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On The Law And PriestsAre Priests Above The Law?
Why is it that a Catholic can be excommunicated for divorcing and remarrying without the Church’s permission and a priest guilty of child abuse is only reassigned? Does this imply that the Church is aware of child abuse but somehow views it as human nature - at least for a priest? If the Vatican does not believe that priests should held accountable to the laws of the land, then their priests should be considered as diplomats with diplomatic immunity. If the Church doesn’t feel their priests should be punished by local laws and conventions at least they could be removed from that country. Let’s be clear, child abuse is not just a Catholic problem but they do appear to believe that their priests are special and deserve unique treatment. Perhaps it isn’t considered a sin - at least for a priest. My understanding of the situation is limited but the law must be enforced with equality and justice regardless of religious beliefs or religious position. The Church must lead the way and not have to be pushed toward acceptance of the law. Why isn’t the Church’s position more stringent than our laws? Is it because once a priest is ordained and accepted as a priest the Church feels that person is answerable only to the Church and then maybe to God? Yes, it is true not all priest agree with the official Church’s lax position on child abusing priest. It does appear that the higher the position held in the Church the more lax the thinking toward priest with this affliction or tendency. How can the Church, which is suppose to represent the highest morality, expect the average person to react to their unwillingness to forcefully address this problem and expel the priest proven guilty - not by hearsay but by evidence? Why should there be a time limit on someone who misuses their power and influence to entice, entrap children to satisfy their amoral actions? Once proven guilty that priest should be removed from any possible contact with children and he should suffer the same as any other individual proven to have performed the same act. If the Catholic Church is really interested in the souls of man, it must provide moral leadership. Perhaps like many huge organizations, the Church is more interested in its control, power, and membership numbers than in its stated mission of offering salvation to those of us in need. The Church must save itself before it can save the rest of us. The Church must decide if moral leadership is doing only the least possible or doing more than expected. How can the Church justify its attempt to hide and protect its priests known to have committed child abuse? What possible rational can be presented for denying law enforcement access to any records that would clear or convict a priest of this offense? The Church drags its feet, refusing to cooperate with law enforcement attempting to investigate an abuse report. If child molestation by a priest is not considered a problem by the Church, this should be publicly stated; if this is not the case then the problem should be openly enforced and not hidden from the public. If the Church considers this type of behavior acceptable at least parents should be told so they can take whatever steps they feel are necessary. If the Church’s position is based on a higher, Biblical law then it should be revealed; if its position is based on Church politics then that too should be revealed. Those who expect moral guidance from the Church may need to force the Church to practice what it preaches and apply that practice to laymen and clergy alike. If only the Pope can properly speak for the Catholic Church then he must present the Church’s position in no uncertain terms and demand internal enforcement. That position should be one of law and not changeable simply because God’s representative on Earth feels it is time to change the Church’s position. Some things must be greater than the person. Surely God must be unhappy with any religious organization or any person in authority that uses his or her beliefs, position, and power to intimidate, frighten, and control those answerable to them, especially the young. The Catholic Church is not the only religion guilty of this technique. This problem is centuries old. It is not new to religions nor new to humanity. A public stand must be taken not just by the Catholic Church but by all religions and all churches. Other churches have sects and off shoots that do similar things and the parent organizations do not condemn or attempt to correct the problem. Some use the Bible to justify polygamy even with twelve and thirteen year-old girls. Why is it that the Bible always seems to give men the right to do theses things but condemns women if they try to do the same things? The Catholic Church has spent millions trying to cover up and hide this problem not only with its priests but also with its staff. How many priests or staff members have been falsely accused by opportunistic people? How many have been punished on the word of someone betting that the Church would rather pay than reveal? How many have been tried and convicted without proper representation because the Church cared more about its image than its people. All of this is finally coming to light; if only the Church had done this years ago their coffers would be fuller, the staff happier, and the parishioners more confident. Author: Don Miller
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2002 Articles |
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