Priests, Abuse, and the Meltdown of a Culture. The lessons of an important new study.

National Review ^ | 05/19/2011 | George Weigel

[TSgt]

So again, what is the particular fascination with this subject? Why would a normal, healthy adult male spend so very much time dwelling on a subject this distasteful when he is neither a Catholic nor an altar boy? Why would anyone who claims to have nothing but good intentions partake in a crusade that accomplishes nothing positive and damages the greatest instrument of good in the world? It defies logic and reasoning and points to a far more sinister agenda.

You're a piece of work. A very close family member of mine was abused by your beloved clergy. It destroyed their life. If only you were so fervent in defending the innocent victims as you are in attacking those like me who choose to stand beside them. At this point, I would ask that you reach deep into your faith and question whether or not you want to continue.

[Judith Anne]

When there is hatred, let us sow love, where there is injury, pardon...please?

May God bless you, FRiend.

[Natural Law]

"A very close family member of mine was abused by your beloved clergy."

Well I'm calling Bravo Sierra! If it were really as big an issue to you as you imply you would be doing far more than sniping anonymously on FR. You would be actively engaged and working on solutions and preventive measures. The ironic proof that you aren't is that you were really engaged would know that so very much of the stuff you post is false.

[Judith Anne]

That statement of yours makes it look as though you are attempting to get revenge on every Catholic who defends the church, as though you might consider yourself the prosecutor for every evil done by any Catholic anywhere at any time.

In truth, we are all evil, and require mercy. We are all injured, and require healing. We are all human. Can you see that? Must we all always hurt each other? Is there no end?

[TSgt]

Well I'm calling Bravo Sierra!

Lockstop with the Catholic MO on this issue.

You have my offer internet tough guy...

[marshmallow]

A very close family member of mine was abused by your beloved clergy.

Which diocese?

[TSgt]

Is there no end?

No, not until the excuses stop...

I will say thank you for praying for me and not calling my personal life experience a lie. Because it isn't.

[TSgt]

It happened in Northern Kentucky however the intimate details are none of your concern.

Again, typical, blame the victim or call them a liar.

At least you are consistent.

[Judith Anne]

Just a suggestion:

It could be a horrible mistake to say, “When the other guy is sinless, I’ll quit hitting him.” Because then you may be held to the same standard by someone you may have injured.

[lastchance]

I don’t believe you are lying and I am sorry for the pain suffered by your relative and by you.

[TSgt]

Judith my FRiend,

If I could do physical harm to the perpetrator, believe me, I would.

[marshmallow]

It happened in Northern Kentucky however the intimate details are none of your concern.

I'm not asking for "intimate details". Neither have I any interest in uncovering details about the victims. I'm interested in the perps.

Don't be coy. Let's expose these perverts and bring their evil to light.

Northern Kentucky, you say?

And that would be the Diocese of..........??

[TSgt]

Thank you lastchance.

And I honestly don’t hate Catholics nor do I believe this is a problem exclusive to the church. I’m just tired of the excuses.

Catholics have done more to speak out against abortion and prevent infanticide than their Protestant brothers and sisters. I respect and honor their work in this area.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

I’m sad to hear someone you love was hurt by a priest. But your constant vitriol directed toward all things Catholic is as wrong as it is illogical. There are countless good men belonging to good yet admittedly flawed human institution that you constantly besmirch because of one predator. Who is the one white-washing (black-washing)?

[TSgt]

Would you like a rape kit? Semen? DNA?

You’re a vile person.

[Judith Anne]

Of course you would. I doubt, if we knew the details of your sorrow, that we would blame you. Why attempt to do the harm of hatred, though, to others? Can you see the harm your hatred does to you?

There are protestants who have deeply harmed someone I love, in a way that can never be made whole except by God in heaven. I do not, however, hold their church responsible, nor their families, nor those who love them...I am grateful I never had the means of revenge, because I would certainly have used it. God protected me (and them) from my anger...let us protect one another.

Clergy/child sexual abuse is ubiquitous. No church is immune, no church is alone. Shall we then all destroy one another?

[Judith Anne]

There is not a person on this thread who is vile. Striking out at someone who questions you is wrong.

When you are tempted to hate, go confess your own sins. It will help you heal. It works for me, although I’m not very good at it right now.

Bless you, Tsgt, bless you and the person you love who was injured, God bless us all...

[marshmallow]

Would you like a rape kit? Semen? DNA? You’re a vile person.

Well now, this is strange.

I'm attempting to find out the name of the monster who perpetrated this crime and you're covering up for him.

Why?

Shouldn't the world know the name of this beast?

He was a priest in a diocese of Northern Kentucky, I understand?

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Clergy/child sexual abuse is ubiquitous. No church is immune, no church is alone.

Careful, Judith. You are now an apologist for abusive Catholic clergy. You know; "Don't blame us, everybody rapes children® - Vatican".

[Religion Moderator]

Enough with the foul language and personal attacks.

Both of you, leave this thread.

[Judith Anne]

LOL! I have been misunderstood before, misquoted before, dogpiled before, mocked and ridiculed before. Truly, there are even posters on FR who take quotes from my posts and put them on their profile page, to show everyone what a dreadful person I am.

Nothing new. May God bless anyone who hates me, belittles me, and makes me look dumb, the same way I want to be blessed.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

;-)

[TSgt]

Like I said, internet tough guy.

[Admin Moderator]

You were asked by the Religion Moderator to leave this thread. Do you want to be banned?

[bboop]

Sounds like you are in the right place for you.

[Alex Murphy]

LOL! I have been misunderstood before, misquoted before, dogpiled before, mocked and ridiculed before. Truly, there are even posters on FR who take quotes from my posts and put them on their profile page, to show everyone what a dreadful person I am. Nothing new.

Welcome to my world, Judith Anne.

[Judith Anne]

If Free Republic belongs to you, please let us all know right now.

[DollyCali]

BTTT

[Alex Murphy]

If Free Republic belongs to you, please let us all know right now.

[Jeff Chandler]

You might find that the quality of your reactions to posted articles benefits from actually reading the content.

[Paridel]

Sadly... not really. The Anglican Church (save for the global south) seems to be retreating from the traditional faith as fast as it can go. Unless that was your point? I hope not because I'm not that much of a heathen!

I'm not sure if it came across in my first post - but I like the Catholic Church. However, they are certainly under attack as much as the Anglican church - and in both cases most of that is internal.

-paridel

[RobbyS]

Disgusting or not, it was a practice confined to a relatively few men. The cause, of course, was the blindness of the bishops and many other leaders to the danger. The Church had got too bureaucratic, and then suddely after V2 it was a bureacracy in crisis, as som many priests jumped ship or mutined. The top men lost control, the replacements were inferior men. a “hollow” Church, with a hollowness not unlike the Army of the ‘70s.

[RobbyS]

If you read your Bible, it is full of stories about unfaithful priests, false prophets and bad kings. Samuel gave into the people's demand for a king because his own sons were unworthy of his mantel of office. A continuous complaint of Paul is corruption in the Church. Get mad, clean up the mess, but remember the parable of the wheat and the tars.And mind your own soul, first. The devil ,is looking for an opening.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Judas Iscariot was a back-stabber and a liar. Clearly, Jesus Christ and His Church are worthy of nothing but contempt because of this man. /sarc

[duckln]

Did your victim call the cops?

[duckln]

Did your victim call the cops?

[duckln]

Did your victim call the cops?