Scandals in the Roman Catholic Church....

hopeee · Mar 22, 2002

I am very upset by all the sex-scandals that have been poping up on the News.... I am so embarrassed.....What I would like to know is why the Catholic Church paid people money to be quiet about the sexual molestation that they suffered from Priests. My God, why would the Church want to try to pay someone to be quiet instead of trying to find out the truth?.... Those Priests need to be in Prison! This disturbs me.... I would think that the Church would call the police, and let the police handle the "criminal charges". I just heard on 20/20 that a Priest molested a boy about 20 years ago or so... The boy told on the Priest and the Church paid the boy $125,000 to keep quiet about the incident.... Years later, the Priest that molested that child was hand picked by the Pope to become a Bishop in Florida..... How could the Pope even think of picking that Priest to become a Bishop? Why was that Priest still a priest in the first place, let alone become a Bishop...? I am having serious doubts about my Church.... I am Catholic, but I am having trouble processing all this sexual abuse that has been committed by Priests, and Bishops! Aren't they suppose to be Christ-Like, and a spiritual role models? It is hard to believe and have faith in your Church when they are committing evil, evil, sins...... This is the Church that is telling me not to use birth-control, but pays people money to be quiet about their sexual abuse caused by Priests..... I am very upset by all of this..... I am at a religious crisis right now...... I am thinking about leaving me Church..... Hope

ZooMom · Mar 22, 2002

Tell me what kind of people would take money to keep quiet about their child being abused?

The Church did not give anyone any money. Some priests MAY HAVE. Have the allegations been proven? Has the money been verified? Has the source of the money been verified? There are alot of questions that need to be answered before anyone starts this up again.

hope, do you really think that bringing this up again, when there is no new information or conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, is helping anyone?

I'm sorry you feel so bad. I'll pray for you.

PrinceJeff · Mar 22, 2002

Hope, may I lovingly tell you something? Faith should not be in any church or person, but only in God through Jesus Christ. I hope this does not make you question your faith in God. Men are of this earth and the devil manipulates people and can even set them up as angels of light and even himself is disguised as an angel of light. None of us know the salvation of those men, only them and God. You have to beware of who you trust. If me or any one of us can assist you, let us know alright?

Jeff

hopeee · Mar 22, 2002

All I can say is that I saw this alledged abuse by a Priest on 20/20 tonight with Barbara Walters.... Hasn't some Priests admitted recently to molesting children on the news? I am sorry if this "topic" was brought up before. I didn't see it on the thread, but I am fairly new.... It has been in the news a lot recently. If you don't want to talk about it I understand....

Prince Jeff, thank you for your kind words.... They did make me feel better. I know what you are saying is true.... I just am disgusted with all these sex-abuse scandals in the Church... Hope

Wildfire · Mar 22, 2002

Hi Hope; you are not the only one who is feeling betrayed, and let me assure you that leaving the Catholic church would not be a sin. Listen to what is in your heart first, let the holy ghost guide you in the right direction.

These "priests" are not bound by the law. They are above man, protected by the "church" to do what they please, to whomever they please. Why are they molesting children? BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN. The law does not apply to them. Did you know that if someone comes to them and confesses murder, or the desire to rape someone, the priests will protect them because they are not obligated to bring this information to the authorities?
Do you honestly believe that Jesus would approve of this type of corrupt religion? Look at how he overthrew the temple of worship, and angrily told the merchants they had made his fathers house a den of thieves. How strong do you think his wrath be upon this! Knowing that his children, who are innocent and believing of him, had been hurt by men who stood and spoke in his name?
I only pray that the priests and bishops who are decent and striving to do Gods work, will do what is right in the eyes of God, and in the eyes of it's followers, by giving an honest testimony to those who ask; whomever they may be. And remove themselves from that which is not holy.

Hope, my words to you are these; believe in the testimony of Jesus Christ. There is no other. Seek what is above and not here on earth, no matter how beautiful or perfect it may seem to you. There is none perfect but God, and he is the only one who should be in your sight, in your voice and in your heart.
I hope this eases your mind somewhat. Wildfire

Blackwing · Mar 22, 2002

I think this will be more appropriate to the current affairs thread.

AlphaPhi · Mar 22, 2002

Originally posted by Wildfire
Did you know that if someone comes to them and confesses murder, or the desire to rape someone, the priests will protect them because they are not obligated to bring this information to the authorities?

That is not true. Priests are covered under laws that cover other forms of counseling. Namely, they are not required to report crimes that have been committed that are confessed to them (in fact, they are barred from doing so under pastor-congregation member privelege, akin to doctor-patient privelege). However, they are required to inform the authorities if someone tells them they are going to commit a crime.

If you tell your priest that you did a crime, he cannot inform the police, even if he wanted to. However, if you tell them you WILL commit a crime, they are required to contact the authorities.

PrinceJeff · Mar 22, 2002

Interesting!

rollinTHUNDER · Mar 23, 2002

Hi hope,
I see how popular you are. But you have just started a thread that will ruin your popularity. I started one called, "Gat priests coming out of the closets". There are a lot of Catholics on these Forums, and they even have their own Forum here. Be careful in what you say, because they don't just stay in that forum, they also wander over into this one too. So, I just thought I would give you a heads up. Be nice - stay popular, but if not, your ratings may go down. As for me, I didn't come here to be popular. See ya around !!

PrinceJeff · Mar 23, 2002

Why should we yearn for the approval of men and women anyways? Isn't it God's approval we should seek?

Rjano21 · Mar 23, 2002

I'm sure my view will be unpopular amongst catholics as well, but I think most of these scandals go back to the issue of priest celibacy. Its pretty safe to say that married men are alot less likely to commit sex abuses than single "celibate" men. I'm inclined to agree with a news article I read the other day, which claimed that the celibacy requirement attracted more homosexuals and pedophiles (since those types of people could care less about marriage) than normal straight men. Sadly to say, its causing irrepairable damage both to the Roman Church and to those who are abused. Reassigning priests won't solve the problem, it just hides it for a while.

Yauming · Mar 23, 2002

Originally posted by ZooMom
Tell me what kind of people would take money to keep quiet about their child being abused? The Church did not give anyone any money. Some priests MAY HAVE. Have the allegations been proven? Has the money been verified? Has the source of the money been verified? There are alot of questions that need to be answered before anyone starts this up again.

Hello ZooMom,

Perhaps those people took the money because they didn't want their child to undergo the rigors of cross-examination in court and the full publicity- it is said that can be often more traumatic than the assault itself.

And I think you are wrong by saying that only the Priests paid the victims hush money. The Catholic Church itself paid the victims the money on the condition that they keep quiet about the whole sordid affair.

Anyhow please read this article from the NY Times. Maybe it will help you see why people just take the money and run.

BTW, I'm not saying that only the Roman Catholic church suffers from this problem but clearly there is a problem and I do pray that the Vatican and those in authority will do something to stop this from happening again. Implying that all those choir kids setup their priests and sending the offending priest to another unknowing parish does not help the situation.

Cheers,

YM

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/19/national/19PARI.html?pagewanted=1&todaysheadlines

This is one account by one of the victims.

"Catholic tradition around here is wound up so tight it's like a ball of string that traps you inside," said Calvin Mire, a local police sergeant who, as an altar boy at St. James, was abused by Father Gauthe (pronounced GO-thay) for six years, until he was 15. His two younger brothers were also victims.

Unlike many other families, the Mires did not accept quietly when the church offered a settlement. After his family sued, Calvin took the stand. He paid for doing so.

"I was condemned in my own community my brother's boss, who was a deacon at church, fired him and wouldn't talk to me and why?" Sergeant Mire said. "Because I talked about what that priest did to me. He intruded on my life, he hurt me psychologically, physically, and I'm supposed to shut up about it?"

edjones · Mar 23, 2002

I'm sure my view will be unpopular amongst catholics as well, but I think most of these scandals go back to the issue of priest celibacy. Its pretty safe to say that married men are alot less likely to commit sex abuses than single "celibate" men. I'm inclined to agree with a news article I read the other day, which claimed that the celibacy requirement attracted more homosexuals and pedophiles (since those types of people could care less about marriage) than normal straight men. Sadly to say, its causing irrepairable damage both to the Roman Church and to those who are abused. Reassigning priests won't solve the problem, it just hides it for a while.

hopeee · Mar 23, 2002

I am not worried about how popular I am here on this forum... I am just seeking the truth... I am going through a religious crisis right now..... I am having doubts about the power and control that my Catholic Church is using.... Especially when they pay people to be quiet.. This disturbs me! How can you transfer a Priest to another parish when you know that they will hurt more boys and girls? I am questioning my Church's authority on EVERYTHING now.... I don't agree with them on the Celibacy Issue required for Priests, I don't agree on the Church's Position about Birth Control, I do not think the Pope is Infallible... I believe that the Pope is a Man, and can make mistakes and commit sins just like anyone else..... Look at these Priests, and Bishops that abuse little kids.... This is the last time that I just except everything they tell me to do.... I will always question!!!!
Also, if I did decide to find a new Church to belong to.... Which one would closely match my beliefs.....? Hope

Wolseley · Mar 23, 2002

I see how popular you are. But you have just started a thread that will ruin your popularity. I started one called, "Gat priests coming out of the closets". There are a lot of Catholics on these Forums, and they even have their own Forum here. Be careful in what you say, because they don't just stay in that forum, they also wander over into this one too. So, I just thought I would give you a heads up. Be nice - stay popular, but if not, your ratings may go down. As for me, I didn't come here to be popular.

Thunder, the Catholics are just as disgusted about this mess as you are. The difference is, we're willing to sit down and look at it rationally, instead of seeing red lights and sirens and calling for hysterical off the cuff solutions that would only exacerbate the problems. The total number of priests involved in this mess amounts to less than 2% of the total in the United States, and less than 1/10th world-wide. Not exactly the "plague" the media is trying to hype it as.

I'm sure my view will be unpopular amongst catholics as well, but I think most of these scandals go back to the issue of priest celibacy. Its pretty safe to say that married men are alot less likely to commit sex abuses than single "celibate" men.

Balderdash. Neither Jimmy Swaggart nor Jim Bakker (just to name two of hundreds) were single or celibate. The issue here is sin, not celibacy.

Sadly to say, its causing irrepairable damage both to the Roman Church and to those who are abused.

The case of the victims is sad. The priests too. This is a situation that calls for much discernment, and for judgement tempered by the compassion of Christ. As for the Church, damage? Yes. Irreparable damage? Not likely. If the Roman Catholic Church can survive Arianism, Nero, Diocletian, the collapse of the Roman Empire, the barbarian invasions, the Eastern Schism, Albigensianism, the Reformation, humanism, the French Revolution, Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse-Tung, and the 2nd Vatican Council, it can survive this scandal as well. "The gates of hell", and all that sort of thing, you know.

Anyhow please read this article from the NY Times. Maybe it will help you see why people just take the money and run.

The New York Times is crippled by such a glaring anti-Catholic bias that anything they print is mangled, distorted, misrepresented, twisted, and just plain inaccuarate. I'm sorry, but it's true. (shrug)

Also, if I did decide to find a new Church to belong to.... Which one would closely match my beliefs.....?

Hope, I think you've probably already made your decision here, haven't you? If you need a church that will exactly match your beliefs, I'm sure you'll find one---you have more than 20,000 to choose from.

ZooMom · Mar 23, 2002

Nothing will ever 'help' me understand why any parent would take money over their child's pain. What did the money do? How did the money help?

It has already been said so many times, this is not a celibacy issue, it's a sin issue. Celibacy has nothing to do with it. If you were stranded on a desert island with 15 small children would you start molesting them eventually because there was no other adult available?

***picks up a basket of rocks and hands it over to the crowd***

I think you all remember the rule about whoever chucks the first one.

I'm done with this.

rollinTHUNDER · Mar 23, 2002

Hi hope,
I just want to commend you first of all, for spotting that something is definitely wrong. I don't want to bash all Catholics, but most of the ones I know are religious. I believe that we should follow Christ, not a religion and their rituals and traditions. I fail to see why the world even needs a Pope at all. What is his responsibility?? Is he supposed to be the King of the Church?? I really don't know, that's why I'm asking.

As for what church or organization you should join, I would join a group that preaches the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Make sure they follow the bible, and also take your bible with you, so you can make sure you are hearing the truth. When I started out as a new Christian, I joined a Baptist Church. But they are not perfect either. Now, I don't believe in labels at all. I am not a Baptist, or any other denomination. I am a follower of Christ, and a child of God, and I just like to call myself a Christian. I go to a denomination for worship, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I believe everything they believe and teach. For instance, most in my church believe in celebrating Christmas, I believe that it is pure pagan non-sense. If it was to be celebrated, then why didn't the disciples do it. If they put up a tree in my church, I will not go in it until they take that idol down. Not all these traditions are biblical, and that is one that I believe was started by the Catholics. Anyway, what I'm saying here, is find a place where you are comfortable, but also make sure it is the truth they are preaching, instead of man made rituals and traditions. I hope this helps you.

Wolseley · Mar 23, 2002

I go to a denomination for worship, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I believe everything they believe and teach. For instance, most in my church believe in celebrating Christmas, I believe that it is pure pagan non-sense. If it was to be celebrated, then why didn't the disciples do it. If they put up a tree in my church, I will not go in it until they take that idol down.

All that this means, Thunder, is that you have established yourself (or perhaps your own personal interpretation of the Scriptures) as your own personal final authority. You have become your own Pope.

And everyone who differs with your interpetation is not privy to the "truth"?

Yo, ZooMom----wait up; I'm done here too.

rollinTHUNDER · Mar 23, 2002

Originally posted by Wolseley

All that this means, Thunder, is that you have established yourself (or perhaps your own personal interpretation of the Scriptures) as your own personal final authority. You have become your own Pope.

And everyone who differs with your interpetation is not privy to the "truth"?

Yo, ZooMom----wait up; I'm done here too.

Hello Wolseley,
I have always thought that you Catholics held the Pope up, as your High Priest. I don't believe in, or need a Pope. And Jesus is my High Priest. But relax, you are not my enemy, nor am I seaking an argument here. You gotta go with what you know. Seek and you shall find, don't just follow something because your family grew up in it. Why not make sure it is true?? If being Catholic is your truth, then be Catholic. I have no problem with that.

Tyler · Mar 23, 2002

TRUST IN NO MAN...TRUST IN GOD ALONE!!
If anything in your church runs contrary to God's written word do not follow. Remember Jesus Christ is our leader, not any man or denomination.
God Bless
Tyler

Scandals in the Roman Catholic Church....

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