Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

21 Priests Suspended in Philadelphia
New York Times ^ | March 8, 2011 | Katharine Q. Seelve

Posted on 03/09/2011 6:16:29 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Tuesday that it had suspended 21 priests from active ministry in connection with accusations that involved sexual abuse or otherwise inappropriate behavior with minors.

The mass suspension was the single-most sweeping in the history of the sexual-abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, said Terence McKiernan, president of BishopAccountability.org, which archives documents from the abuse scandal in dioceses across the country.

The archdiocese’s action follows a damning grand jury report issued Feb. 10 that accused the archdiocese of a widespread cover-up of predatory priests, stretching over decades, and said that as many as 37 priests remained active in the ministry despite credible accusations against them.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Ministry/Outreach; Moral Issues
KEYWORDS: catholicchurch; philadelphia
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140 ... 201-214 next last
To: presently no screen name

Forbidding to marry is a clear mark of a cult which Paul warns us of in no uncertain terms.

Same with abstaining from certain foods, ie. no meat on Friday, and that sort of thing.


101 posted on 03/13/2011 5:55:30 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: HossB86
If Tradition precedes scripture, then why do we need scripture? If Tradition is what is needed to PROVE what IS scripture, why not rely on "Tradition" alone?

EXACTLY!!!

102 posted on 03/13/2011 6:00:26 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: HossB86; metmom
A Brief History of Celibacy - FutureChurch

First Century
Peter, the first pope, and the apostles that Jesus chose were, for the most part, married men. The New Testament implies that women presided at eucharistic meals in the early church.

Second and Third Century
Age of Gnosticism: light and spirit are good, darkness and material things are evil. A person cannot be married and be perfect. However, most priests were married.

Fourth Century
306-Council of Elvira, Spain, decree #43: a priest who sleeps with his wife the night before Mass will lose his job.
325-Council of Nicea: decreed that after ordination a priest could not marry. Proclaimed the Nicene Creed.
352-Council of Laodicea: women are not to be ordained. This suggests that before this time there was ordination of women.
385-Pope Siricius left his wife in order to become pope. Decreed that priests may no longer sleep with their wives.

Fifth Century
401-St. Augustine wrote, “Nothing is so powerful in drawing the spirit of a man downwards as the caresses of a woman.”

Sixth Century
567-2nd Council of Tours: any cleric found in bed with his wife would be excommunicated for a year and reduced to the lay state.
580-Pope Pelagius II: his policy was not to bother married priests as long as they did not hand over church property to wives or children.
590-604-Pope Gregory “the Great” said that all sexual desire is sinful in itself (meaning that sexual desire is intrinsically evil?).

Seventh Century
France: documents show that the majority of priest were married.

Eighth Century
St. Boniface reported to the pope that in Germany almost no bishop or priest was celibate.

Ninth Century
836-Council of Aix-la-Chapelle openly admitted that abortions and infanticide took place in convents and monasteries to cover up activities of uncelibate clerics.
St. Ulrich, a holy bishop, argued from scripture and common sense that the only way to purify the church from the worst excesses of celibacy was to permit priests to marry.

Eleventh Century
1045- Benedict IX dispensed himself from celibacy and resigned in order to marry.
1074-Pope Gregory VII said anyone to be ordained must first pledge celibacy: ‘priests [must] first escape from the clutches of their wives.’
1095-Pope Urban II had priests’ wives sold into slavery, children were abandoned.

Twelfth Century
1123-Pope Calistus II: First Lateran Council decreed that clerical marriages were invalid.
1139-Pope Innocent II: Second Lateran Council confirmed the previous council’s decree.

Fourteenth Century
Bishop Pelagio complains that women are still ordained and hearing confessions.

Fifteenth Century
Transition; 50% of priests are married and accepted by the people.

Sixteenth Century
1545-63-Council of Trent states that celibacy and virginity are superior to marriage.
1517-Martin Luther.
1530-Henry VIII.

Seventeenth Century
Inquisition. Galileo. Newton.

Eighteenth Century
1776-American Declaration of Independence.
1789-French Revolution.

Nineteenth Century
1804-Napoleon.
1882-Darwin.
1847-Marx, Communist Manifesto.
1858-Freud.
1869-First Vatican Council; infallibility of pope.

Twentieth Century
1930-Pope Pius XI: sex can be good and holy.
1951-Pope Pius XII: married Lutheran pastor ordained catholic priest in Germany.
1962-Pope John XXIII: Vatican Council II; vernacular; marriage is equal to virginity.
1966-Pope Paul VI: celibacy dispensations.
1970s-Ludmilla Javorova and several other Czech women ordained to serve needs of women imprisoned by Communists.
1978-Pope John Paul II: puts a freeze on dispensations.
1983-New Canon Law.
1980-Married Anglican/Episcopal pastors are ordained as catholic priests in the U.S.; also in Canada and England in 1994.

 


Popes who were married

St. Peter, Apostle
St. Felix III 483-492 (2 children)
St. Hormidas 514-523 (1 son)
St. Silverus (Antonia) 536-537
Hadrian II 867-872 (1 daughter)
Clement IV 1265-1268 (2 daughters)
Felix V 1439-1449 (1 son)

 


Popes who were the sons of other popes, other clergy

Name of Pope Papacy Son of
St. Damascus I 366-348 St. Lorenzo, priest
St. Innocent I 401-417 Anastasius I
Boniface 418-422 son of a priest
St. Felix 483-492 son of a priest
Anastasius II 496-498 son of a priest
St. Agapitus I 535-536 Gordiaous, priest
St. Silverus 536-537 St. Homidas, pope
Deusdedit 882-884 son of a priest
Boniface VI 896-896 Hadrian, bishop
John XI 931-935 Pope Sergius III
John XV 989-996 Leo, priest

 

Popes who had illegitimate children after 1139

Innocent VIII 1484-1492 several children
Alexander VI 1492-1503 several children
Julius 1503-1513 3 daughters
Paul III 1534-1549 3 sons, 1 daughter
Pius IV 1559-1565 3 sons
Gregory XIII 1572-1585 1 son

 

History sources:
Oxford Dictionary of Popes; H.C. Lea History of Sacerdotal Celibacy in the Christian Church 1957; E. Schillebeeckx The Church with a Human Face 1985; J. McSorley Outline History of the Church by Centuries 1957; F.A.Foy (Ed.) 1990 Catholic Almanac 1989; D.L. Carmody The Double Cross - Ordination, Abortion and Catholic Feminism 1986; P.K. Jewtt The Ordination of Women 1980; A.F. Ide God's Girls - Ordination of Women in the Early Christian & Gnostic Churches 1986; E. Schüssler Fiorenza In Memory of Her 1984; P. DeRosa Vicars of Christ 1988.

Also, list of sexually active popes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

103 posted on 03/13/2011 6:03:26 PM PDT by daniel1212 ( "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out," Acts 3:19)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: Cincincinati Spiritus

Yes, Roman Catholics even get infant baptism wrong. Infants are not regenerated at baptism. Baptism is a sign and seal of the grace God has given to His family.


104 posted on 03/13/2011 6:06:33 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: Lorica
We have James 2

All Christians "have James 2."

But apparently not all understand James 2.

I will repeat MY POST 59 on this thread in the hopes it will sink in. It's not difficult...

POST 59...

James is saying that if a person does not display the fruit of the Holy Spirit, the good works of Christ within them, then it is doubtful they have been given true faith since true faith will result in good works.

And that is the only verse Roman Catholics can hinge their heresy of a works-based salvation on. One verse and still they get that verse wrong.

Paul corrected that error dozens of times...

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." -- Romans 4:4-5


"Knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of the law: for by works of the law shall no flesh be justified." -- Galatians 2:16

Good works are the result of God's free and merciful gift of salvation; not the cause of it or else men would have reason to boast. And boy, does Rome boast.

It's no coincidence Rome doesn't understand God's free grace; it's so much more fun and self-satisfying to congratulate themselves for their salvation than to thank the Triune God alone for rescuing them from the penalty of their sins.

Read your Bible and learn the truth.

For good measure, I'll include MY POST 86...just in case more evidence is required...

POST 86...

Both words (faith and works) are used in Scripture, but they are not both requirements for salvation. The only requirement for salvation is the grace of God which He distributes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Good works are the fruit of this faith, the merciful result of the free gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Good works are the evidence of our salvation, not a requirement for it as Ephesians 2 tells us yet again...

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast." -- Ephesians 2:8-9

Do Roman Catholics include these verses in their Bible?


105 posted on 03/13/2011 6:16:51 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: daniel1212

ooops.....


106 posted on 03/13/2011 6:17:13 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: Hacksaw; Dr. Eckleburg
Southern Baptists Reject Sex Abuse Database

Courtesy of the linked site: But it rejected establishing a new Southern Baptist database, arguing it would be impossible to build a comprehensive list. Referring churches to a more exhaustive federal database is better than a limited "Baptist only" system that predators could slip through, it said.

107 posted on 03/13/2011 6:18:32 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: HossB86

Great post.

To believe “tradition precedes Scripture” means “tradition precedes the word of God” which is Christ.

Tradition precedes Christ.

Folly and so much worse.


108 posted on 03/13/2011 6:20:25 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Eckleburg

I read the grand jury report. I wish I hadn’t. What totally depraved monsters they are! Hell will be too good for them.


109 posted on 03/13/2011 6:20:25 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: boatbums
I read the grand jury report. I wish I hadn’t. What totally depraved monsters they are! Hell will be too good for them.

I couldn't finish it. It was so barbaric and vile.

What RC apologists overlook is that the Philadelphia grand jury issued a similar report in 2005 and nothing was done to stop the rape of children in the care of the Roman Catholic church.

Six years later and the only thing that changed was that the corruption was worse!

I commend you for reading the report. Every single Roman Catholic reading these comments should read the grand jury reports for themselves here in POST 52 and decide for themselves.

PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY REPORTS FROM 2005 AND 2011

110 posted on 03/13/2011 6:28:17 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: boatbums; Hacksaw
"But it rejected establishing a new Southern Baptist database, arguing it would be impossible to build a comprehensive list. Referring churches to a more exhaustive federal database is better than a limited "Baptist only" system that predators could slip through, it said."

Thank you for taking more time than I did to read that link and see that the Southern Baptists actually went above and beyond what was asked of them in providing information about possible pedophiles.

The differences in handling these pedophiles between Rome and the rest of the civilized world grow.

111 posted on 03/13/2011 6:35:07 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 107 | View Replies]

To: daniel1212; metmom

Sorry, but I need to attend to the Quake thread.

LUB.


112 posted on 03/13/2011 6:35:51 PM PDT by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: metmom
There is no knowledge of Truth outside Scripture. If tradition supersedes Scripture, Scripture is meaningless. there’s no need for it. All we have to rely on then is church tradition.

Which is exactly what Rome does whenever its doctrines conflict with Scripture.

What better evidence is there than Rome calling Mary a "co-redeemer" and praying to other "mediators" and believing priests are "another Christ."

School children can recite the Scriptures that deny these blasphemies.

113 posted on 03/13/2011 6:38:52 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 98 | View Replies]

To: presently no screen name
Amen! What could be clearer than the verses you cite?

1 Timothy 4

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by THOSE WHO BELIEVE and WHO KNOW THE TRUTH.

So those who "forbid people to marry" have "abandoned the faith and are following deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."

What could be clearer???

114 posted on 03/13/2011 6:48:50 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: daniel1212
Thanks for another informative, well-documented comment.

Note that some RCs attempt to make all the apostles single, but which would require that all their wives all died or left them, which is highly force idea, as marriage was the norm, and they usually followed the father’s lead, and while the apostles did leave “all” (Mk. 10:28) a permanent forsaking would be contrary to the principle state in Mk. 7:10-13 and the requirements of marriage commanded in Mt. 19:1-9; and 1Cor. 7:10,11,16.

AMEN!

115 posted on 03/13/2011 6:51:32 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 95 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Eckleburg
Good works are the evidence of our salvation, not a requirement for it as Ephesians 2 tells us

I've been thinking about this for while now and especially in light of the recent child sexual abuse and rape that has become so exposed lately. What I think, that you expressed about good works being an evidence of genuine faith in Christ, is that those who have committed such horrific sins are plainly NOT truly living the Christian life of a Holy Spirit indwelt believer.

There is just no way that I can imagine any genuine believer can continue in such horrid and desperately wicked actions. Now I fully realize that we all have failures at times, but any Spirit-filled Christian will not be able to continue in that sin. We are changed in our natures by the new birth and we are chastised as children of God because he loves us and wants us to live holy lives. There will be a deep conviction of sin and a deep discomfort of not facing up to it, confessing and repenting of our sins before our loving Heavenly Father.

Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them. These people who not only continued in gross sin but delighted in it and joined with others in their sins show to me that they are NOT true Christians. I don't care how long they have been in ministry nor how much they have "sacrificed" for God, they will be the ones that Jesus tells to get behind him because he never knew them. They were NEVER his.

116 posted on 03/13/2011 6:54:45 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: Cincincinati Spiritus
Moreover, in reading the sixth session of Trent, it seems clear that by grace and grace alone we are saved, though we must do good works

Nothing postures double-speak like the Councils of Trent.

So is it grace "alone" or are good works "necessary?"

Because if our good works are "necessary," then it isn't faith "alone"; it's grace AND good works.

Without our assent of will, our co-operation (working with God), we cannot be saved.

The natural man cannot "assent" to God because He does not understand the things of God and all his works are as filthy rags to God because "whatever is not of faith is sin."

The only person capable of an "assent of will" and good works is one who first has been reborn by the Holy Spirit. His will has been changed from self-love to God-glorifying, and thus he will want to obey and be saved.

No "cooperation" required.

Only the free, unearned gift of the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding of Scripture and bring us to Christ in faith.

117 posted on 03/13/2011 7:00:55 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]

To: Cincincinati Spiritus; presently no screen name

I was going to ping you to post 90 but I see you already have been pinged.

Did it help?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2686338/posts?page=90#90


118 posted on 03/13/2011 7:03:47 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]

To: Lorica
We have James 2

All Christians "have James 2."

But apparently not all understand James 2.

I will repeat MY POST 59 on this thread in the hopes it will sink in. It's not difficult...

POST 59...

James is saying that if a person does not display the fruit of the Holy Spirit, the good works of Christ within them, then it is doubtful they have been given true faith since true faith will result in good works.

And that is the only verse Roman Catholics can hinge their heresy of a works-based salvation on. One verse and still they get that verse wrong.

Paul corrected that error dozens of times...

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." -- Romans 4:4-5


"Knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of the law: for by works of the law shall no flesh be justified." -- Galatians 2:16

Good works are the result of God's free and merciful gift of salvation; not the cause of it or else men would have reason to boast. And boy, does Rome boast.

It's no coincidence Rome doesn't understand God's free grace; it's so much more fun and self-satisfying to congratulate themselves for their salvation than to thank the Triune God alone for rescuing them from the penalty of their sins.

Read your Bible and learn the truth.

For good measure, I'll include MY POST 86...just in case more evidence is required...

POST 86...

Both words (faith and works) are used in Scripture, but they are not both requirements for salvation. The only requirement for salvation is the grace of God which He distributes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Good works are the fruit of this faith, the merciful result of the free gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Good works are the evidence of our salvation, not a requirement for it as Ephesians 2 tells us yet again...

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast." -- Ephesians 2:8-9

Do Roman Catholics include these verses in their Bible?

And here's one more at post 71

James said faith without good works is a dead faith.

No one disagrees with that fact.

Good works are the evidence of our salvation, not a requirement for it.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast." -- Ephesians 2:8-9

How much clearer do the words have to get? The correct and Scriptural understanding does not deny either Paul or James. The Roman Catholic understanding clearly denies Paul.

Again.


119 posted on 03/13/2011 7:27:42 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: boatbums
I've been thinking about this for while now and especially in light of the recent child sexual abuse and rape that has become so exposed lately. What I think, that you expressed about good works being an evidence of genuine faith in Christ, is that those who have committed such horrific sins are plainly NOT truly living the Christian life of a Holy Spirit indwelt believer.

There is just no way that I can imagine any genuine believer can continue in such horrid and desperately wicked actions. Now I fully realize that we all have failures at times, but any Spirit-filled Christian will not be able to continue in that sin. We are changed in our natures by the new birth and we are chastised as children of God because he loves us and wants us to live holy lives. There will be a deep conviction of sin and a deep discomfort of not facing up to it, confessing and repenting of our sins before our loving Heavenly Father.

Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them. These people who not only continued in gross sin but delighted in it and joined with others in their sins show to me that they are NOT true Christians. I don't care how long they have been in ministry nor how much they have "sacrificed" for God, they will be the ones that Jesus tells to get behind him because he never knew them. They were NEVER his.

AMEN to every word.

While we always hold out hope that a sinner will be brought to the recognition of the depths of their sins and will be made to truly sorrow for their transgressions against a perfect God and repent and obey and believe and evidence the new birth by good fruit instead of evil fruit, the overriding reality is that there are two and only two types of people in this world - the acquitted and the condemned; the redeemed and the reprobate; the sheep and the wolves.

"There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain." -- Ezekiel 22:25-27

Rome is no place for children.
120 posted on 03/13/2011 7:38:04 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140 ... 201-214 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson