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.
“””Christians who want to sin should be sat in a corner until they ask God for forgiveness. “”
You might like how the Early Church Fathers handled this...From Saint Basil in the 4th century....
“The cleric or monk who molests youths or boys or is caught kissing or committing some turpitude, let him be whipped in public, deprived of his crown (tonsure) and, after having his head shaved, let his face be covered with spittle; and [let him be] bound in chains, condemned to six months in prison...after which let him live in a separate cell under the custody of a wise elder with great spiritual experience...let him be subject to prayers, vigils, and manual work always under the guard of two spiritual brothers, without being allowed to have any relationship ... with young people.”-Saint Basil of Cesarea