There is no obligation to A) rescue a person whom a crime is being committed against, or B) notify the authorities upon witnessing or hearing of a crime that has been committed.
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.
Thread
Posts in chronological order
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME]There is no obligation to A) rescue a person whom a crime is being committed against, or B) notify the authorities upon witnessing or hearing of a crime that has been committed.
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME]There is no obligation to A) rescue a person whom a crime is being committed against, or B) notify the authorities upon witnessing or hearing of a crime that has been committed.
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with you so far as "sexually abusing children is a crime" and "anyone who does it should be punished." This is a terrible predatory crime that is wholly inexcusable. They should be punished terribly, but they should only be punished by the law, which exists to A) protect our rights (those of the children), and B) dispense justice (to punish the criminal priests).
It would be morally correct to report a child molester to the authorities, but it would be morally repugnant to mandate it by law, as a clear violation of our negative liberties.
There are also many psychological factors that go into reporting someone to the authorities. To knowingly place someone you know and care for into a situation where they will be punished is very hard to do, no matter what they have done.
All in all, I would never dare to criticize someone for not reporting a crime. However, if they were to actively engage in covering it up, then they definitely deserve whatever criticism (and punishment) they receive.
Remember, the perpetrators in this situation are the priests and only the priests. Those who cover up the evidence, while a secondary crime in nature to the priests', are also worthy of blame. However, to censure the entire organization for lack of punishment is wrong, especially when forgiveness and non-punishment is a strongly-held tenet of this organization. If you should censure anyone, you should the judicial authorities that do not more strongly enforce the law, as it is their, and ONLY THEIR, responsibility. Or criticize the law for being less harsh. Ultimately, punishment is under the complete authority of the law.
Do not get me wrong, your disgust in the situation is not a bad thing, and any morally correct person would feel this way. But there are just some technicalities that I cannot agree with.
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with you so far as "sexually abusing children is a crime" and "anyone who does it should be punished." This is a terrible predatory crime that is wholly inexcusable. They should be punished terribly, but they should only be punished by the law, which exists to A) protect our rights (those of the children), and B) dispense justice (to punish the criminal priests).
It would be morally correct to report a child molester to the authorities, but it would be morally repugnant to mandate it by law, as a clear violation of our negative liberties.
There are also many psychological factors that go into reporting someone to the authorities. To knowingly place someone you know and care for into a situation where they will be punished is very hard to do, no matter what they have done.
All in all, I would never dare to criticize someone for not reporting a crime. However, if they were to actively engage in covering it up, then they definitely deserve whatever criticism (and punishment) they receive.
Remember, the perpetrators in this situation are the priests and only the priests. Those who cover up the evidence, while a secondary crime in nature to the priests', are also worthy of blame. However, to censure the entire organization for lack of punishment is wrong, especially when forgiveness and non-punishment is a strongly-held tenet of this organization. If you should censure anyone, you should the judicial authorities that do not more strongly enforce the law, as it is their, and ONLY THEIR, responsibility. Or criticize the law for being less harsh. Ultimately, punishment is under the complete authority of the law.
Do not get me wrong, your disgust in the situation is not a bad thing, and any morally correct person would feel this way. But there are just some technicalities that I cannot agree with.
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; Give a man religion and he'll starve himself to death praying for a fish
Not reporting a serious crime is as bad as covering it up. How many more children will that sick priest abuse in Mexico?
The bishops and cardinals that cover up these crimes by their silence are not holy men. They work for the pope -- not for god ... if there is a god.
The bishops and cardinals that cover up these crimes by their silence are not holy men. They work for the pope -- not for god ... if there is a god.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME]There is no obligation to A) rescue a person whom a crime is being committed against, or B) notify the authorities upon witnessing or hearing of a crime that has been committed.
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with you so far as "sexually abusing children is a crime" and "anyone who does it should be punished." This is a terrible predatory crime that is wholly inexcusable. They should be punished terribly, but they should only be punished by the law, which exists to A) protect our rights (those of the children), and B) dispense justice (to punish the criminal priests).
It would be morally correct to report a child molester to the authorities, but it would be morally repugnant to mandate it by law, as a clear violation of our negative liberties.
There are also many psychological factors that go into reporting someone to the authorities. To knowingly place someone you know and care for into a situation where they will be punished is very hard to do, no matter what they have done.
All in all, I would never dare to criticize someone for not reporting a crime. However, if they were to actively engage in covering it up, then they definitely deserve whatever criticism (and punishment) they receive.
Remember, the perpetrators in this situation are the priests and only the priests. Those who cover up the evidence, while a secondary crime in nature to the priests', are also worthy of blame. However, to censure the entire organization for lack of punishment is wrong, especially when forgiveness and non-punishment is a strongly-held tenet of this organization. If you should censure anyone, you should the judicial authorities that do not more strongly enforce the law, as it is their, and ONLY THEIR, responsibility. Or criticize the law for being less harsh. Ultimately, punishment is under the complete authority of the law.
Do not get me wrong, your disgust in the situation is not a bad thing, and any morally correct person would feel this way. But there are just some technicalities that I cannot agree with.[/QUOTE]
You are missing the point here, MusicMan. The Bishop also committed a crime. There are 4 sectors of society in the US who are required to report even suspicions of child abuse (sexual or otherwise) to the authorities the MINUTE the suspicions arise. These sectors are:
1) Educators (teachers, school counselors and administrators)
2) Medical Personelle (doctors, nurses, lab techs, paramedics, etc.)
3) Clergy (priests, nuns, monks, bisops, pastors, etc.)
4) Police and law enforcement (police, judges, lawyers, etc)
This law exists to try and remove the child from harm's way as soon as possible. For example, my mom is a nurse, and if she sees a child come into the ER with injur
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with you so far as "sexually abusing children is a crime" and "anyone who does it should be punished." This is a terrible predatory crime that is wholly inexcusable. They should be punished terribly, but they should only be punished by the law, which exists to A) protect our rights (those of the children), and B) dispense justice (to punish the criminal priests).
It would be morally correct to report a child molester to the authorities, but it would be morally repugnant to mandate it by law, as a clear violation of our negative liberties.
There are also many psychological factors that go into reporting someone to the authorities. To knowingly place someone you know and care for into a situation where they will be punished is very hard to do, no matter what they have done.
All in all, I would never dare to criticize someone for not reporting a crime. However, if they were to actively engage in covering it up, then they definitely deserve whatever criticism (and punishment) they receive.
Remember, the perpetrators in this situation are the priests and only the priests. Those who cover up the evidence, while a secondary crime in nature to the priests', are also worthy of blame. However, to censure the entire organization for lack of punishment is wrong, especially when forgiveness and non-punishment is a strongly-held tenet of this organization. If you should censure anyone, you should the judicial authorities that do not more strongly enforce the law, as it is their, and ONLY THEIR, responsibility. Or criticize the law for being less harsh. Ultimately, punishment is under the complete authority of the law.
Do not get me wrong, your disgust in the situation is not a bad thing, and any morally correct person would feel this way. But there are just some technicalities that I cannot agree with.[/QUOTE]
You are missing the point here, MusicMan. The Bishop also committed a crime. There are 4 sectors of society in the US who are required to report even suspicions of child abuse (sexual or otherwise) to the authorities the MINUTE the suspicions arise. These sectors are:
1) Educators (teachers, school counselors and administrators)
2) Medical Personelle (doctors, nurses, lab techs, paramedics, etc.)
3) Clergy (priests, nuns, monks, bisops, pastors, etc.)
4) Police and law enforcement (police, judges, lawyers, etc)
This law exists to try and remove the child from harm's way as soon as possible. For example, my mom is a nurse, and if she sees a child come into the ER with injur
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME]There is no obligation to A) rescue a person whom a crime is being committed against, or B) notify the authorities upon witnessing or hearing of a crime that has been committed.
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with you so far as "sexually abusing children is a crime" and "anyone who does it should be punished." This is a terrible predatory crime that is wholly inexcusable. They should be punished terribly, but they should only be punished by the law, which exists to A) protect our rights (those of the children), and B) dispense justice (to punish the criminal priests).
It would be morally correct to report a child molester to the authorities, but it would be morally repugnant to mandate it by law, as a clear violation of our negative liberties.
There are also many psychological factors that go into reporting someone to the authorities. To knowingly place someone you know and care for into a situation where they will be punished is very hard to do, no matter what they have done.
All in all, I would never dare to criticize someone for not reporting a crime. However, if they were to actively engage in covering it up, then they definitely deserve whatever criticism (and punishment) they receive.
Remember, the perpetrators in this situation are the priests and only the priests. Those who cover up the evidence, while a secondary crime in nature to the priests', are also worthy of blame. However, to censure the entire organization for lack of punishment is wrong, especially when forgiveness and non-punishment is a strongly-held tenet of this organization. If you should censure anyone, you should the judicial authorities that do not more strongly enforce the law, as it is their, and ONLY THEIR, responsibility. Or criticize the law for being less harsh. Ultimately, punishment is under the complete authority of the law.
Do not get me wrong, your disgust in the situation is not a bad thing, and any morally correct person would feel this way. But there are just some technicalities that I cannot agree with.[/QUOTE]
You are missing the point here, MusicMan. The Bishop also committed a crime. There are 4 sectors of society in the US who are required to report even suspicions of child abuse (sexual or otherwise) to the authorities the MINUTE the suspicions arise. These sectors are:
1) Educators (teachers, school counselors and administrators)
2) Medical Personelle (doctors, nurses, lab techs, paramedics, etc.)
3) Clergy (priests, nuns, monks, bisops, pastors, etc.)
4) Police and law enforcement (police, judges, lawyers, etc)
This law exists to try and remove the child from harm's way as soon as possible. For example, my mom is a nurse
There is absolutely nothing disgusting about the actions of the bishop, only that of the priest. To think otherwise is ignorant.
As to the intitial content of this thread, there is nothing unusual about the Catholic Church forgiving someone who has committed a wrong. They are not playing "favorites" with their clergy. To forgive is a much more mature thing to do than to blindly dispense one's own view of justice. It's the local authorities job to deal with "crime and punishment," not the Catholic Church's.[/QUOTE]
For once, I completely disagree with you. Sexually abusing children is a crime, and anyone who does it should be punished. There is no gray area. If a friend of yours was raping children, I'd like to think you'd report them to the police. If priests are horny because their job requires them to be celibate, then they should quit and enter any other profession which doesn't disallow them to have sex with anyone within legal limits.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with you so far as "sexually abusing children is a crime" and "anyone who does it should be punished." This is a terrible predatory crime that is wholly inexcusable. They should be punished terribly, but they should only be punished by the law, which exists to A) protect our rights (those of the children), and B) dispense justice (to punish the criminal priests).
It would be morally correct to report a child molester to the authorities, but it would be morally repugnant to mandate it by law, as a clear violation of our negative liberties.
There are also many psychological factors that go into reporting someone to the authorities. To knowingly place someone you know and care for into a situation where they will be punished is very hard to do, no matter what they have done.
All in all, I would never dare to criticize someone for not reporting a crime. However, if they were to actively engage in covering it up, then they definitely deserve whatever criticism (and punishment) they receive.
Remember, the perpetrators in this situation are the priests and only the priests. Those who cover up the evidence, while a secondary crime in nature to the priests', are also worthy of blame. However, to censure the entire organization for lack of punishment is wrong, especially when forgiveness and non-punishment is a strongly-held tenet of this organization. If you should censure anyone, you should the judicial authorities that do not more strongly enforce the law, as it is their, and ONLY THEIR, responsibility. Or criticize the law for being less harsh. Ultimately, punishment is under the complete authority of the law.
Do not get me wrong, your disgust in the situation is not a bad thing, and any morally correct person would feel this way. But there are just some technicalities that I cannot agree with.[/QUOTE]
You are missing the point here, MusicMan. The Bishop also committed a crime. There are 4 sectors of society in the US who are required to report even suspicions of child abuse (sexual or otherwise) to the authorities the MINUTE the suspicions arise. These sectors are:
1) Educators (teachers, school counselors and administrators)
2) Medical Personelle (doctors, nurses, lab techs, paramedics, etc.)
3) Clergy (priests, nuns, monks, bisops, pastors, etc.)
4) Police and law enforcement (police, judges, lawyers, etc)
This law exists to try and remove the child from harm's way as soon as possible. For example, my mom is a nurse
I can confirm that what CMUHistorygirl says is correct. I would too lose my license to practice social work if I fail to report suspicions of child abuse, dependency, or neglect. It is not my job to investigate and prove whether or not it is actually occurring, infact I am forbidden to do so, but I am obligated by law to report to Child Protective Services if I have the slightest concern.
Thanks for the confirmation, Lisser. I was hoping someone else would know about that law, so I couldn't be accused to making it up (since I don't actually know the name of the law).
I wasn't trying to be a witch to anyone, just educating others to the fact that both the priest and bishop broke the law.
I wasn't trying to be a witch to anyone, just educating others to the fact that both the priest and bishop broke the law.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME] Thanks for the confirmation, Lisser. I was hoping someone else would know about that law, so I couldn't be accused to making it up (since I don't actually know the name of the law).
I wasn't trying to be a witch to anyone, just educating others to the fact that both the priest and bishop broke the law.
[/QUOTE]
No problem CMU....
I don't know the statute either and I'm sure its called something different in each state. I also seem to remember a court case somewhere in the USA where a victim's family filed lawsuits against people that stood by and watched their loved one get raped or beaten, something violent, yet did nothing to prevent it or phone the authorities to stop the crime. It wasn't a child and I know the family won monetary damages from the bystanders who did nothing to save their loved one. I wish I could remember what the name of that case was. It was a milestone victory though for victim's rights.
I wasn't trying to be a witch to anyone, just educating others to the fact that both the priest and bishop broke the law.
[/QUOTE]
No problem CMU....
I don't know the statute either and I'm sure its called something different in each state. I also seem to remember a court case somewhere in the USA where a victim's family filed lawsuits against people that stood by and watched their loved one get raped or beaten, something violent, yet did nothing to prevent it or phone the authorities to stop the crime. It wasn't a child and I know the family won monetary damages from the bystanders who did nothing to save their loved one. I wish I could remember what the name of that case was. It was a milestone victory though for victim's rights.
I think I heard about that case too....don't remember where it was though. The law involving this bishop only covers minors, not adults. Unfortunately no law exists to do the same thing when adult abuse is suspected.
You might do a Google search for Victim's Advocacy groups....I'm sure they'll have a list. Or, if it went to the Supreme Court, check them. If I remember right, on the website they have a search engine where you can search all of the court cases they've ruled on that deal with whatever terms you want to search for.
You might do a Google search for Victim's Advocacy groups....I'm sure they'll have a list. Or, if it went to the Supreme Court, check them. If I remember right, on the website they have a search engine where you can search all of the court cases they've ruled on that deal with whatever terms you want to search for.
I think what they should really do is revise the vatican law about priests not marrying. While this is a conjecture, in protestant churches, the pastors are allowed to marry and I (personally) havent heard a case from one. I do admit that I could be radically misinformed there but I think it was in Sound Of Music where it was said "Love between a man and woman is holy too"
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Artist Formerly Known As Paul JR wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I think what they should really do is revise the vatican law about priests not marrying. While this is a conjecture, in protestant churches, the pastors are allowed to marry and I (personally) havent heard a case from one. I do admit that I could be radically misinformed there but I think it was in Sound Of Music where it was said "Love between a man and woman is holy too"[/QUOTE]
That was actually discussed earlier in the thread. I totally agree with you here. It's just another way the Catholic Church treats women as second class citizens.
That was actually discussed earlier in the thread. I totally agree with you here. It's just another way the Catholic Church treats women as second class citizens.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Artist Formerly Known As Paul JR wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I think what they should really do is revise the vatican law about priests not marrying. While this is a conjecture, in protestant churches, the pastors are allowed to marry and I (personally) havent heard a case from one. I do admit that I could be radically misinformed there but I think it was in Sound Of Music where it was said "Love between a man and woman is holy too"[/QUOTE]
That was actually discussed earlier in the thread. I totally agree with you here. It's just another way the Catholic Church treats women as second class citizens. [/QUOTE]
But its not fair to judge every priest by the actions of few; Ive been to several churches and the priests I know are decent people and they drink beer and watch football like every other guy in the church.
Dont get me wrong, I in no way condone child molesters, I think they should be shot; but we shouldnt let this develop into a stereotype because then we're just as bad as saying black people steal electronics or Queen fans are queers
That was actually discussed earlier in the thread. I totally agree with you here. It's just another way the Catholic Church treats women as second class citizens. [/QUOTE]
But its not fair to judge every priest by the actions of few; Ive been to several churches and the priests I know are decent people and they drink beer and watch football like every other guy in the church.
Dont get me wrong, I in no way condone child molesters, I think they should be shot; but we shouldnt let this develop into a stereotype because then we're just as bad as saying black people steal electronics or Queen fans are queers
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Artist Formerly Known As Paul JR wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Artist Formerly Known As Paul JR wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I think what they should really do is revise the vatican law about priests not marrying. While this is a conjecture, in protestant churches, the pastors are allowed to marry and I (personally) havent heard a case from one. I do admit that I could be radically misinformed there but I think it was in Sound Of Music where it was said "Love between a man and woman is holy too"[/QUOTE]
That was actually discussed earlier in the thread. I totally agree with you here. It's just another way the Catholic Church treats women as second class citizens. [/QUOTE]
But its not fair to judge every priest by the actions of few; Ive been to several churches and the priests I know are decent people and they drink beer and watch football like every other guy in the church.
Dont get me wrong, I in no way condone child molesters, I think they should be shot; but we shouldnt let this develop into a stereotype because then we're just as bad as saying black people steal electronics or Queen fans are queers[/QUOTE]
Excellent Observation. I think it's understood that we are all talking about the pedophile priests, but you make an excellent point.
That was actually discussed earlier in the thread. I totally agree with you here. It's just another way the Catholic Church treats women as second class citizens. [/QUOTE]
But its not fair to judge every priest by the actions of few; Ive been to several churches and the priests I know are decent people and they drink beer and watch football like every other guy in the church.
Dont get me wrong, I in no way condone child molesters, I think they should be shot; but we shouldnt let this develop into a stereotype because then we're just as bad as saying black people steal electronics or Queen fans are queers[/QUOTE]
Excellent Observation. I think it's understood that we are all talking about the pedophile priests, but you make an excellent point.