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Masters_Servant
Guest
Protestant churches do not recognize the office of “priest”. Furthermore, in all of this where do we find the answers? The Word of God. If it were used as the standard, then anyone who know of and did not report such crimes against children or anyone for that matter is complicit in that action and as a person who represents God on earth, they are held to a higher standard, above reproach…when they fail to meet that standard, then they should resign and do the time in the case of criminal activity.What is the accusation? That Pope Benedict was implicit in the cover up of the Wisconsin Priest. The accusation is false!
As a Protestant you tell me, how did the Protestant Church deal with sex abuses cases in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s? Where all the cases reported to the police, and the Priests prosecuted if found guilty, or where there coverups as well? Sending the Priests away to be cured?
The same must of been done in all the Churches, regardless of denomination, in all the religions!
The view back then was that pedophilia was something that could be cured! That was the general view! I’m not defending the horrible things that when on but you have put this in perspective!
We had a preacher who resigned recently because he brought before the congregation a person to be the youth minister and to fill in when the pastor was gone, an associate pastor, but this associate pastor was having marital problems that were serious and the pastor knew about it and never told the congregation. Later when it was found out, the pastor was dismissed as the associate pastor left his wife, the church, and filed for divorce.
Our pastor was not above reproach on that issue and was dismissed, how much more does what we see apply to 1 timothy 5?
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
The qualifications as presented in 1 Tim 3 and Titus were upheld, the problems would vanish. When a Baptist preacher lies, cheats steals or God forbid molests, they are exposed, sent to the authorities, tried and will never preach again. This happened with a church nearby and the preacher was caught stealing; he is now in jail and will never be behind a pulpit again - end of story.