Posted on 07/07/2014 6:09:45 AM PDT by Citizen Zed
Pope Francis begged forgiveness for the Church on Monday and cited the need for "reparation" as he met with victims who had suffered at the hands of Roman Catholic priests.
The pontiff invited six victims of abuse from Ireland, Germany and Britain to attend an early-morning private Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the residence next to St. Peter’s Basilica where he lives.
Francis called the abuse a “grave sin” decrying how it was hidden for “so much time” and “camouflaged with a complicity that cannot be explained.”
"I ask for the grace to weep, the grace for the Church to weep and make reparation for her sons and daughters who betrayed their mission, who abused innocent persons," the pope said in his homily. "I beg your forgiveness, too, for the sins of omission on the part of Church leaders who did not respond adequately to reports of abuse."
He said abusive priests’ actions “profane the very image of God” and are "more than despicable."
“It is like a sacrilegious cult, because these boys and girls had been entrusted to the priestly charism in order to be brought to God,” the pontiff said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
If that is true, then the scandal must be over. It’s a victory for the gay Mafia.
A lot more can be done.
What is really needed is a very close examination of how so many thousands of depraved individuals were able to become ordained priests to begin with.
What made being a Catholic priest such an attractive career choice for so many homosexuals, pedophiles, and predators?
A good start:
‘Since his election last year, the pope has pledged that the Vatican - accused of not doing enough to bring abusers to justice and to protect victims - will introduce a “zero tolerance” policy against crimes against children of a sexual nature.
‘At the end of 2013, he overhauled Vatican law and broadened the definition on child abuse to include sexual acts with children, child prostitution and child pornography, making them punishable by up to 12 years in prison.
‘Shortly after, he set up a panel of experts to advise him on ways to better tackle the widespread problem. Among them, the Irish abuse victim Marie Collins, and U.S. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, who has a lengthy track record of cleaning up dioceses shattered by child sex abuse.
‘He reiterated his pledge to stamp out the scourge on Monday, saying that all bishops must carry out their ministry with “the utmost care” to protect minors.
‘”They will be held accountable,” he added.’
Follow the Bible. There is NO requirement for priests to not marry. That is a man made rule for a man made religion.
Precisely. Exactly.
And furthermore, Catholic priests were married men for many centuries.
The mandatory celibacy requirements came about much later in Church history.
Yes, the earliest form of Christianity is man-made.
It was established by one Man.
Hmm. Where are the usual Catholic apologists and abuse deniers?
Jesus did not establish the Catholic Church, that much is clear. He didn't declare anyone Pope. He didn't forbid priests to marry. He didn't say fill My churches with pedophiles. He didn't say move the pedophiles from one district to another so they may feed on more children s innocence. He didn't say burn people alive at the stake for "heresy". He didn't call any man infallible. He didn't say sell indulgences. He didn't say pray to dead people. He was accused of a lot of things wrongly but the establishment of the Catholic Church was not one of them.
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