This is an excellent scripture, but you do recall that Paul was willing to make an attempt to redeem the individual in question. If I recall 2 Corinthians correctly, Paul's gambit paid off. The man repented.
Now, I think that the statistical data is irrefutable that there is so little success (none) in rehabbing certain varieties of sex offenders that it MUST become policy that they be totally removed from any position of authority or ministry within the church. There must be no return ever to such a position. If ordained, they must be stripped of their orders. Forever. They must have their bodies "turned over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh that their spirits may be saved in the Day of the Lord." And if some of them truly repent, then so much the better. But they must never, ever be restored to authority/ministry. Ever.
My denomination also has a very involved system with the "rights of defendants" identical to those in our US justice system. In short, it's virtually impossible to convict anyone of anything short of a video showing them in the act. This does carry protection of the individual in church matters a bit too far. We must not entertain accusations against elders on the testimony of one witness, but we also must allow reasonable accusations to see the light of day and receive a fair hearing.
It is just as important to protect the sheepfold as it is to protect members from false accusation.
“Paul’s gambit paid off. The man repented.”
I have thought often as I have read on this thread, and the many like it:
“Where evil aboundeth, grace aboundeth more.”
“Though your sins be as scarlet...”
I pray that heaven will be rejoicing more at the return of one back to God and that this will come about because of the prayers of 99 other righteous men.
If that is the case then the Catholic Church is totally wrong in returning these pedeophile priests to even different positions. I'm sorry but I can't identify with this inexcusable behavior of the hierarcy of the Church. In my opinion, it is a poor reflection on the Church for this article to try to excuse the Church by saying society is just as bad.
We must not entertain accusations against elders on the testimony of one witness, but we also must allow reasonable accusations to see the light of day and receive a fair hearing.
While it is important we treat Christians "fairly", the Bible is also clear that we must be blameless before the world. If it happens that we suffer injustice then that is OK and Paul tells us that we should just accept it (1 Cor 6:7). At some point the books will be squared.
The Church/church of our Lord Jesus should not mirror society. Rather it should show to the world that it DOES have a different message and that God DOES changes lives if we confess our sins and ask the Lord Jesus to cleanse us. How can Christians possibly carry forth this true message when so many of us are running around living our lives just like everyone else? Christianity is the ONLY religion that promises that God WILL change our hearts if we let Him. But I sincerely doubt you'd find 50% of the Christians today working out the faith with "fear and trembling". We sure make things difficult for God. It's a wonder that anyone comes to Christ for forgiveness and healing.
Christians who want to sin should be sat in a corner until they ask God for forgiveness. Tares in the church who fail to bear fruit should be kicked out until they "bear the fruit of repentence".
The primary difference between society and the church, is that the church acknowledges they are sinners before God. When the church fails to acknowledge our sins and ask forgiveness, then there is no distinction.