Posted on 05/16/2012 12:45:55 PM PDT by robowombat
A prominent American priest in the Legionaries of Christ, a troubled Catholic order whose founder was denounced by the Vatican for sexual improprieties, has admitted having a sexual relationship with a woman and fathering her child.
Father Thomas Williams, who has appeared on CBS and NBC and was interviewed by ABC News for a 2010 report on the Legion, made the acknowledgement after an activist who had sought reform in the order contacted the Vatican with his suspicions.
"I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation," said Williams in a statement. He said that he would be taking a year's leave from his public duties "to reflect on my commitments as a priest."
According to the National Catholic Reporter, the Legion has confirmed that seven other priests are now being investigated for the alleged abuse of minors. The Legion has more than 800 priests.
The Legion of Christ was founded by Mexican priest Marcial Maciel in 1941, who built it into a powerful international order with 70,000 followers and many wealthy benefactors. Maciel, however, was accused of sexual abuse, drug abuse and of fathering multiple children with women in Europe and Mexico. In 2006, Pope Benedict banned Maciel from active ministry after 20 men testified that he had molested them when they were teens.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
You read my mind. At least he wasn’t doing a little boy...
If Catholicism would do away with the celebate preisthood, NONE of this wouold ever happen .. (oh, the occasional adultery, but really ... )
“Legion” of Christ is an odd name, seeing as how the Bible tells us that a demon calls himself “Legion” when confronted by Jesus.
“Legion” of Christ is an odd name, seeing as how the Bible tells us that a demon calls himself “Legion” when confronted by Jesus.
I hope you just forgot the sarc tag.
Let them marry.
The Apostle Paul advised, "if you can't contain, then marry"
>>>“Legion” of Christ is an odd name, seeing as how the Bible tells us that a demon calls himself “Legion” when confronted by Jesus.<<<
Legion was not actually the name of any one demon. The demon Jesus spoke to said to call him that as there were many demons in the afflicted man.
‘Legion’ at the time referring most likely to Roman Legions which were often analogous to a modern day Army brigade.
Therefore the poor man was afflicted with several thousand demons and the spokesman for the demons simply said the equivalent of; ‘We’re too many to name individually, so just call us ‘Legion’ or ‘Many’
Depending on the number of demons present that passage of the Bible would be dramatically different if Jesus had insisted on an itemized list. But, of course, Jesus was a practical fellow and not at all a Democrat.
I may have misunderstood your post. Yes that may be an argument to allow priests to marry.
The other issues of homosexuality and pedophilia, which are just as prevelant in other denominations and religions has nothing to with a celibate priesthood. It has to do with homosexuals and pedophiles infiltrating organizations where they would have access to victims.
A specious, at best solution, perpetuated by the ignorant.
the following which people like you conveniently fail to paraphrase:
"But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided." 1 Corinthians 7:32-33
One can only wonder how you'd explain the fact that the vast majority of pedophiles are married men or explain why the sexual abuse of minors is rampant in public education where there is no discipline of celibacy for you to blame.
If this is how you respond to what I wrote, and these are the words you use tou support YOUR argument (which, I suppose, is in support of celabacy), it is no wonder obama fooled so many, no wonder democrats keep getting elected and no wonder that our great united States is no longer united.
First: I didn't paraphrase a thing, but quoted scripture, to wit:
"1 Cor. 7:8&9 .. I say therefore to the unmarriedand widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
You chose to come at me with a group of words I quite frankly cannot find in the Bible.
Paul wrote that he "would have you without carefullness" and YOU wrote the he said "But I would have you to be without solicitude.'
Carefulness is defined and ubderstood to mean in this verse that Paul wants you to be aware of the danger(s) of not having settled the matter of male/female sexuality and the pull it has on each other, especially the man (Paul is speaking of a man)
Solicitude is defined as being attentative to the care and well being of ...
Paul writes of the danger and you wrote of careing for.
Two entirely defferent subjects
But that's what happens when you change the words and misquote the speaker.
Did Sarah Palin say she could see Russia from her house ?
to
celabacy(sic)
celibacy
united(sic) States
United
First: I didn't paraphrase a thing
It would be prudent for you to purchase a dictionary.
para·phrase noun \ˈper-ə-ˌfrāz,ˈpa-rə-\
1: a restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form
You chose to come at me with a group of words I quite frankly cannot find in the Bible.
That's what happens when people like you rely on a corrupted translation of the original to base their argument on. A corrupted text only yields a corrupted argument.
ubderstood(sic)
understood
Carefulness is defined and ubderstood to mean in this verse that Paul wants you to be aware of the danger(s) of not having settled the matter of male/female sexuality and the pull it has on each other, especially the man (Paul is speaking of a man)
"Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation. For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:20-21
Solicitude is defined as being attentative to the care and well being of ...
solicitude noun \sə-ˈli-sə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\
1 a: the state of being concerned and anxious
b: attentive care and protectiveness; also: an attitude of earnest concern or attention
2: a cause of care or concern —usually used in plural
Paul writes of the danger and you wrote of careing(sic) for.
Incorrect. Your ability to discern as well as correctly spell the written word is quite deficient.
Two entirely defferent(sic) subjects
But that's what happens when you change the words and misquote the speaker.
You are guilty on both counts.
chutzpah noun \ˈhu̇t-spə, ˈḵu̇t-, -(ˌ)spä\
: supreme self-confidence : nerve, gall
Now, once again explain why the majority of pedophiles are married men and what is the reason for the epidemic of sexual molestations in public education since you can't blame either one on the discipline of celibacy?
If you want your clergy to be celibate .. ok ... No one argued the scriptures until the Enemy decided it was the best way to divide, thus .. the Christian united States (most properly understood for we are not a corporation) is fractured.
Divide and conquer.
My spelling is a combination of fat fingers and bad eyes and I don't really give a crap if it's a point of argument with you.
You defined both words correctly but failed to acquire the context of the scriptures cited.
I know of no stats that indicate pedophiles are predominantly married men.
It's a good day for the garden ... I think I'll go out and weed it
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