Comments on: From Secular Neutrality to Open Hostility

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:31:31 +0000

Let us diagnose it with total clarity: this law is no law, although it is presented as such by some political and legislative bodies.

This is a great sentence, one that cuts to the heart of the issue, one that underlines the difference between Law and mere legislation.

I wish that American clerics (from all Churches) regularly spoke with this combination of conviction, simplicity, and philosophical rigor.

By: GeronimoRumplestiltskin

GeronimoRumplestiltskin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:44:04 +0000

JohnB:

I find it hard to believe that the

“Those in authority have done awful things that hurt children, therefore I am justified in advocating and supporting the destruction of unborn children.”

argument would come from an adult.

By: Ars Artium

Ars Artium — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:31:38 +0000

Dr. John M. Haas wrote (in 1990): “The priests are those who conspicuously manifest Christ in our midst. … They wear some external mark of who they are so that they are recognized by friend and foe alike … as priests of God. … Thus, when they fail the sacred trust, when they betray their sacral character as a total offering to God, the price exacted is often excruciating, not only for the priest but for the faithful as well.” We – all faithful priests and laity – are now paying the “excruciating” price. The burden is so heavy, not only within the Church but, alas, without; so many have “gone away sad”, those who, absent this horror, might have remained. Dr. Haas also wrote: “Just as the failings of a priest can weaken the entire Body of Christ, so too can his virtue strengthen it.” That, together with our own penance and prayer, is our hope.

By: JonathanR.

JonathanR. — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:07:59 +0000

“Advice from those who protected child abusers is the Catholic way – leave them out of the discussion on child safety and social reforms and incentives as they have no genuine desire to protect children, provide justice or to permit any other ideals than those these socially devoid men require to maintain their power crazed hold on the confused minds of their religious serfs.”

Oh please. The victims of sexual abuse are a mere pretext; a battering ram in the hands of a determined enemy. Notice how there is little on the need for secular authorities to combat sex abuse in their own backyards (public schools, etc.). They don’t care about the victims unless they are conveniently Catholic.

The Church’s biggest mistake in this regard was providing the enemy with that weapon.

(BTW, considering that sexual abuse is much more prolific in public schools and public institutions, are you willing to exclude the US government out of any rights and sex abuse discussions?)

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:46:01 +0000

John, gross generalizations are not the way for society to “move forward,” either. Like any other human organization, the Catholic Church has some bad elements, but it has much good in it, too. These good elements have been working hard to counteract the damage done by the abuse and the cover ups, but it seems that nothing is ever enough for people like you.

The faithful Catholic bishops and priests, religious and laypeople (that is, the majority of them) will continue to promote justice and mercy, just as they have done for centuries, ever since they first established the rule of law and the idea of true gentility in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. Try to take a long view of history, and think about what will replace God. Will it be the ego? the state? technology?

By: JohnB

JohnB — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:26:59 +0000

Lets hear the bishop talk about the right to justice and repair for clergy sexual abuse survivors. The credibility of Catholic clergy and their ability and perceived right to dictate to us how we should deal with our lives is shot to pieces.

Advice from those who protected child abusers. Regardless of their machinations, logic and purported ideals is still advice from those who protected pedophiles and covered up the sexual abuses of children and continue to this day to deny the right to justice for those harmed.

Advice from those who protected child abusers is the Catholic way – leave them out of the discussion on child safety and social reforms and incentives as they have no genuine desire to protect children, provide justice or to permit any other ideals than those these socially devoid men require to maintain their power crazed hold on the confused minds of their religious serfs.

Society will move forward faster and much safer without the babbling of child endangering fools.