So once again the catholic church lets itself off?

Question

With a slap on the wrist.

And the worst part of it all is, all the perpatrators have escaped justice and still have access to children.

What sheep the church members are to allow this travesty of justice.

Time for the attorney general to DEMAND that they be handed over.

Answer 1

Are you talking about the settlement in LA? That's a hell-a-lot more than the LA Public Schools pay their victims ... so yes, I think It's a show that the Catholic Church will step up to compensate and make penance.

Did you know that if a Public High School child gets molested that they can only receive up to $50,000.00 IF they report such molestation within 180 days (1/2 a year) ... that's what you should be freaking over.

Also, when the Catholic Church calls the local police and the Priests get put in jail ... they're out in about the same time that other criminals like John Mark Karr (who was handed on a silver platter from the Thailand govt - U know he's F'd up if the Ty Govt doesn't like his poop) but the USA let's Mr. Karr free ... and the FBI say, "We don't have resources to follow Mr. Karr" on a National TV show.

Don't you wish the US govt would follow the lead of the Church and make Penance too? Or are you happy with USA Senators forming "Stop Child Molestation on the Internet"... electing themselves to head this appropriation only to solicit and "Groom" their subjects (a 14 year old boy)?

Or are you happy with the turnover in the jail system (child molester & pedifiles) ... and the govt saying, "Here's a list of the boogy men ... past this we relinquish responsabilites so you get to live in fear" ... "We can only arrest if they're caught with evidence ... so, bait your kids ... use entrapment "

Who should we put hope in ... Church or Govt?
I put mine in the Church since it is reconcilliating for it's sins with a contrite heart and wallet to back it up

Answer 2

Kind of vague about the facts, aren't you? Are you talking about the Los Angeles settlement or something else? If you are, remember, this is was a civil case against the archdiocese. The criminal prosecutions of the actual offenders is a different case with a different burden of proof. Any indicted defendants have been removed from ministry and don't have "access" to children. If and when they are found guilty, they will be punished. Meanwhile, the CIVIL suit has been settled. The plaintiffs are satisfied. $600 Million is not a "slap on the wrist". And church membership is VERY angry that the whole thing was allowed to develop in the first place. The archdiocese is being very careful not to saddle parishes with the debt for the archdiocese's negligence.

Pitchforks and firebrands may be very satisfying, but they don't bring about justice. Civil, constitutional courts made the decisions. The church didn't get any favorable treatment. And you can bet that their vigilance over their own clergy, staff and volunteers has increased tremendously. They never want this problem to happen again.

Answer 3

>>>With a slap on the wrist.<<<

You think having to pay 600 million bucks is a "slap on the wrist"??? You must have money to burn, then!

>>>And the worst part of it all is, all the perpatrators have escaped justice and still have access to children.<<<

Huh? They've all been defrocked. Some are dead. Many are in jail. Hey, you're entitled to your own opinions -- but not your own facts!

>>>What sheep the church members are to allow this travesty of justice. Time for the attorney general to DEMAND that they be handed over. <<<

If someone escapes criminal prosecution, then you should blame the authorities who didn't arrest them.

But as I said, these priests have already been defrocked, some are dead, and many are in jail.

So, no offense, but I don't know what you want -- except maybe just an excuse to do some good old-fashioned Catholic-bashing.

.

Answer 4

First of all they are all "alleged" victims.

Also, most were not children...as in pre-pubescent but teens. I'm not saying this makes it okay, just pointing out the facts. The word children conjures up a different type of monster.

The problem isn't pedophile priests as the media likes to say, but homosexual priests. They largest number of victims were young, post pubescent males. This act is called pederasty.

Many of these cases are very old. Again, this doesn't justify it but you have to realize that at the time sexual issues were handled differently by the entire nation. I grew up in the 60s and 70s. I remember that women who were raped were often interrogated on the witness stand. Instead of being treated with compassion, their sex lives, outfits, past boyfriends etc. were all called into question. Their reputations were questioned etc. so many women would not come forward. Our justice system would not protect them. This gave rapists protection.

The same is true of other sexual abuse. There was no help, no resources, no education on what to do or how to handle it. I was sexually molested often by boys in my school...they'd grab us girls and grope us in the hallways. No one did anything. There was no help for us in the school system.

My point is sex and sexual abuse was viewed differently years and years ago. The entire country has learned over time what we shouldn't have done. This includes how the church handled priests suspected of child and youth sex abuse.

Additionally, the Catholic Church has been hit very hard in the media, when in actuality it has less of a problem with sex abuse then the Protestant churches. The difference is that the Catholic Church is so large and one denomination, that it can be sued. The Protestant churches are so small and divided that each sexual abuse case is handled locally and never makes the news.

The largest sex abuse problem is with in the education system...teachers.

So, people need to stop focusing on the Catholic Church as if it's evil and start focusing on the problem of sex abuse as a whole. It can happen anywhere...at school, sports, church, neighborhood...or in the home. Protecting our children and our young, pre-adults should be our ultimate goal instead of trying to bash the Catholic church.

No matter what some of her members have done, it will never change that she is the true Church started by Christ himself. Actually, all this persecution only shows that Satan hates her more then anything...which proves that she is his greatest threat.

Answer 5

Not sure if you are talking about the same thing that I read.

Six have already gone to jail, some have just passed away, (this abuse does go back to the 1950's)

And transparency as far as finding out of any other church officials covered it up.

You may not know this, but the Church IS handing them over, it is also doing a complete education program for anyone who works with youth, not just Priests to help recognize abuse and what do do if anyone suspects it. That fact is just left out.

I have no problem as a Catholic with the payments, we must lead by example, and accept when we make mistakes. The Church has done that.

Peace be with you!

Answer 6

There are very few priests that are actually guilty of the charges against them and the ones that are not guilty are not allowed to defend themselves in court which is the real travesty. There are a lot of lay Catholics angry about this fact as are the clergy. The Church has chosen not to defend itself against the false charges and makes it appear that many are guilty when they are in fact innocent. Actually there are probably only a few who have accused priests of crimes who actually were victims.

If I waas a Protestant I would not be so gleeful in seeing what has happened as a result of these accusations as the incidence of the same crimes by Protestant clergy is much larger.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 7

So hand over all the Catholic ones, but keep hiding all the protestant ones behind the pulpits? The smoke is there and the fire isn't far behind.

Answer 8

what? I thought they had to serve time in addition to the big payoff. I can't believe society would be so stupid as to let them get away with the numerous crimes without non-monetary punishment. Which come to think of it, the moneytary punishment only punishes society because it comes off daily tites and private contributions

Answer 9

You think the parishioners are just sitting back and letting the leadership off the hook now that this is out in the open? We ain't ALL blind, you know.

Answer 10

Lol, and you're surprised about this? Didn't you know that the catholic church is exempt from their own rules?

"Do as I say, not as I do"

How godly.