Der Spiegel: The Vatican Closes Ranks

[NewEnglandPriest]

spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,704772,00.html

This spring, it looked as though the Catholic Church was finally going to confront charges of sexual abuse head on. Following recent police raids in Belgium, however, the Vatican has once again closed ranks. In the internal Holy See debate, the conservatives have regained the upper hand.

This has led to a power struggle between liberal and conservative forces in the Vatican. The conservatives in the church state see the zero-tolerance policy of US bishops as a means of curtailing the rights of accused priests. By contrast, liberal spirits are pushing to rapidly investigate and refer cases to secular authorities.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Thanks for posting the article, Father. Interesting that there appears to be, at least as reported, in-fighting within the hierarchy over this.

Nevertheless (and though I won’t derail the thread), I was as interested in this article on Page One:

The Sexual Revolution and Children: How the Left Took Things Too Far

I tried to post the url, but was unsuccessful several times.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

I was as interested in this article on Page One:

The Sexual Revolution and Children: How the Left Took Things Too Far

I tried to post the url, but was unsuccessful several times.

spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,702679,00.html

 

[AnotherVoice]

When it comes to news about the Catholic Church I don’t view Der Spiegel as a reliable source.

 

[Coleski]

The zero tolerance policy is a ruse. If the young man is under 18 there is zero tolerance if he’s over 18 he’s fair game.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

The zero tolerance policy is a ruse. If the young man is under 18 there is zero tolerance if he’s over 18 he’s fair game.

That’s not an accurate description. Our society generally recognizes that anyone under the age of 18 cannot truly give consent to a relationship with an authority figure or adult. However, over the age of 18 the possibility exists that the situation was not a “taking advantage” but rather simple sin on the parts of 2 parties. Big difference there.

If a priest took advantage of a vulnerable adult (which obviously is possible) then the bishop is probably not going to take him back too quickly…

 

[Neil_Anthony]

This article makes the mistake of assuming that the Vatican has to choose between two extreme courses of action: either ‘close ranks’ and cover everything up to protect accused clergy, or go completely open and allow any and all accusations and investigations and gossip to go forward.

In fact, the Holy Father has been acting consistently to address the problems while insisting on respect, confidentiality and fairness when appropriate.

 

[mdgspencer]

This artilce provides no evidence for such divisions in the Vatican. It simply says there are without providing any evidence.
I know that one thing that is said in this article is false. The article states that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Vatican has no immunity in a legal case in the U.S. No such decision was handed down by the court. The Supreme Court simply refused to take this case from a lower court, without comment.
What the Supreme Court did do or didn’t do in evident in the news, but the author is strangely ignorant of the truth in this matter. I don’t believe the rest that this magazine says about Vatican conflicts. I wonder if more of this article is inventive too, just like what it says about the Supreme Court.