News Story Today about the Pope

[Roblox84]

There are more sexual scandal attacks on the Pope today. I was going online when I just found this is the news. "Pope under fire for transfer, letter on sex abuse ". Just wanting to know what some people think about this?

 

[Dale_M]

Roblox, I know you read the story and are familiar with it, but many of us aren’t. Its often a good idea, when posting about a current news report, to include a link to it.

This seems to be the AP story you are referring to:

**Pope under fire for transfer, letter on sex abuse **

Germany’s sex abuse scandal has now reached Pope Benedict XVI: His former archdiocese disclosed that while he was archbishop a suspected pedophile priest was transferred to a job where he later abused children.

The pontiff is also under increasing fire for a 2001 Vatican document he later penned instructing bishops to keep such cases secret.

…the Munich archdiocese admitted that it had allowed a priest suspected of having abused a child to return to pastoral work in the 1980s, while Benedict was archbishop. It stressed that the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger didn’t know about the transfer and that it had been decided by a lower-ranking official.

The entire article can be read here:

wcfcourier.com/news/world/europe/article_4e16c177-6a3c-5a23-8abc-8e7b54e896c3.html

 

[Dokimas]

There are more sexual scandal attacks on the Pope today. I was going online when I just found this is the news. "Pope under fire for transfer, letter on sex abuse ". Just wanting to know what some people think about this?

I’m not catholic so it doesn’t effect (or is that affect) me at all. However, it does prove the point some of us here try to make: NO one is above sin and NO one deserves to be place is such high authority. Therefore, the ONLY thing we can trust is the Bible and we can pray that we are in right relationship with the Holy Spirit so we can understand and obey what we need to obey and follow our Lord Jesus Christ (hand in hand with other true believers no matter what church or denomination they belong to).

 

[firstmode]

VATICAN CITY – Germany’s sex abuse scandal has now reached Pope Benedict XVI: His former archdiocese disclosed that while he was archbishop a suspected pedophile priest was transferred to a job where he later abused children.

The pontiff is also under increasing fire for a 2001 Vatican document he later penned instructing bishops to keep such cases secret.

 

[Sherry_G]

I’m not catholic so it doesn’t effect (or is that affect) me at all. However, it does prove the point some of us here try to make: NO one is above sin and NO one deserves to be place is such high authority. Therefore, the ONLY thing we can trust is the Bible and we can pray that we are in right relationship with the Holy Spirit so we can understand and obey what we need to obey and follow our Lord Jesus Christ (hand in hand with other true believers no matter what church or denomination they belong to).

Your comments are showing your inability or unwillingness to understand the infallability issue for each of the succession of 266 Popes that have led the one true Church of Jesus Christ since the beginning of Christianity. Leading the Church in dogmatic and doctrinal issues in the only area of infallibility that is protected by the Holy Spirit’s guidance as Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church.

Of course, we are ALL sinners. However, your idea that YOU personally would be a much better leader is based on…WHAT?? Jesus came to teach us how to live in God’s grace and built a CHURCH, he did not come to write a book. In fact the Bible is a compilation of individual works, as guided by the Holy Spirit and that compilation was drawn together by the Catholic Church and our Bishops under the guidance of the Pope. I doubt that you or any other individual could have ever accomplished this great work or assembled our beautiful Bible. To the contrary, some individuals thinking that they themselves are much more competent in these matters have actually stripped out 7 of the great books of the Bible claiming to know better. Please, take some time to study history, pray and commit to working on understanding what Jesus accomplished by becoming like us in all things but sin. If all we need is a book, most of it was already written before Jesus showed up!

 

[Pilgrimage]

I’m not catholic so it doesn’t effect (or is that affect) me at all. However, it does prove the point some of us here try to make: NO one is above sin and NO one deserves to be place is such high authority. Therefore, the ONLY thing we can trust is the Bible and we can pray that we are in right relationship with the Holy Spirit so we can understand and obey what we need to obey and follow our Lord Jesus Christ (hand in hand with other true believers no matter what church or denomination they belong to).

I am not CC either, but I recognise that institutions are perfect places for Pedophiles to hide themselves. So often it is educated people who conceal themselves in positions of power and trust, they don’t care about Jesus or the church. Neither children or parents have the tools to fight because they come up against disbelief. When there is no disbelief there is often the issue of what the authority does about it and how they act upon it. By its very nature a position of power will attract accusations too, sometimes prolifically.

For example, St John of the Cross was accused of fathering a child that he couldn’t possibly have because he was elsewhere. If those in charge were to believe every accusation slung at priests, there simply wouldn’t be any priests. So church leaders are led to make wrong judgments all the time, but have to live with it and learn from it. They are effectively judging men who have wheedled their way into the church in the first place on lies and a desire to fulfill their lust. Others will have learned to lie because they have given into temptation and realise that their veil can be lifted.

Common sense is telling me, that while there were obviously some cases of abuse, there are many who have jumped on the financial band wagon. It’s illogical to suppose that the church didn’t have women around who would have seen and spoken out against any suspected abuse, or even men who had witnessed it too and brought an end to it. Even teachers, other members of society or other children. The very nature of Christ’s Word causes people to speak out against injustice and oppression, even within churches. People hear it and they act, because they are compelled to.

A refocusing on Christ’s Word and less on the laws of men governing the church is a good starting point. Because it would be the sickest of all churches if there wasn’t a soul who had no voice for these children and any children to come. (this is what evil doers would have people believe) The church has to be seen to do something great that will safe guard all future generations if it is to be healed. That does not come in the form of money either, it comes through change.

God bless

 

[1ke]

I’m not catholic so it doesn’t effect (or is that affect) me at all. However, it does prove the point some of us here try to make:

It “proves” nothing of the sort.

NO one is above sin and NO one deserves to be place is such high authority.

The one thing has nothing to do with the other. Sin and infallibility are not mutually exclusive.

You acknowledge the letters of St. Peter and St. Paul as Scripture and they had AUTHORITY and wrote INFALLABLY. Paul murdered Christians and Peter denied Christ. So, they both committed sins and yet had great authority.

Therefore, the ONLY thing we can trust is the Bible and we can pray that we are in right relationship with the Holy Spirit so we can understand and obey what we need to obey and follow our Lord Jesus Christ (hand in hand with other true believers no matter what church or denomination they belong to).

This conculsion does not follow at all. Please study some logic before trying to present such an argument. It wouldn’t hurt to study the doctrine of infallibility either. Knowledge of a subject does give one more credibility in a discussion.

 

[tweetymom]

I’m not catholic so it doesn’t effect (or is that affect) me at all. However, it does prove the point some of us here try to make: NO one is above sin and NO one deserves to be place is such high authority. Therefore, the ONLY thing we can trust is the Bible and we can pray that we are in right relationship with the Holy Spirit so we can understand and obey what we need to obey and follow our Lord Jesus Christ (hand in hand with other true believers no matter what church or denomination they belong to).

Agreedthe onlthing I trust is thr Bible and of couse my faith in Jesus. I am thankful that Only Jesus is my way to salvaton.

 

[BrianH]

This reflects his administrative abilities and a mindset. Its not a theological issue. He should have known. As an administrator the buck stops with you, that is part of the job. The other issue is that of abuse. In education, if a teacher molests a kid, they should be fired. If a priest molests a kid, they should be fired. Therapy is nice but it has nothing to do with keeping one’s job when it involves children. And all abuse must be reported to the police. Failure to do so, should also result in termination. That is the bottom line.

 

[tweetymom]

This reflects his administrative abilities and a mindset. Its not a theological issue. He should have known. As an administrator the buck stops with you, that is part of the job. The other issue is that of abuse. In education, if a teacher molests a kid, they should be fired. If a priest molests a kid, they should be fired. Therapy is nice but it has nothing to do with keeping one’s job when it involves children. And all abuse must be reported to the police. Failure to do so, should also result in termination. That is the bottom line.

Amen,Indeed the buck does stop at the top. Therapy is a moot!! How this can continue to be covered up is beyond me, thats as bad as the abuse IMHO. Doesn’t matter who does the abuse it is sick.

 

[CatholicGuy22]

Agreedthe onlthing I trust is thr Bible and of couse my faith in Jesus. I am thankful that Only Jesus is my way to salvaton.

You say you trust your bible but who are you to interpet it? Have you been giving this special ability from Jesus himself? There are millions of protestants like you who think they know the way but there is only one Catholic Church that has stayed the same since it was established by Christ.

God bless

 

[tweetymom]

You say you trust your bible but who are you to interpet it? Have you been giving this special ability from Jesus himself? There are millions of protestants like you who think they know the way but there is only one Catholic Church that has stayed the same since it was established by Christ.

God bless

The Holy Spirit.

 

[CatholicGuy22]

So does a million other people who say they are inspired by the holy spirit. What makes you so special? What seperates you from Mormons, Lutherans, ect… who say there are inspired?

 

[tweetymom]

So does a million other people who say they are inspired by the holy spirit. What makes you so special? What seperates you from Mormons, Lutherens, ect… who say there are inspired?

God Bless you as you continue on you journey of faith with Jesus to become a priest. I am abeliever in Christ and the only thing special about me is I have Jesus in my life and am glad you do too.

 

[CatholicGuy22]

Thank you for the nice comments and God bless you too.

 

[twopekinguys]

This reflects his administrative abilities and a mindset. Its not a theological issue. He should have known. As an administrator the buck stops with you, that is part of the job. The other issue is that of abuse. In education, if a teacher molests a kid, they should be fired. If a priest molests a kid, they should be fired. Therapy is nice but it has nothing to do with keeping one’s job when it involves children. And all abuse must be reported to the police. Failure to do so, should also result in termination. That is the bottom line.

But you can’t fire someone just because of an accusation. If everyone who got accused of something was fired, no one would be working.

I have seen cases (locally) where a man has been accused of rape, assault, or some other crime of violence. He has lost his job, family, standing in the community, all based upon an accusation, and before an investigation or trial.

His reputation is ruined.

Then, once the investigation and/or trial is complete, he is found innocent. His reputation is still ruined, he is still unemployed, he has to reconcile with friends and family, all because of an unfounded accusation.

I firmly believe that if it is proven that someone has committed the act, then yes, by all means punish them, and fire them. I also believe that if someone is “accused” of this act, then he should be removed from any ministry that involves children, until the investigation or trial is complete. But not remove him from the priesthood based on an accusation.

I also have to agree with an earlier poster “Pilgrimage”, when they say: “Common sense is telling me, that while there were obviously some cases of abuse, there are many who have jumped on the financial band wagon”

In this day and age, an accusation can do more harm than a conviction. How many times have you heard of someone apologizing for making an unfounded accusation? How many times have you heard of someone apologizing for beliving the unfounded accusation?

 

[adrift]

The article begins

The Vatican on Saturday denounced what it called aggressive attempts to drag Pope Benedict XVI into the spreading scandals of pedophile priests in his German homeland.

Also

In this photo released by Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, left, meets Archbishop Robert Zollitsch during an audience in his private library at the Vatican, Friday, March 12, 2010. Germany’s top bishop has informed Pope Benedict XVI on cases of clerical sex abuse in the pontiff’s native Germany and said the pope encouraged him to pursue the truth and assist the victims. Zollitsch said the pope was greatly dismayed and deeply moved as he was being briefed on the scandal during Friday’s meeting at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

as for

The pontiff is also under increasing fire for a 2001 Vatican document he later penned instructing bishops to keep such cases secret.

This document needs to be seen in context not just someone reporting on it. I have seen this charge made before but fall apart under scrutiny. The charge I saw before was actually an attempt to protect the innocent.

 

[aquabatix]

What is truly sad is that the RCC is ALWAYS blamed as the “institution” that has this problem. EVERY church, no matter the denomination, has experienced this pain. Some have an organized hierarchy, some don’t. But only the RCC has come forward in the press to address it. I have heard of the same issues in Protestant sects, Anglican, Mormon or any other church. Most are hidden, privately addressed and never spoken of. I praise the RCC for dealing with these cases OPENLY and investegating each accusation, even the false ones. May any sinner be brought into the light, no matter what their religious tradition is.

 

[BrianH]

But you can’t fire someone just because of an accusation. If everyone who got accused of something was fired, no one would be working.

I have seen cases (locally) where a man has been accused of rape, assault, or some other crime of violence. He has lost his job, family, standing in the community, all based upon an accusation, and before an investigation or trial.

His reputation is ruined.

Then, once the investigation and/or trial is complete, he is found innocent. His reputation is still ruined, he is still unemployed, he has to reconcile with friends and family, all because of an unfounded accusation.

I firmly believe that if it is proven that someone has committed the act, then yes, by all means punish them, and fire them. I also believe that if someone is “accused” of this act, then he should be removed from any ministry that involves children, until the investigation or trial is complete. But not remove him from the priesthood based on an accusation.

I also have to agree with an earlier poster “Pilgrimage”, when they say: “Common sense is telling me, that while there were obviously some cases of abuse, there are many who have jumped on the financial band wagon”

In this day and age, an accusation can do more harm than a conviction. How many times have you heard of someone apologizing for making an unfounded accusation? How many times have you heard of someone apologizing for beliving the unfounded accusation?

Look at the story. I agree that you do not fire someone based upon an accusation. I understand due process.

They sent this man to therapy…or were going to. Do you send someone to therapy for an accusation alone? I doubt it. That is what my statement is based on. On the other hand, IF they sent a person or were going to send a person to therapy for an accusation alone, that is also awful management as well.
I am basing my statement of numerous links to the story which I have read including this
news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100313/ts_nm/us_germany_abuse_pope_13

Including this fact as well

On Friday, the pope’s former diocese of Munich confirmed a report that when he was an archbishop in 1980, he approved housing for a priest who was accused of forcing an 11-year-old boy to perform oral sex.

Six years later, the priest was given a suspended prison sentence for child sex offences. The archdiocese said the priest in question still works in Bavaria, with no known repeat violations.

Like I said, I don’t care about the theology argument. I am looking at the administrative side of it…

 

[BrianH]

What is truly sad is that the RCC is ALWAYS blamed as the “institution” that has this problem. EVERY church, no matter the denomination, has experienced this pain. Some have an organized hierarchy, some don’t. But only the RCC has come forward in the press to address it. I have heard of the same issues in Protestant sects, Anglican, Mormon or any other church. Most are hidden, privately addressed and never spoken of. I praise the RCC for dealing with these cases OPENLY and investegating each accusation, even the false ones. May any sinner be brought into the light, no matter what their religious tradition is.

Why would you say that? Did you look it up aquabatix? Before you stated something that is untrue…did you look it up? You should have. Shame on you.

nacba.net/Article/UMSPEAK.htm
anglicanprovince.org/APA%20Law/Sexual%20Conduct%20Policy/POLICY.pdf
lds.about.com/od/basicsgospelprinciples/p/abuse.htm
sbc.net/PDF/2008ReportSBC.pdf

Get your facts straight…