by Elizabeth (This place IS my Soap Opera) Larlham Oala
Member since:
January 18, 2009

Vatican...STILL Behind On Sexual Abuse

April 13, 2010 10:35 PM UTC
views: 0 | 7 people recommend this | comments: 39

I just read a short article about the Vatican declaring...

"...bishops and other church officials should report clerical sex abuse to police if required by law."

The word that struck me was IF.  IF? IF?  Really?  Why not, they have to report it, PERIOD?!  Why is it ANY kind of POSSIBLE choice?  Why is protecting PEDOPHILIC priests more important than protecting INNOCENT children?  Isn't that what they're SUPPOSED to do?  I really didn't think they could sink any lower...

Comments: 39

Kathy D. Apr 13, 2010, 10:41pm UTC
I don't understand this either
I don't even have the desire to understand it, if I ever do, please shoot me, I just want them to take their pee pees and stay out of Pee Wee baseball.
Bryan Bales Apr 13, 2010, 11:27pm UTC
That word "if" got me too! Reporting abuse ofAnyone should be a no brainer!
You'd think so, but apparently you'd be wrong.
Bryan Bales Apr 14, 2010, 2:55am UTC
Sadly yup.
You know, I don't think abuse could be considered counseling or confession... how could there be an if there?
They were "confessing" to each other and giving each other penance, that was their first shield.
Bert B. Apr 14, 2010, 1:36am UTC
The added sentence that was published on the Holy See's web site:
"Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed."
But much more significantly, a 2001 order from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) ordered bishops to deal with sexual abuse cases in secret. The Vatican denies tthat the 2001 directive prevented church officials from turning cases over to police when warranted.
The church further claims that the mandate to report crimes is not new, although they admit that it was not explicitly stated previously.
But critics claim that it has not been followed in many cases, and wasn't even the understanding of church officials who had to deal with the victims, according to Richard Sipe, a former priest.
I don't understand how ANYBODY could live with themselves, knowing this was going on, and not do anything about it.
Ellen B. Apr 14, 2010, 1:33pm UTC
I would think it would be required by law everywhere, (at least in the U.S) to report any sort of sexual abuse; especially a adult with a child. I talked to a priest about this once, and he even admitted; if a priest was caught molesting a child- they'd tell him to go to confession- and would just move him to another parish. I don't understand why "defrocking" never occured to them. ( I think that's the term)
I'm pretty sure it is in the US too, however, I'm not sure about places like Vatican City. As for why they wouldn't remove them, I have NO idea. Nor do I understand how you llive with yourself knowing this is going on and doing NOTHING to stop it.
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Apr 15, 2010, 11:39pm UTC
Yep it is required by law, should be required by law if guilty to be removed as well.
Georgiana S. Apr 14, 2010, 8:54pm UTC
diplomats and church men think they get a free pass or something, It is disgusting and the entire structure of this medieval practice of priests should just be abolished, a few do ruin it for the rest. There should be a law passed to demand they report these offences. The children need to be taught to holler if it happens to them!
Bert B. Apr 14, 2010, 9:23pm UTC
Amen, Georgie. Why is there a double standard for priests? Why aren't the abusive priests all in jail? Answer: Because the Vatican shields them and hides them from authorities because it might harm the image of the Church.
Right on Georgee!

Got it in one Bert.
Georgiana S. Apr 14, 2010, 9:52pm UTC
yes, and the pitifully superstitious will let the abuse carry on as they wouldn't want to go to hell!
These people all think by being religious they can do what they want, confess, do 5 hail mary's and go out and sin against children again and again!
Unfortunately, that's true, they DO believe that. However, I think if there is a "hell" there's a special place reserved for these "men".
Georgiana S. Apr 15, 2010, 10:57pm UTC
Men? they be not men, or they would go out to a singles bar instead of preying on kids and hiding behind the collar and screen of the confessional!
Yep, hence the quotes.
Ed Da Head Toker Apr 15, 2010, 3:23am UTC
to me, there is no if, there is a reason to report, then report it. Anything else short of total reporting and prosecution where it is needed, is done. and not doing is shielding.
I agree Ed, except it's not just shielding, it's actually ENCOURAGING them to do it again.
Ed Da Head Toker Apr 17, 2010, 12:13am UTC
unfortunately that is true.
Anything short of total reporting all "incidents" will leave them with a big credibility problem.
THAT may be the ONLY "good" thing to come out of this.
Ed Da Head Toker Apr 15, 2010, 3:25am UTC
God may forgive, but will those molested forgive??? I will not forgive my male parent for what he did..
I don't think even think their "God" would forgive them for this, I don't care what THEY believe. I know that no child ever will, however, I'm not so sure about some "parents"...
Ed Da Head Toker Apr 15, 2010, 3:26am UTC
Thank you for posting to our group; http://civilrights4all.gather.com/
Please keep posting to our group and ask others to join.
Stacey Mamasaid Apr 15, 2010, 12:35pm UTC
IF?! Children are innocent and as adults we must protect them against such predators. Many children are taught to honor, respect and listen to priests...just to be violated!? They are using their position to get away with criminal, immoral and unacceptable behavior. It needs to stop and the perpetrators need to be held accountable for their actions.
Stacey Mamasaid Apr 15, 2010, 12:37pm UTC
Congratulations on being featured at Gathering4Jesus

When you think what would Jesus do...he was kind to the children but that did NOT include molestation!
Exactly. Part of the probelm seems to be that the "church" wants to act like this is a "sex" problem, and it's really a power problem. These "men" are using their position, and thus their power, to harm, manipulate and destroy these children and thier lives. I don't understand how that is OK in ANY way.

As for Jesus, I think even He might set aside his "turn the other cheek" attitude for a minute.
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Apr 15, 2010, 11:43pm UTC
This to another instance I have asked about time and time again. That is the Amish, many of those girls marry at 16 yrs of age, not that I totally agree it is wrong. However, because of the religion it is okay for them to marry and get pregnant by an older man at 16. Yet if someone else does it they are pedophile. These girls don't pick their spouses their family does. Which means these girls are not condoning it.That in my view is molesting on both the families part and the guys part religion or not.
I think you may be thinking of Mormons. Fundamental Ammish kids (usually) choose to go on Rumspringa and aren't ALLOWED to a marry until they chose to be "baptized" into the church. They do have to have their families "approval" of the person they would like to marry, and are often "nudged" toward an "acceptable" spouse. (I grew up with and went ot school with both Ammish and Menonite kids)
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Apr 16, 2010, 12:31pm UTC
Ok thanks for the correction, same though with mormons then with what I said above. :)
No worries. It happens more often than you'd think, there aren't that many around most "urban" areas, so people aren't as familliar with either. As for the Mormons, it's usually the FLDS that are the offenders, however, there are instances of the "new" Mormon church doing these things too.
Christine Zibas Apr 16, 2010, 1:55am UTC
Having been raised as a Catholic, I find the continuing issue of child abuse and the Church's pitiful response distressing. I keep waiting for them to take decisive action to end this nightmare and signal dire consequences to any priest who abuses children, and they are still wishy-washy about an issue so obviously black and white. There should be no prevaricating. It's simple to see the injustice here.
I wasn't raised as anything, but I grew up with, and have, quite a few Catholic friends, I feel for you.
Austin Cushing Apr 20, 2010, 12:51pm UTC
This content has reached at least ten comments and has been cleared from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!

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