Nope, they sure don't, otherwise they wouldn't keep admitting them to the seminaries.
My family has been Catholic for at least 1000 years, and I must say this tragedy in the Church is a nightmare to me.
How do I know, for example, that the man I'm confessing to isn't buggering boys, now or in the past?
I hate the thought of it.
Perhaps this study will answer some questions? I hope so.
My God, what a mess.
From what I've heard, of almost every priest who was found to have molested young men, most parishoners had some sense that something was amiss, they just couldn't pinpoint it. There have been some instances where people openly talked about how wierd the priest was, but they still let their kids go off alone with him.
Does he go out of his way to be alone with the kids in the Parish? Does he get angry if anyone questions why he would do that? If he does, I'd probably be suspicious. If he doesn't, and because of that, you don't get the feeling he might be involved in anything like this, he's probably not.
I do believe that a priest can validly exercise the Sacrament of Reconciliation, even if he himself is in a state of mortal sin, so you needn't worry if that's the case.
Fill in the blank....
stealing
lying
coveting
worshipping another god
lazy
womanizing
mean to his mom/dad
(You get the picture....)
The answer is: You don't!
So why do you 'confess' to this guy in the FIRST place?
Tradition or Scripture?
NIV Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
NIV Hebrews 7:28
For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
NIV Hebrews 8:1-2
1. The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
2. and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
NIV 1 Peter 2:4-5
4. As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--
5. you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.NIV 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
NIV Revelation 1:5-6
5. and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
6. and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
NIV Revelation 5:10
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
How do you know the man hearing confession isn't 'buggering boys now or in the past?'
Well- I ASK him before going into the confessional, or even attending their mass!
Needless to say, they don't appreciate it.
Too damned bad if they're 'insulted'. If they're homosexual, they are not legitimate priests. Any priest who gets defensive, instead of understanding, I consider an imposter.
I think I have a right to ask if the holy rites he would perfom would be as null and void as his vows.
And it's not just about 'buggering boys'.
I don't want priests buggering grown men, or each other either!
If homosexuality is removed from the picture, the pedophilia issue AND the celibacy issue is-for the most part- solved.
I rejoice that the priest who may be "buggering boys" forgives my sins and has the power "in persona Christi"
to restore me to life in my savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord.