Convicted Catholic Archbishop sentenced

[W2L]

.
the guilty Priest is shipped off to another Parish as though that is the cure for his sin.

The worst part about that is the disregard for child welfare. The priest would just abuse some other child.

 

[Zoii]

The judge found Wilson's explanation unbelievable, and therefore found him guilty of a specific offence - sentencing takes into account whether a person expresses guilt and remorse for that specific offence.

Yess well his lack of expression of remorse is rather disconcerting to most I would have thought; and was certainly evident enough for the judge to make comment on it.

 

[PaulCyp1]

Glad to hear it. Any time a clergyman, Catholic or Protestant, commits such an ungodly, destructive act, they should be subject to the full authority of civil law.
Born again Catholic

 

[Thomas Schular]

Definitely should not remain a priest..

Once you are ordained a priest, you remain a priest forever. Being a "priest" refers to the ability to offer Mass, hear confessions, etc. It is not the same as being a chaplain or a pastor. Those are positions one holds as a priest.

 

[Paidiske]

Priests can be laicised, though.

 

[Thomas Schular]

.
It's not a question of training, it's a matter of a man being Ordained as a Priest of the Church knows what Sin is, he knows when sin is confessed and why.

A Priest committing such sins should turn himself in and leave the Church on his own, but no they don't and when they go to confession, the one hearing their confession does nothing to stop it, the guilty Priest is shipped off to another Parish as though that is the cure for his sin.

I agree, anyone that commits such a sin should leave ministry forever. Priests generally do not confess their sins to their superiors. In the same way, a priest's church staff would not confess to him. The person is confessing to God and the priest is there as a minster of Christ to offer/announce the forgiveness.

During the 1960s and 1970s, it was believed pedophilia could be cured by psychological treatment. We now know better.

 

[creslaw]

During the 1960s and 1970s, it was believed pedophilia could be cured by psychological treatment. We now know better.

You do know I hope that in this case the defendant was not accused of pedophilia but of not reporting something he was told as an assistant priest 47 years ago.

 

[Thomas Schular]

Priests can be laicised, though.

I though that had already been established in this topic (by the term "defrocking", which is used more by the media).

Many Christian traditions understand "ordination" as something you renew with a small fee with your congregational organization that enables you to become a "pastor." I am trying to clarify that priesthood is not a position (like pastor, chaplain, etc), it is a state in life, such as being married. There are current priests in nursing homes who can't feed themselves or speak. They became a priest at ordination, they then took the position of assistant pastor, chaplain, pastor, senior pastor, maybe held some special positions at various times, then retired, but celebrated Mass once in a while at a few places here and there, then went to a nursing home, stopped hearing confessions or celebrating Mass, but were still priests, then died, still priests.

 

[Paidiske]

Yes, I understand all of that (being a priest myself). But part of the OP's question is, should this man be laicised?

 

[creslaw]

Yess well his lack of expression of remorse is rather disconcerting to most I would have thought; and was certainly evident enough for the judge to make comment on it.

That would not occur when the defendant pleads not guilty and there is a good chance the case will go to an appeal on the grounds that the evidence the conviction was based on was unsafe.
Wilson's actions as Archbishop show he cared deeply about the welfare of victims of sexual abuse.

 

[Thomas Schular]

Yes, I understand all of that (being a priest myself). But part of the OP's question is, should this man be laicised?

You aren't a Catholic priest.

The question was should he remain a priest. So, the question requires additional information for those that aren't Catholic or whose denominations do not emulate the practices of the Catholic Church.

I am not even sure what the point of that particular question is among non-Catholics at this point.

 

[Thomas Schular]

You do know I hope that in this case the defendant was not accused of pedophilia but of not reporting something he was told as an assistant priest 47 years ago.

From what I understand, he would have been the youngest possible age and a brand new priest. I am not sure why he is being made out to be someone that systematically permitted the abuse of children as an Archbishop.

 

[Paidiske]

You aren't a Catholic priest.

The question was should he remain a priest. So, the question requires additional information for those that aren't Catholic or whose denominations do not emulate the practices of the Catholic Church.

I am not even sure what the point of that particular question is among non-Catholics at this point.

I never claimed to be a Catholic priest, but our orders basically function the same way.

I think non-Catholics are interested in this question because whether or not this priest is laicised will be seen as a litmus test of how seriously the church are taking the conviction. The world is watching to see whether the church has learned from its past errors.

 

[mark kennedy]

He has been convicted of crimes, is there any serious question that he should be derocked? I don't know how Rome decides such things but these priests were hurting kids, you have to stop and think about the victims here. Every human society had it's criminal eliment, even Rome. Are you somehow innocent when while not committing the crime you manage to cover it up? He is going to be held accountsble, that much is clear. Whether or not he continues to hold his office is a matter for Rome to decide. I have no idea what the process is but I don't like his chances.

 

[Zoii]

You do know I hope that in this case the defendant was not accused of pedophilia but of not reporting something he was told as an assistant priest 47 years ago.

You're correct. There is no accusation of paedophilia against the Archbishop. I believe that may not be the case for Cardinal Pell.

 

[Zoii]

I used the word emulate to be a polite as possible with respect to the Catholic Church. Certainly, I understand that a woman with a cardboard crown who awards the many cats in her home with titles to the duchies of England, and also the lowly Duke of Snuggleshire, to the Princess of Purr, might think she functions in the same way of as that other Queen whom is her equal.

The good Anglican priest here can speak for herself. But let me tell you that you are appalling in your disrespect and owe Paidiske an apology and if that's not forthcoming then at least you could have the integrity to back right off your insults and say no more. I cannot express how low you just sank.

Do you know how many medical professionals do not report illegal substance abuse found in the blood of newborns? Teachers who do not report obvious signs of physical or sexual abuse? I mean, right now, in developed nations? The public could not handle that information.

The issue I have is not that people care about specific issues, is that they get upset about very specific things and they stop caring about the wider problem. The US President wants to appoint a judge to reverse the decision to allow abortion in all US states. How can a Catholic be against that? Because that doesn't address why women got that desperate in the first place. It's a distraction.

You certainly have no idea of how to stay on track with the OP. Nor do you let objective facts get in the road of your reasoning.

 

[Paidiske]

Interesting comment on this from Fr. Frank Brennan, SJ.

https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=55991

 

[Zoii]

Interesting comment on this from Fr. Frank Brennan, SJ.

https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=55991

This is actually quite well balanced dont you think? It also provides a really good overview of the issues. It shows A/B Wilson as a man who made errors but has done a lot of God....but balances that by the damage he's done and especially these two issues :

1. For whatever reason, back in July 2012, Wilson refused to cooperate with the NSW police when they were investigating complaints against McAlinden
   
2. Wilson, regardless of his later behaviour as a bishop nationally committed to cleaning up the mess.

As my mother has said to me often; good and kind people can do very very bad things; and people known to be nasty and bad, can surprise us all with kindness and genuine generosity.

 

[Thomas Schular]

Interesting comment on this from Fr. Frank Brennan, SJ.

https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=55991

Were you not able to find a youtube video to use instead of actually making your objections to what I wrote?

 

[Paidiske]

Were you not able to find a youtube video to use instead of actually making your objections to what I wrote?

I didn't post this in direct response to what you wrote. It popped up on my FB feed and I thought it was relevant and worth sharing here.