Without any doubt; the world's greatest scandal. As you are well aware, Tom, I have been writing about this since Eden. Their time will come; it HAS to.
And even now the Catholic church seems to consider itself above the law. They seem to have eased off on the old ploy of offering the afflicted credit in Heaven, and instead are retreating behind an institutional fog.
I was raised Catholic, and then rebelled. I feel like I'm still rebelling, but I have a deep sympathy for the church. It's a beautiful religion with medieval tendencies; priests should be married, and women should be allowed to preach. Little things would create a healthy reformation, if that makes any sense.
I think this has been going on as long as there has been priests. I have to wonder if this would be such a problem if priests were allowed to marry.
I totally agree with Mise that the Catholic church seems to consider itself above the law. My in-laws are Catholic and drive to another town to go to church because of the actions of several of the priests in the local parish.
I just read yesterday that the whole sex-abuse thing has gotten better here in America. I don't know how they test something like that, but . . . okay.
My bother went to a seminary for high school and then college, and he could tell you some stories. Basically, boys—and men, hell everyone—need to have a healthy sexual outlet. There's no Holy Grail, and no need for chastity. Chastity=bad.
Chastity= Bad, so Rape=OK? I know that's not what you were saying, Amy, but I don't see why the priests cannot enjoy a spot of Onanism which will be forgiven, rather than all the other stuff.
I was also raised a catholic although I'm too lazy. lapsed and forgetful to be anything now. Still, I met some very wonderful and I believe rather holy people, including priests, in the church when I was going through a bad time about twenty years ago. Personally it doesn't seem like a natural condition to me - all this chastity thing, which is probably why it goes so terribly and repugnantly wrong in institutions. The ideals of catholicism are rather inhumanly high, but I do agree with Amy. I sometimes even miss it myself, but know I'm all too human...
Yes, VallyP - of course they are not all bad (the clergy), but even the good ones are wracked with guilt, and even lapsed catholics seem to be guilt-ridden for allowing themselves to turn their backs on the crucifixion.
When they were helpful to you 20 years ago, as you were going through a bad time, there could have been ample opportunity to take advantage of your vulnerablity caused by a state of weakness for whatever reason, and it sounds as if they did not exploit it. What is most despicable in the current scandal is the exploitation of the vulnerable by people who have put themselves in a position of power, and which power is supposed to have been invested in them by God. This is the ultimate betrayal.
It is a fact that Christianity seems to attract a disproportionate amount of mentally ill people, and paedophilia is a symptom of mental illness, without a doubt.
Reminds me of Sinnead O'Connor and how she was ridiculed by people (including me) when she raised the alarm back in the day. We all thought it was cheap celebrity stunt.
Now....
It might take another Reformation to clean up this mess. I'm not a fan of torture (insert understatement here) but I wouldn't mind seeing a few these jackholes to be put to the Question, dunce caps and all.
It's going to take a while to sort this one out - maybe as long as the cover-up has been going on. How long do you think that was?
Maybe I should have included the word 'chocolate' in this post - it seems to work for everyone else.
ReplyDeleteWithout any doubt; the world's greatest scandal. As you are well aware, Tom, I have been writing about this since Eden. Their time will come; it HAS to.
ReplyDeleteAnd even now the Catholic church seems to consider itself above the law. They seem to have eased off on the old ploy of offering the afflicted credit in Heaven, and instead are retreating behind an institutional fog.
ReplyDeleteI was raised Catholic, and then rebelled. I feel like I'm still rebelling, but I have a deep sympathy for the church. It's a beautiful religion with medieval tendencies; priests should be married, and women should be allowed to preach. Little things would create a healthy reformation, if that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having beautiful day. Peace.
I've got medieval tendencies, Amy. We had our reformation a few hundred years ago, and now all those fears about Papism are coming home!
ReplyDeleteIf there is no forgiveness Mise, then I'm glad I didn't convert - what's the point???
I think this has been going on as long as there has been priests. I have to wonder if this would be such a problem if priests were allowed to marry.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Mise that the Catholic church seems to consider itself above the law. My in-laws are Catholic and drive to another town to go to church because of the actions of several of the priests in the local parish.
I just read yesterday that the whole sex-abuse thing has gotten better here in America. I don't know how they test something like that, but . . . okay.
ReplyDeleteMy bother went to a seminary for high school and then college, and he could tell you some stories. Basically, boys—and men, hell everyone—need to have a healthy sexual outlet. There's no Holy Grail, and no need for chastity. Chastity=bad.
Chastity= Bad, so Rape=OK? I know that's not what you were saying, Amy, but I don't see why the priests cannot enjoy a spot of Onanism which will be forgiven, rather than all the other stuff.
ReplyDeleteI was also raised a catholic although I'm too lazy. lapsed and forgetful to be anything now. Still, I met some very wonderful and I believe rather holy people, including priests, in the church when I was going through a bad time about twenty years ago. Personally it doesn't seem like a natural condition to me - all this chastity thing, which is probably why it goes so terribly and repugnantly wrong in institutions. The ideals of catholicism are rather inhumanly high, but I do agree with Amy. I sometimes even miss it myself, but know I'm all too human...
ReplyDeleteYes, VallyP - of course they are not all bad (the clergy), but even the good ones are wracked with guilt, and even lapsed catholics seem to be guilt-ridden for allowing themselves to turn their backs on the crucifixion.
ReplyDeleteWhen they were helpful to you 20 years ago, as you were going through a bad time, there could have been ample opportunity to take advantage of your vulnerablity caused by a state of weakness for whatever reason, and it sounds as if they did not exploit it. What is most despicable in the current scandal is the exploitation of the vulnerable by people who have put themselves in a position of power, and which power is supposed to have been invested in them by God. This is the ultimate betrayal.
It is a fact that Christianity seems to attract a disproportionate amount of mentally ill people, and paedophilia is a symptom of mental illness, without a doubt.
Reminds me of Sinnead O'Connor and how she was ridiculed by people (including me) when she raised the alarm back in the day. We all thought it was cheap celebrity stunt.
ReplyDeleteNow....
It might take another Reformation to clean up this mess. I'm not a fan of torture (insert understatement here) but I wouldn't mind seeing a few these jackholes to be put to the Question, dunce caps and all.
Well said, Raf, but remember, only God can forgive. I smell fire and brimstone...
ReplyDelete