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Is the Pope guilty of covering up priest scandals?
Results so far:
| Yes | 73% | 146 votes | Total: 200 votes | |
| No | 27% | 54 votes |
Yes
by Wayne Leon Learmond
Created on: October 04, 2010
Without a shadow of doubt the Roman Catholic Church { and the Holy See in particular} knew and kept hidden over the years, the priest scandal. It is only now, ten years into the 21st century, that such horrors have come to light. This is in no small part to countless victims who have come forward to speak about their abuses as children, at the hands of Catholic nuns and priests.
The scandal took a new twist when, in 2001 a Vatican edict was written [which had been kept secret]. Within this edict, written by Pope Benedict, when he was a Cardinal, and written for the attention of Catholic Bishops all over the world, it was stated that the 'Catholic Church's 'interest' should be put ahead of child safety'.
It was put forward that instead of victims, the perpetrators and the witnesses reporting the incidents to the relevant authorities, all should be 'encouraged to keep silent'. The Vatican edict also threatened that if anyone was to speak up, then they would be excommunicated from the Church. Of course, for victims of such abuse, who where Roman Catholic, such a threat was enough to keep them quiet for years.
Over the years it has come about that the Church, knew and harboured paedophile priests - of course, this was in full knowledge of the Holy See, and the scandal was kept under wraps. Indeed, any priest who happened to be accused of such abuses to children were not struck off or arrested [as one would have expected] but where simply moved to another parish and church were they could carry on their abuses of vulnerable children.
It was even stated that funds where used to keep silent the victims. Cardinal Ratzinger - before he was elected as Pope - for 24 years was head of the very powerful 'Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith'. This was the department of the Catholic Church, whose responsibility was promoting Catholic teachings on 'morals' and 'matters of faith'. Cardinal Ratzinger, was a staunch Conservative, and was also known as 'The Enforcer' of Pope John Paul II.
However it has been noted that Cardinal Ratzinger, knew about such cases, even dating back to 1996. In that year he refused to reply to two letters in reference to a case of horrific abuse. In this particular case, Cardinal Ratzinger did not hold a trial - or even punish a priest from Wisconsin, USA - who had abused over 200 deaf boys.
In fact, Cardinal Ratzinger had been warned repeatedly by at least several bishops, about Father Lawrence Murphy - who happened to be a priest at the 'St John School for the Deaf', in St Francis, Wisconsin. The Vatican were true to form and decided not to do anything at all. This then gave free reign to Murphy, who was not punished at all for his actions toward the children. Indeed, Murphy died in 1998, still unpunished.
However, in 1996, Murphy did confess to his sins by writing personally to Cardinal Ratzinger, near the end of his life. Within his letter, he protested that he should not be sent for trial [seeing that he was already in poor health, and had already repented of his sins]. 'I simply want to live out the time that I have left in the dignity of my priesthood. I ask your kind assistance in this matter'. Within the files, there was no response whatsoever from Cardinal Ratzinger.
All the men abused as children tell the same story. That Father Murphy would call them to his bedroom at night, or visit them in their own dorms where he would perform a sexual act upon them. He would then go onto the next boy, or he would leave. Most times, he would say nothing at all before, during, or after the act. Also, in many cases, this priest would take confession from the boys, whilst molesting them at the same time.
There is no doubt that the Holy See, [The Pope} was complicit in keeping abuse cases of children within the Church, quiet. The Church has seen its numbers fall as 300 former Catholic school students came forward to speak about the abuse that happened to them.
The Pope knew full well, that such incidents were happening and chose to do nothing at all, merely moving the said priests to other parishes. The Pope, therefore, is guilty as charged, of the most extreme neglect of Catholic children within the 'care' of the Church. Such horrific cases of abuse bring into disrepute the Roman Catholic Church herself.
Indeed, as more and more people come forward, having being abused in the past by Catholic priests - the Church is in line to lose millions, financially in compensation payouts. Not only that, but the Church has already lost in reference to membership, which has hit an all-time low.
Learn more about this author, Wayne Leon Learmond.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
by Dr. G. A. Anderson
Created on: April 02, 2010 Last Updated: April 12, 2010
In defense of our Roman Catholic faith and its leaders: The only way to cast a vote on the question of whether or not Pope Benedict XVI is guilty of covering up the priest sexual abuse scandals in the Roman Catholic Church is to actually NOT cast one at all. This newest story, which involves Pope Benedict himself, has made shocking front page headlines all over the world. This headline story is so recent that we simply do not have all the facts necessary to determine the culpability of the Pope or of any of the other people involved.
Casting judgment upon the Pope is not fair or just, and certainly not Christian. Christianity is about not throwing stones. It is about discernment in every matter. There are those detractors and critics of Catholicism and every part of Catholicism who would take this opportunity to malign the Pope and in the process, inflict further harm and blame upon the whole Faith. It is by far, the most opportune time to try to destroy the Catholic Church. Satan makes use of any vulnerability he can find to damage this 2000-year-old Christian institution in hopes of wiping it out and turning yet more unsuspecting people into unbelievers. This makes Satan very happy. He has no qualms about using people to get at the hearts and minds of the faithful to try to destroy their morale and their beliefs.
Before anyone screams, "But what about all the victims of all those priests?" let's be clear. All of this is not to say there have not been atrocious and unspeakable crimes committed and sins perpetrated against children and others throughout history under the cloak of Christianity. In the frailty and weakness of humankind, it has been rampant. It has been, and still is, widespread among other Christian denominations, as well - a fact that gets conveniently overlooked by the critics of Catholicism. That does not make any of it less egregious. The sin of pedophilia is among the very worst kind of damage that can be inflicted upon our youth by clergy and lay people alike. Teachers, scout leaders, coaches, doctors, clergy, relatives, and anyone else in contact with children are people in positions of authority. But clergy, especially, are trusted and adored, revered and honored by faithful Christians who would not for a moment suspect their priests or ministers of ever abusing anyone in any way.
Regarding the latest news involving the Pope, taking stories that may or may not have any basis in fact and running with them, embellishing them, and trying to gain ground in their battle against Christianity, Catholicism in particular, is an act of irresponsibility and hurtful to those in question, as well as to those who are perpetrating rumors and distorting the truth. The facts are not in. At this point, people who are so quick to judge and make assumptions are, in fact, putting their own souls in jeopardy by trying to ruin the credibility and reputations of clergy who may have done nothing to deserve such dishonor.
During this most holy time of the Christian church year, we are, indeed, being tested. However, our Catholic churches are filled to brimming with the faithful who are coming out in great numbers in support of Pope Benedict and of the tenets of the Faith they have adhered to, perhaps for a lifetime. We offer up our heartfelt prayers for our Pope and our priests. There are more candidates and catechumens in our area this year than one can imagine, and people seeking truth and peace continue to flock to the doors of our churches. Example: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, under the leadership of Cardinal Justin Rigali, has had to hold multiple services to accommodate the candidates and catechumens from five different counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. When one attends these services, it is truly amazing to see every pew filled to capacity and "standing room only" during rites for the soon-to-be new Catholics entering into full communion with the Church this Easter. The lines of people going forward each year as they receive blessings and greet the Cardinal let us witness with our own eyes and understand the magnitude of the call to a deeper relationship with God through the beauty and longevity of Catholicism.
Satan, and the people he is influencing at this time, are not winning. We will not give the devil the satisfaction of casting our vote without knowing all the facts in the Pope's alleged cover-up of priest sex scandals. We will not let him and all the other evil spirits who are prowling about the world seeking the ruin of souls have their way with us. We must be alert for their tricks and treachery.
Learn more about this author, Dr. G. A. Anderson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
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