sullster

A former Priest from the Boston area has just been convicted of many counts of child sexual abuse. The case has put the local head of the church, Cardinal Bernard Law, on the hot seat. Although he knew that the priest had a compulsion to fondle the privates of little boys, he would just send him to another parish if he was confronted by a parent. There has been a cry for his resignation.

I feel that this issue is proof that the church is in big trouble. The stricture of celebacy of priests and the scarcity of decent individuals is leading to a state where pedophiles are getting to be priests. Add the policy of covering up the pedophilia by the hierarchy and there is more trouble.

What is to be done?

Amos

You mean the priest is in big trouble, don't you?

"The scarcity of decent individuals" is America's problem and has nothing to do with the church.

Orpheous99

Child molester priests is hardly a new thing. This sort of thing has been going on for a very long time. It is just that now the Church is not as strong as it once was and thus can't protect them.

Orpheous99

I see that you have never been to a boys' home in Newfoundland, have you? This "problem" is very wide spread and have been a concern of the Church since they have been protecting such priests by quieting these incidents up more often then not.

Born Free

It happens all over the world not just America. Man was never meant to live a celibate life.

mongrel

I read about a similar case in New South Wales. The priest was Anglican and married. He has sex offences going back to 1957, but I think he won't do it again soon. He got 13 years(not enough). No need to be celebate to be a peter file.

Amos

You mean humans, don't you?

Viti

what is to be done?

castration?

mongrel

Sound reasonable for repeat offenders.

sidewinder

I'm tired of the endless rants from religious believers that America is morally corrupt. Have any proof to support your statement, Amos? If so many Americans are morally corrupt, then most of these morally corrupt people are Christians of all brands because many people in this country identify themselves as Christians of one brand or another. I suppose your solution would be that more people should become Christians of your brand and that would solve the problem.

It is a well known fact that the Catholic church is in serious need of priests. Less and less men are going to seminary to become priests. Has nothing to do with morality. It has to do with the fact that less and less people believe or agree with the church's teachings. I base this opinion on several articles I've read.

The fact that the Catholic church covers for these sick individuals is just another evil notch in the belt of the history of the Catholic church.