How the hierarchy "handled the pedophilia scandal." 1) shuttled offenders from parish to parish for years, 2) paid off and/ or intimidated victims to quiet them, 3) suppressed reporting to authorities (it was Ratzinger that formally reinforcing this 1962 order, by the way) on pain of excommunication. 4) shifted blame to an innocent group (gay priests) despite obvious differences between homosexuality and pedophilia, and blamed the reporting on anti-Catholicism to discredit the whistle blowers. A conspiracy to obstruct justice, keep the crimes secret, and keep the offenders from receiving civil punishment. Organized by the top levels of the church from parish to bishops to inside the Vatican (namely, a person who is now the Pope). The word "systemic" comes to mind. If the Boston Globe (and others) hadn't started reporting on this in 2002, would there be any fundamental change in the way the church "handled the scandal?" I am aware the Catholic Church does a great many good things, for a great many people world-wide. Question is, how much bad leaven does it take to label the entire dough a criminal loaf? And the pedophilia scandal, is just a part of the bad leaven I could go into. If this were any other organization where would people draw the line? They don't get a "pass" from me because they are a religious entity. If anything, I hold them to a higher standard. I'll grant that there are reformers in the hierarchy and laity, but when the head of the church is involved... ((http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Apr05/Whitney0426.htm) or Google his role in the obstruction.) This being said, we can just agree to disagree on this, as it is off topic to the original post.

by SharonB on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 02:47:48 PM EST
Parent