Vatican Warned of Homosexual Priests in 1979

The Washington Times ^ | 4/9/2002 | AP

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

BOSTON(AP) - The Archdiocese of Boston knew that one of its priests, now accused of rape, spoke in favor of sex between men and boys at a 1979 meeting that apparently led to the founding of a pedophile group, according to court documents. The documents also show archdiocese officials knew of sexual misconduct accusations against the Rev. Paul Shanley since at least 1967 but continued to allow him access to children in different parishes for more than 20 years. "All of the suffering that has taken place at the hands of Paul Shanley, a serial child molester for four decades - three of them in Boston - none of it had to happen," said Roderick MacLeish, an attorney for the family of Gregory Ford.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

1979? 1967?

[chriservative]

Hey. I was in a debate last night regarding whether more cases of pedophilia were homosexual or heterosexual. Can anyone point me towards some statistics? Thanks.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

That's an excellent question. There have certainly been quite a few allegations about homosexual relationships with teenagers much closer to the age of consent (high school, for instance). In the article Cardinal Medeiros (quoted) specifically mentions "homosexuals" as a problem in 1979. This is an issue the media has been tending to duck.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Have not seen stats for heterosexual cases. There was that recent one in California going back a few years.

[EdReform]

Bump

[EdReform]

"This is an issue the media has been tending to duck."

Sex before 8 - or it's too late! Craige McMillan on how media covers for homosexual child abusers

[aristeides]

Shanley said ex-cardinal abused him as seminarian .

Shanley was ordained in 1960. I think the cardinal who abused him as a seminarian would have been Francis Cardinal Spellman.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"We thought we were doing the right thing
by following the advice of the psychological experts."

[vladog]

Warned in 1979 were they? Seems that warning was at least 1500 yrs late.

[EdReform]

Ping

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

I keep hearing this every so often. In fact, I think Woody Allen (of all people)
alludes to the Spellman rumors in his film Hannah and Her Sisters during the
sequence where his character is talking to a priest about possibly converting to
Catholicism because it is a "very old and beautiful religion" (or words to that effect).
Actually, a mildly amusing scene (in the psychoneurotico land of Woodyism, that is).
Any link or source for such allegations (beyond Shanley)?(curious)

[wideawake]

Warned in 1979 were they? Seems that warning was at least 1500 yrs late.

Oh, really? Care to back up your mindless anti-Catholic bigotry with facts? And no - Jack Chick cartoons are not considered data sources by adults.

[Libertina]

Although not Catholic, I respect the church and say that this is the NEEDED opportunity to flush out the corruption. It will result in a stronger church. I am so sick of the machinations of the homosexual extremists. Flush them out and clean up the mess.

[a history buff]

FWIW, the enigmatic epigrams attributed to St. Malachi which are said to describe pontiffs past and to be described the successor of Pius XII as pastor et nauta. John XXIII was indeed the Cardinal of Venice, urbis nautae. However, before the conclave, Spellman is said if not known to have insisted on going on some boatride in a boat laden with sheep. How odd.

[Khepera]

More folks who belong in prison. Put them there and let them rot.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

re:#10

Ditto. Ironically enough, it would have been a little pointless alerting "the Vatican"
1500 years ago about homosexual priests in America considering that there weren't any
Catholic priests in North America and that the Popes lived in the Lateran at that time.

[wideawake]

Thank you. It's good to hear an objective nonCatholic voice.

I agree with you - the best disinfectant for corruption of this nature is fresh air and sunlight.

There are organizations of concerned Catholics like Roman Catholic Faithful who have been fighting against these abuses for years. But liberal bishops ignored them.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

There is very clearly an underlying drama of conflict between orthodox Catholics and the liberal dissenting activists who want to rationalize and condone homosexual conduct and lifestyle. Cultural and ideological changes in sexual attitudes, in liberal directions, are behind some of the unfolding drama.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Bigots are not affected by facts.