Posted on 05/06/2013 11:00:57 AM PDT by BlueDragon
I am aware that there are those who eagerly believe the worst about priests because it affirms their theological agenda and twisted stereotypes in spite of hard statistics to the contrary. I am also aware that such behavior is contrary to the Gospel.
Peace be with you
It's funny how that happens when things back-fire. lol.
The backfire is that the cited article had the same agenda as the Nazi Immorality Trials to undermine the moral authority of the Church through false public accusations of priestly impropriety.
If the worm now turns, then perhaps back-bite would have been more appropriate than backfire.
Have you caught wind of this? http://torontocatholicwitness.blogspot.com/2013/04/breaking-news-fr-matthew-despard-will.html and
Priest escapes sanction after bullying claims
SCOTLAND'S longest-serving Catholic bishop has backed down from moves to sanction a serving priest over claims the Church has covered up a culture of sexual bullying.[snip]
...However, amid concerns any action could simply add fuel to the controversial claims of Father Despard and embroil senior figures within the Church, Bishop Devine has abandoned any punitive action.
One senior source said simply: "Devine blinked."
A priest in good standing, writes a book, telling tales. His bishop makes some preliminary moves to schedule hearings, which many take as sign the bishop was trying to silence him fairly permanently, but "blinked". Still, it's understood there was some agreement to silence in the future. BUT the book is still out.
It's not working very well anymore, the intimidation game is failing...with your own objections here, not touching upon details of what is being spoken about, save in "editorial view" where ill motives (and worse) are being assigned to the messengers.
Should I ping Fr. Despard to make him aware that by your own broadly sweeping statements, he too is being compared to nazis (Godwin's law, anyone?) and is himself also "trying to undermine the moral authority" of [the RCC] "through false public presentations of priestly impropriety" by writing of his own experiences?
Product Description
Priesthood in Crisis is a story of one priest’s experience in the priesthood and his efforts to live out his vocation honourably despite his awareness of corruption in parts of the Church that he loves. His refusal to tow any line other than god's line earned him the enmity of many of his fellow priests and members of the hierarchy. Because of this, his priestly life was one of constant stress as he fought to serve his people with faith and the trust. This was often hampered by sinister machinations by those who could not tolerate his integrity. He did not want to write this book but recent revelations about the Church in Scotland meant that he could no longer remain silent. This is his story.
So far, it seems the only continent we haven't heard from concerning these types of things (with RCC priesthood involvement) is Antarctica.
According to the Catholic whistleblower, the number is not that low...In fact, he implies that it is very high...
Hey, I started reading some of those on the religious links you gave...This was one of the first I came across...
MINNEAPOLIS, MN-An organization calling itself SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) will file a lawsuit against an Episcopal priest who abused a California youngster years ago, and still serves in a parish today. David Clohessy, 46, a national director of SNAP told VIRTUOSITY that he could not name the priest pending the suit, but would release the name shortly. Clohessy did express one serious concern. "I fear that some 400 ex-Roman Catholic priests will surface in other denominations including the Episcopal Church." (Aug. 2, 2003)
I got a chuckle out of that...Did you???
Nobody has to dive to *prove* that priests are evil.
They are doing a good enough job of it all by themselves.
That seems to me, to be going way too far, as in including all priests indiscriminately.
I commend and thank you for your objectivity.
Peace be with you
Sure would be nice to see some objectivity amongst the Catholics and see them admit that molestation and rape by some of their priests is evil and that those who are turning a blind eye to it are just as guilty.
All we get is defense, excuses, and deflections.
It’s the rare Catholic who calls a spade a spade, condemns the actions, demands that something be done other than *reassigning* them.
Perhaps there are some priests who are not evil, but it sure seems to be the norm based on the widespread nature of the problem and it’s long term existence.
There is also evil widespread in the hierarchy who refuses to purge the ranks according to the commands in Scripture, 1 Corinthians 5, that the Catholic church CLAIMS that IT wrote.
Can you say *hypocrisy*?
Cause that’s what it is.
To see requires that one open their eyes. I pray that you do.
From the priest’s letter,
“As people become more enlightened (as in Europe)”
This is your major clue as to motive right there. I can guarantee you this is not just about lifting the celibacy discipline. This is about rejecting the whole sexual ethic of Catholicism.
This is not just about letting priests marry (that is a red herring) it is about the Church not blessing homosexual behavior. It is about the Church not permitting birth control or condoms. It is about the Church not being lead by the world in matters of faith and morals.
“Enlightened” is one of the words dissidents use to bash against Church teaching.
Read the full letter the priest wrote. There are five incidents cited which may nor not represent a larger total. Of course any incident of the violation of vows (especially if they involve criminal behavior) is wrong but pay attention to the body of the letter as a whole and you will see an important clue as to the agenda here.
From the priest’s letter,
“As people become more enlightened (as in Europe)”
This is your major clue as to motive right there. I can guarantee you this is not just about lifting the celibacy discipline. This is about rejecting the whole sexual ethic of Catholicism.
This is not just about letting priests marry (that is a red herring) it is about the Church not blessing homosexual behavior. It is about the Church not permitting birth control or condoms. It is about the Church not being lead by the world in matters of faith and morals.
“Enlightened” is one of the words dissidents use to bash against Church teaching.
Those who argue “Everybody’s doing it anyway so we might as well allow it.” often have a very different definition of “everybody” and “it” than you and I might. Remember how the camel’s nose of tolerance for homosexuals stuck its nose in the tent only to turn into demands of approval? This is how that sort of thing starts.
Did you miss the part about the allegations he made will be investigated?
Did you miss the part about the allegations he made will be investigated?
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