is LAUGHABLE... NBC, CBS, ABC, report the NEWS??? Thats down right LAUGHABLE..I guess its NEWS to report as long as it has NOTHING BAD to do with the ALMIGHTY black leader himself ObamaGod....But IF it has to do with something that will tarnish his administration and NOT push his AGENDA, it is QUIETLY swept under the rug....There are SO many questionable associations and actions of this president that have gone un reported that its UNREAL...Censorship of the MAIN STREAM PRESS has come to the point that it is NOTHING MORE than a propoganda machine for ObamaGod..WAKE UP and form a thought for yourself without it being done for you by the clowns at the mothership station{MSNBC} before its too late..One day soon you will be MADE to wake up in the morning and face east while Chanting..Obama is Great..Obama is Great...Obama is Great..
It's their god ...maybe they should follow the rules before they impose them on others eh?
Frankle - And which god is that?
taking a page from the Republican Party, Catholics are now blaming the media for their latest scandal. I am much more comfortable with any excesses of the press than the predicated cover up by God's supposedly representative on earth. Without the press we would have never been aware of the moral decay present in the Roman Catholic Church.
I believe that the majority of paedophiles are 'married with children'. However, the Catholic Church , in spite of what some people have said, has drawn a lot of people who cannot come to terms with their sexuality, ie they are paedophiles because they feel safer there. So what I mean to say is that, because of the code of silence, men who are closet paedophiles are in good hands, so to speak.
As far as being gay, the majority of paedophiles, from studies, are not. The church, and perhaps other religions but the majority of the news and complaints come from the church, has attracted closet cases, who are probably more involved with other ADULTS, not children. It is not so simple, but any organization whose head speaks about gay people being responsible for the problems of the human race has got to be hiding something. PS They ought to get a new designer for the new pope. He's very Victorian in those robes. That may seem like a silly sarcastic remark but this church has all the markings of a very foppish bar hosted by drag queens. If anyone else dressed like that, you would call him a cross dresser. The church sends conflicting signals to a conflicted group of MALES who are not on terms with whom they are. I am separating paedophilia from homosexuality 100% here, as it should be, but both appeared to feel safer in the church in the past, and why shouldn't they? How many investigations were never made?
This may happen in other religions, yes. It must. But to the extent of the Catholic Church? I don't know. I am not a statistician, and there are not people coming up from other religions talking about that. I know of a rabbi (Orthodox) who was a paedophile, underage girls, and a gay Orthodox rabbi, which is forbidden, but don't know the extent of abuse. I think it is a complex issue and besides, the church addresses the 21st century as if it were 200 years ago. I think they are very powerful, very very powerful, very rich, and control politics as well (not completely, but to the extent that their comments are political, yes). Time for a change.
the priesthood dosent make someone a pedophile, ie dont blame celibacy, rather pedophiles sneek into the priesthood to get thier hands on our children.
Regardless of the cardinal commissions or omissions, it is the hypocrisy that has lit the fuse, and the Ku Klux Deluxe in Drag outfits are so appropriate for the well dressed warlocks. It won't be long until the cloistered covens in the convents are exposed, just wait until the anti hope pope moves his coffin in.
Yes, they sneak in by saying "Hello, I would like to serve our lord and savior!". The truth is that there is little sneaking. There is a lot of covering up of atrocities by the church, and denial of those who believe in the faith to avoid the bad marks that the church has earned. Please understand where I am coming from on this. I don't label Catholics as bad people because of this, however I do believe that the church is responsible for not dealing with the issue at all until it leaked sufficiently into the media. It's only because of the power of the media that this is being dealt with. And it is very ironic that the bible tells those of faith how to live, until it tells them to do something that you would never do. It's hypocrisy at its finest.
and im not saying there havent been some cover up, but this is not as rampant as the media makes it out to be, the other thing to consider is some of the "cover up" was simply due to lack of evidence, its easy to accuse much harder to prove, to punish 1 innocent man to get 9 guilty would be an equally great crime, most of these claims are 20-30 yrs after the fact
To Chris, you say ...church is responsible for not dealing with the issue at all until it leaked sufficiently into the media.
Just substitute obamaGods name where you put "Church" and you've got that statement RIGHT!!
Another statement you write...{I'll substitute the correct word} You say...... There is Alot of coverning up of the atrocities by the Church{THIS ADMINISTRATION}, and denial of those who believe in the Faith{MEDIA}to Avoid the bad marks that the Church {THIS ADMINISTRATION} has earned..NOW ,its a correct statement..
The bible has zero tolerance for the acts that the church leadership has done. If you believe the bible, then why do you have such tolerance for them?
Most of these are not 20 - 30 years after the fact, they occurred over 20 - 30 years. These are not isolated incidents. There are thousands of cases with multiple accounts of abuse per case over periods of years. For the church to allow that to happen, work feverishly to cover it up while working to supress the rights of gays to live their lives and enjoy the right to be married in the eyes of the state is sheer hypocrisy. Why do they not condem their own, but work so hard to cast the first stone and condemn others?
Blade, this is not a political conversation. Take your Obama hatred to Fox News... oh wait...
there are many priests who have been defrocked , if there is so much evidence then why havent arrests been made? fact is there were arrests when enough evidence exists, despite what ppl claim if a priest had enough evidence against him to bring charges there is nothing the church could do to protect him. this lynch mob mentality is unacceptable
Chris, I can write about what I want..iF you dont want to read the truth, then DONT read it...You people act like EVERY Damn priest in the Church is mollesting little boys but in reality its CLOSER to maybe 1%..IF THAT...Although I'll AGREE that even THAT number is WAY TOO HIGH...But, Why do YOU condem someone WITHOUT all the fact if you're worried so much about the church condeming others?
The Catholic Church has paid over $2 BILLION in penalties for the abuses of their priests. There have been a lot of arrests and charges brought up against them. Where have you been?
the church cant undo what some priests did, but when they try to compensate ppl for their suffering they still get blasted for that ok so dont pay any money to ppl that have been hurt???? . NEVERMIND THE FACT THAT SOME ON THESE ARE PPL JUST TRYING TO EXTORT MONEY FROM THE CHURCH, the church paid money even when there wanst enough evidence for an arrest because they felt the priest was guilty, but you still cant put someone in jail unless the evidence is enough and thats why some werent arrested.
Blade - I'm with Chris. There are ample opportunities to criticize/question Obama and his administration and be on topic. Next thing you righties will be blaming him for the weather. Oh never mind, I think you already have.
apples-n-oranges, if there is no evidence, as you say, then they should not pay. However the church has denied and covered up the behavior for years. This is not isolated unknown behavior. It is know and has been covered up for a loooong time. They made their beds...
Blade, I can condemn whomever I want. If YOU don't want to read the truth, then DON'T read it... blah blah blah blah...
i dont think its wrong to pay these ppl . lets say we suspect abuse has happened in a case but cant prove it in a court of law, i think compensating ppl for thier suffering is the least they can do. you cant call it bribe money because the law would come after them regardless if there was sufficient proof.
Of course the priests lodged complaints when, due to age, O' Brien couldn't keep it up and dislodged.
Could the Pope's abdication and this Cardinal's resignation be just the beginning of more?
Does this have anything to do with the Pope Butler Document scandal last Fall? Did he uncover something?
Beginning ? I think you mean to ask, " is this an eternal continuum."
I was born and raised catholic ... went to private catholic schools ... so this i say with first hand knowledge ... if we could just get the entire vatican to resign ... the world would be a better place.
Long ago, I too escaped the darkness. Surely, God can not fit into anyone's doggy bag of dogma. Rituals, superstitions and perversions are the chains of evil. The truth is so simple, it is also known as compassion.
let me guess you were approx 14 when you left, most fallen away cradle catholics are teenagers, hormones raging, you only want to party, rcc is no fun, baptist preachers make it fun and tell you just what you want to hear. the teenage brain is chemically unbalanced, which is why they make these decisions then.
"let me guess you were approx 14 when you left":
I was 22 when I left. I had just graduated from Ohio State after spending 12 years in Catholic schools. I began having doubts as soon as I got out of Catholic schools and realized how much I had been lied to, especially in history classes, by the priest and nuns. While I never encountered any sexual abuse in Catholic schools, I saw plenty of physical and psychological abuse. Some of those nuns were the nastiest people I have ever known in my entire life --- and I'm 66 years old so I've come in contact with a lot of people..
most of the ppl i have known that came out of the catholic schools were moral upright ppl, most very nice to be around ( there are quite a few non caths that went to cath schools). so id say while rather harsh the nuns did thier jobs well. go to remember also some kids sent to private schools are trouble kids thier rich parents didnt want to bother with straighting out so the nuns had them to deal with too
most of the ppl i have known that came out of the catholic schools were moral upright ppl
Well -- I graduated for a Catholic High school in 1964. In my senior year we had 7 girls out of a class of 220 who got kicked out because they were pregnant. The public high school, about a mile away with a class of 300 had 1. It was a well known in the neighborhood that the Catholic girls were --- "easier". And -- I grew up in a well off suburb.
as i said parents sent trouble kids to private schools , comment on catholic girls being easier is nonsensical crap
Being quoted 2000 year old most time obtuse rules and regulations obviously isn't working. As much as the church expects it's rules to be followed to the letter, it isn't happening, leaving adolescents vulnerable to all types of real world situations they can't handle. Sex for one.
"as i said parents sent trouble kids to private schools"
Well -- when I attended Catholic schools -- the "trouble kids" got booted out. They didn't fix anything, the Catholic schools simply turned their problems into someone else's problem.
.... Wow, when these guys want to join the boy scouts you guys support them ....
The question is the vow of celibacy, not homosexuality, which is simply the titillation here.
BlackMan
You really can't see the difference can you?
Where in this Article did it say that the cardinal was a "queer"..it simply states that the Vatican had been notified of allegations of inappropriate behavior stretching back 30 years......WHAT those "behaviors" are is ANTONE'S guess...but HIM being QUEER??? Doubtful
"The question is the vow of celibacy, not homosexuality"
Actually -- it's not about sex. Crimes like rape and sexual abuse of children are about power.
It is still interesting that Catholic priests get away with decades of 'inappropriate behavior' that would get a mortal human jailed in a heartbeat.
And God forbid women use birth control to treat endocrine disorders, endometriosis or, yes, birth control.
I find it LAUGHABLE that the "liberals" are suddenly falling all over the Bible, quoting scripture, in condemming this priest when we DONT even know WHAT the "inappropriate behavior" is in the first place and secondly they DONT even believe in GOD to begin with..
Wow, lets Pi$$ on the Bible and laugh at the 'Fake" old mythical being that lives in the sky till we find something that SUPPORTS our view, then LETS THUMP THOSE BIBLES...LMAO
Newsgirl24..IF you want to use birth control to treat endocrine disorders, endometriosis,or yes, BIRTH CONTROL, then you have EVERY right to do so, knock yourself out..WHY should YOU give a RATSA$$ what the CHURCH stance is on those issues IF YOU ARENT A MEMBER???? And in the UNLIKELY circumstance that you ARE in the Church{Catholic} you have TWO choices..{But you STILL have CHOICES} You can either QUIT and take Birth control, OR you can STAY and NOT take birth control..Either way, the CHOICE is yours....FREE WILL..
"I find it LAUGHABLE that the "liberals" are suddenly falling all over the Bible"
I find it SAD that so many conservatives (Pat Robertson, Billy Graham's son, etc.) use the Bible to justify their selfishness, greed, hate and bigotry.
What a crooked money grubbing organization.
We all be better off when Catholics fade into history like so many other organizations.
If you are a sheep that follows this disgusting self-loathing religion do yourself a favor. Open your eyes and exit asap. Not only will your lie improve, but that of societies as well.
I love it when Religion helps People. I hate it when Religion Forces People.
IF you substitute ObamaGODs name where you wrote the word"Religion" that statement that you wrote will be more accurate..
Catholics will forever pay homage to their pundits of pedophilia and their sorcerers of sodomy or else their cult will dissolve.
While there are probably many good priest...the Catholic Church seems to be Full of these weirdos...
My guess is not being able to marry a woman..brings out the strange perverts in many of them..
Indeed, Catholics are pretty messed up. They'll eagerly turn a blind eye to child-raping priests because by their twisted logic it keeps them "devout". They need to remain devout in order to get their butts into "heaven".
"Celibacy" is just a smoke-screen, allowing their sex lives to be officially non-existent. Of course, sorcerers they are not and sodomy isn't germane.
It makes you wonder what behavior was reported by 3 priests?
Homosexual relations while consenting adults. Was headline yesterday for an hour or so.
Thank you.
.... Wow, when these guys want to join the boy scouts you guys support them ....
Another repeater.
Support who?
As I said before, will be fun watching the vatican squirm while all these facts slowly get leaked out.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving organization. For them, one thing good about having a old-man's club run it, they can all claim they are resigning for "old age", not that that every stopped them before, but makes a handy excuse.
Why is this even news anymore? If there is a Catholic Cardinal he is hiding his own sins or the sins of his priests. None of them are without skeletons in their closets. The same place they committed some of their abuses. They consider themselves above the laws of the countries they live in and above the scrutiny of normal human beings and I really don't understand how people can keep defending them. If you are still a devout Catholic and think this is all some "evil" conspiracy to bring down your church you have a terrible case of willful ignorance.
"It's all part of God's Plan".
Pass the collection plate.
Interesting that the one high church official who is really disciplined in this continuing scandal is apparently NOT a pedophile but rather has acted inappropriately with adults (other priests).
...yours in diversity....