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Well, the reporting style is a little over the top which limits the extent of the audiance. The big question ramains though and it is not going away.

As a person who has for years studied christian history in general and the reformation in particular, it is my opinion that the present situation the CC finds itself in is almost, if not equal to the scope of AD 1517. The one big difference is that this is totally within (internal to) the church. At some point, American Catholics will tire of the non-action and the declining number of facilities/personel (church buildings and priests)and will begin to withold financial support.

My prediction, the RCC in the USA will use evangelical recrutement policies and terminology to bolster membership efforts. It should be noted though, like the 1517 incident, Rome isn’t fully appreciating the extent of the problem and reacting accordingly with the necessary urgency. There are black clouds on the horizon for this group.

The reforms implemented in 2002 to address these situations have inconvenienced the majority of Catholics who have never experienced such behavior in their parishes. To work in any capacity in a parish or school requires untold checks and oversight so it appears that the problems have been eliminated. Once again those who did not participate or condone these activities paid the highest price for the reformation. New incidents which reportedly are rare are being reported to the civil authorities.

Thus the Church has been proactive and the latest accusations date back to the 1960’s, 70’s, 80's. In the most recent stories journalists are referring to who did what, when, with many of the perpetrators long since dead or else who sent what letter when or what office had oversight responsibility. Perhaps the Church should have a "Hate the Church Day" in Congress like Goldman Sacks and allow all the Catholic bashers to have their day in the sun. Since the 2002 reformation appears to be efficacious these recent newspaper articles do not resonate or cause alarm with the Catholic faithful but only with the uninformed.

fatboy,

You’re completely out of touch with reality.

The “present situation” the Church finds herself in is already all-but-over. It has nothing to do with 1517 and can’t be compared to it.

Also, all of this is causing an INCREASE in vocations, not a decrease.