Thanksgiving, holidays

[dezguy]

Nothing provided a Priest didn't take a liking to you.

Wow, way to paint a large section of the public with a broad stroke.

 

[Oldfart]

Wow, way to paint a large section of the public with a broad stroke.

Was raised Catholic. Hundreds of unreported by the church and unpunished proven cases of abuse made it easy for me to go another direction. Everyone from Bishops to the Pope had evidence of what was going on and did nothing. Nothing new here, you just decided to hide your head in the sand.

 

[vantexan]

Was raised Catholic. Hundreds of unreported by the church and unpunished proven cases of abuse made it easy for me to go another direction. Everyone from Bishops to the Pope had evidence of what was going on and did nothing. Nothing new here, you just decided to hide your head in the sand.

They had a diocese in northern New Mexico where they sent a lot of pedophile priests to "reform" them. I guess they figured it was remote enough. Ended up with a huge number of molestations there.

 

[Oldfart]

They had a diocese in northern New Mexico where they sent a lot of pedophile priests to "reform" them. I guess they figured it was remote enough. Ended up with a huge number of molestations there.

That was their way. Ship them off and cover up. When lawsuits were filed, Diocese filed bankruptcy and the victims got nothing.

 

[35years]

• Most child abuse takes place within the home.
• All religious groups have pedophile scandals, and the Catholics (while the largest religious group) are at the bottom of the list statistically.
• Child abuse is prevalent in all areas of society: schools, youth organizations, sports, etc.
• Statistically, of all the professions, Christian clergy are least likely to offend. Doctors, Farmers and Teachers are the professions most likely to abuse children–not clergy.
• Among clergy offenders Catholic priests are least likely to offend.
• Catholic cases of pedophilia make more headlines because of anti Catholic prejudice and because the Catholic Church is bigger and more lucrative to sue.
• Any abuse of minors is abhorrent. But to reject the Catholic Church because of the sins of 4% of the clergy is like rejecting Christ because of Judas.

 

[vantexan]

• Most child abuse takes place within the home.
• All religious groups have pedophile scandals, and the Catholics (while the largest religious group) are at the bottom of the list statistically.
• Child abuse is prevalent in all areas of society: schools, youth organizations, sports, etc.
• Statistically, of all the professions, Christian clergy are least likely to offend. Doctors, Farmers and Teachers are the professions most likely to abuse children–not clergy.
• Among clergy offenders Catholic priests are least likely to offend.
• Catholic cases of pedophilia make more headlines because of anti Catholic prejudice and because the Catholic Church is bigger and more lucrative to sue.
• Any abuse of minors is abhorrent. But to reject the Catholic Church because of the sins of 4% of the clergy is like rejecting Christ because of Judas.

I'm not trying to slam the Catholic Church, but they had a huge, worldwide problem with pedophile priests. I haven't seen anything close to this scandal in any other Christian denomination or any other religion. Just guessing but requiring priests to be celibate and having them work with kids greatly increases the likelihood of abuse.

 

[35years]

I'm not trying to slam the Catholic Church, but they had a huge, worldwide problem with pedophile priests. I haven't seen anything close to this scandal in any other Christian denomination or any other religion. Just guessing but requiring priests to be celibate and having them work with kids greatly increases the likelihood of abuse.

Protestant clergy have been found more likely than Catholic clergy to engage in sexual misconduct.
Pedophilia among Catholic clergy is less prevalent than other Christian denominations.

Priestly celibacy is not the issue – married men are more likely to abuse children than unmarried.

Other professions that deal with children (doctors, teachers etc) abuse at a higher rate than Catholic priests.

The Catholic Church is worldwide, and much larger than any other Christian denomination, so you hear about it more in the media.

Believe me, I am no apologist for abusers, a member of my own family was abused. One victim is too many. But the myths about celibacy and prevalence of abusers does nothing to address the real problem.

 

[Brown echo]

 

[Brown echo]

...is IVE!!!

 

[vantexan]

Protestant clergy have been found more likely than Catholic clergy to engage in sexual misconduct.
Pedophilia among Catholic clergy is less prevalent than other Christian denominations.

Priestly celibacy is not the issue – married men are more likely to abuse children than unmarried.

Other professions that deal with children (doctors, teachers etc) abuse at a higher rate than Catholic priests.

The Catholic Church is worldwide and much larger than any other Christian denomination, so you hear about it more in the media.

Believe me, I am no apologist for abusers, a member of my own family was abused. One victim is too many. But the myths about celibacy and prevalence of abusers does nothing to address the real problem.

Besides the abuse itself the problem is that the Catholic Church went to great lengths to cover it up. Not something any Christian group should ever do.

I've see a lot more cases reported of marital infidelity amongst Protestant ministers than child abuse. And I just haven't seen references to greater prevalence amongst Protestants when these priests scandals broke. Sorry, just haven't seen it and I read newspapers religiously, no pun intended. The fact is that many in the media jump on any opportunity to slam Christianity so doubt they favor Protestants over Catholics. If you can cite studies I could look at I'd like to see them.

 

[vantexan]

Besides the abuse itself the problem is that the Catholic Church went to great lengths to cover it up. Not something any Christian group should ever do.

I've see a lot more cases reported of marital infidelity amongst Protestant ministers than child abuse. And I just haven't seen references to greater prevalence amongst Protestants when these priests scandals broke. Sorry, just haven't seen it and I read newspapers religiously, no pun intended. The fact is that many in the media jump on any opportunity to slam Christianity so doubt they favor Protestants over Catholics. If you can cite studies I could look at I'd like to see them.

I'll walk that back after doing some research. Apparently there is a serious problem out there. One article I saw says in Protestant churches about half of abusers are church volunteers, not church staff.
Per this thread if you are involved in a local church be thankful for the good people, clergy and otherwise, who are trying to help others make positive changes in their lives.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

But to reject the Catholic Church because of the sins of 4% of the clergy is like rejecting Christ because of Judas.

The same could be said for those who reject Planned Parenthood as "baby killers" even though abortions are less than 3% of the total services provided there.

 

[It will be fine]

• Most child abuse takes place within the home.
• All religious groups have pedophile scandals, and the Catholics (while the largest religious group) are at the bottom of the list statistically.
• Child abuse is prevalent in all areas of society: schools, youth organizations, sports, etc.
• Statistically, of all the professions, Christian clergy are least likely to offend. Doctors, Farmers and Teachers are the professions most likely to abuse children–not clergy.
• Among clergy offenders Catholic priests are least likely to offend.
• Catholic cases of pedophilia make more headlines because of anti Catholic prejudice and because the Catholic Church is bigger and more lucrative to sue.
• Any abuse of minors is abhorrent. But to reject the Catholic Church because of the sins of 4% of the clergy is like rejecting Christ because of Judas.

None of these stats address the fact that the church knew of abuse and protected the abusers over children. They moved priests around so they could continue abuse. They paid victims to keep quiet. As an organization they failed at protecting the most vulnerable members of their community. Spin it however you want and say it happens everywhere, that doesn't excuse the church's behavior.

 

[Oldfart]

SPOT ON!!!!

 

[bacha29]

None of these stats address the fact that the church knew of abuse and protected the abusers over children. They moved priests around so they could continue abuse. They paid victims to keep quiet. As an organization they failed at protecting the most vulnerable members of their community. Spin it however you want and say it happens everywhere, that doesn't excuse the church's behavior.

There's an easy and admirable alternative to all this Let priest's be everyone else. To fall in love get married, buy an old house and fix it up and have a couple of kids. Is that asking for too much.? Seems a lot more Christian like that butt humping some little kid.

 

[dezguy]

Was raised Catholic. Hundreds of unreported by the church and unpunished proven cases of abuse made it easy for me to go another direction. Everyone from Bishops to the Pope had evidence of what was going on and did nothing. Nothing new here, you just decided to hide your head in the sand.

Who said I'm hiding my head in the sand?? As a matter of fact, I'm glad these cases came to light and the church came under scrutiny.

Fact of the matter is, there are far more good people doing good in the world than there are paedophiles in the Catholic Church.

You stated that there is nothing wrong with being Catholic, so long as a priest didn't take a liking to you.

I'm Catholic, my wife is Catholic, our kids are Catholic and none of us have ever been touched by a priest, as you allude all Catholics to have been.

If you decided to turn your back on your religion, that's your prerogative but I don't think it is fair to lump the entire church into the same pile. The church and the See have their downfalls and I'll never downplay the seriousness of what has happened and may still be happening but I still choose to believe the vast majority serving are doing so out of love rather than malice.

 

[bacha29]

Who said I'm hiding my head in the sand?? As a matter of fact, I'm glad these cases came to light and the church came under scrutiny.

Fact of the matter is, there are far more good people doing good in the world than there are paedophiles in the Catholic Church.

You stated that there is nothing wrong with being Catholic, so long as a priest didn't take a liking to you.

I'm Catholic, my wife is Catholic, our kids are Catholic and none of us have ever been touched by a priest, as you allude all Catholics to have been.

If you decided to turn your back on your religion, that's your prerogative but I don't think it is fair to lump the entire church into the same pile. The church and the See have their downfalls and I'll never downplay the seriousness of what has happened and may still be happening but I still choose to believe the vast majority serving are doing so out of love rather than malice.

It's a Catholic Church problem that required a Catholic Church solution but after decades of cover ups and inaction law enforcement had no choice but to act. Interviews with church officials their response was always the same.......the church, the church , the church. Nothing else mattered to them. therefore what ever comes out of this good but much more likely bad the Catholic Church and it's officials have nobody to blame but themselves

 

[Brown echo]

 

[Brown echo]

 

[Brown echo]