July 3, 2008 8:20 AM
Catholic church: pedophile priest had 'boy trouble'
The Catholic priest who was a serial pedophile sex abuser was described as having "boy trouble" by a church official and shuffled off to at least nine parishes during his 44-year-career.
Berny Morson reports:
Church correspondence and reports from the early 1960s through early 1980s made public Wednesday show that many in the Denver Archdiocese knew Harold Robert White was a pedophile.
"...the parish would be better off without Father White," wrote a cleric in Sterling, where White was transferred from Colorado Springs after abusing a child at a Catholic school.A Minnesota lawyer who represents some of the abuse victims released more than 150 pages of archdiocesan documents Wednesday. The lawyer, Jeff Anderson, obtained the material under the settlement with the church.
The incidents detailed in the documents occurred between 1961 and 1981. Letters between clerics and complaints from parents cite advances on boys and fondling -- the "unforgivable sin of the Bible," as the Springs letter put it.
Names, except for White's, were blacked out. But Archdiocesan letterhead and contextual clues make clear that church officials were concerned about White's sexual activities, but didn't tell authorities. The documents refer to other incidents that may not have been made public.
"There's a lot of damning information in those documents," said Tom Koldeway, 47, who was molested by White for more than eight years. "They knew he was a pedophile before I was born."
White was soon in trouble at his first church appointment, St. Catherine's in North Denver. At least several incidents occurred, including one described as "an approach ... by the priest to the boy for an indecent act." When the boy fled, White chased him, the document says.
A letter dated Dec. 13, 1961, shows church officials worried about "scandal" if one of the allegations became public. The letter does not mention the possible effect on the boy.
Several incidents led to White's transfer to Colorado Springs, followed by postings to Sterling, Loveland, Minturn and Aspen. He had trouble in each of those parishes.
July 2, 2008
8:40 AM
gr8fuldude writes:
The Roman Catholic church needs to go the way of Braniff Airlines. Now. This whole affair is beyond disgraceful. I have to wonder how any man can call himself a priest with a straight face.
July 2, 2008
10:58 AM
Kevin J Jones writes:
"Hell is paved with the skulls of priests."
-St. John Chrysostom
These foul sins are made all the more worse if the Catholic priesthood really is instituted by God. Abusing a holy calling to satisfy such perversions is one of the most sacrilegious deeds imaginable.
I pray the victims find peace, and, much as I dislike to, I pray the villains who abused them (and their superiors who enabled the abuse) find repentance.
July 2, 2008
11:36 AM
jay writes:
they should probably already have set up some sort of escrow account for this kind of eventuality.
July 2, 2008
1:23 PM
Brian in Evans writes:
Professor: Atheists are more intelligent than believers
Statistically, atheists have a higher intelligence than people with a strong religious faith. The difference is 5.8 points, according to a new study by the Danish professor of developmental psychology, Helmuth Nyborg.
The type of intelligence that he measures is the so-called g-factor, which is a measure of the ability of the brain to handle complex information.
The study was conducted at Aarhus University using American data from more than 7000 subjects.
Is atheism a new leap in evolution or is the concept of "god" a delusion as Dawkins claims? A controversial Danish professor now hints that people with lower intelligence may be attracted to religion.
July 2, 2008
2:03 PM
Kevin J Jones writes:
Brian in Evans,
I don't see why your comment is relevant, but I'll address it nonetheless.
Even if the study is correct, intelligence is not the same as wisdom. A humble person will recognize this, but a merely intelligent man might not.
July 2, 2008
6:01 PM
Anonymous writes:
RCC is the most evil institution on the planet, and if you are part of it you should RUN, do NOT walk, to the nearest exit .... or you can stay and put your kids into their schools to be browbeat, hit, and possibly molested, keep pouring your money into their coffers as they add vast worldly wealth to their already huge portfolio, and listen in morbidly vicarious joy as they share people's 'sins' at confessional .... really people, get out while you can ... if you can
July 3, 2008
5:34 AM
Willhelm writes:
About time the RC church was investigated at the highest levels of criminal investigations. If any other company or organisation had been involved in so many serious crimes, they would have been closed down years ago.
Cover ups, hideous abuse, ignoring crime etc etc, all in a days work for the RC church.
Shame on them!
July 3, 2008
7:15 AM
Alan C. writes:
This is the cult that despises homosexuality!
The biggest organized ring of pedophiles on earth.
And still the sheeple fund them! Unbelievable.
July 3, 2008
9:16 AM
benn writes:
I posted this on the main page, but didn't get a response.
Check out the movie 'Deliver Us From Evil' (www.deliverusfromevilthemovie.com).
It tells the story of a priest in California that was handled EXACTLY the same.
1) He abused children
2) The Church found out
3) He was moved to a parish 50, 60, 100 miles away
4) He abused children
5) Repeat 2 through 5 time 10
6) He was finally sent back to Ireland with no punishment. He walks completely free without having to report as a sexual predator
7) Church leadership who oversaw his position (Cardinals??) was promoted.
It is god damn ridiculous
July 3, 2008
9:25 AM
David M. writes:
Why not leave Denver? That's where the crimes occurred and apparently was tolerated by other Denver residents too. Run now and get out as fast as you can! Canadians are shouting the same: run and jump in the nearest ocean to escape the clutches of the American child molesting sympathizers if you still can!
If you denounce all in the Church b/c of abuse by unholy men who were not following the teachings of the Church, else they would not have committed homosexual acts upon boys (the majority of cases were men with boys), then denounce also your community. Oh, you say you did not know about it and would not have tolerated it if you had? Well ditto for the one billion faithful Catholics in the world.
Evil exists EVERYWHERE in the world because the father of lies exists, whether you believe it or not. Where else would you expect him to do his worst but in the Church he hates? The Good News is the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church, despite 2000 years of attacks.
July 3, 2008
10:15 AM
Anonymous writes:
the one billion faithful Catholics of the world would do well to abandon their 'church', the one that holds them in place with fear, threats, and guilt-ridden rituals, and simply practice reading the Book and doing their level best to be good people who care for and help their loved-ones and friends .... it wasn't until I left that I could see just how truly vile the institution is .... it amazes me that there's even a Commandment about not rendering any likeness of things in the Heavens or beneath the Earth, yet what adorns the walls, ceilings, and floors of every Catholic church I've ever been in? .... angels, God, Jesus (oh and you just have to love that statue with the hole in his chest so you can see his bloody, beating heart.... priceless!), and they hold the people in the pews by hanging Jesus on a cross with the crown of thorns on his head, so everyone who gazes upon it feels the horrific guilt that will keep them putting into the offering plates, and coming back often .... you really think God needs guilt and intimidation to keep people in line? you think that's the plan? .... as I said before, RUN, do NOT walk to the nearest exit .... you don't need no stinkin' church to have a relationship with God .... but you do need to have a little ambition and motivation ...... it's easy, and FAR more rewarding than plopping your keester down in some church
July 3, 2008
11:52 AM
David M. writes:
Nothin' doing Anonymous. Not interested in giving up the splendor of truth, the bride of Christ, and the most precious Blessed Sacrament to become a bitter ex-Catholic.
Displaying our Saviour in His most loving act is supposed to make you more humble, charitable, and appreciative. Sorry you missed that.
As part of the Church Christ founded, the first pope, Saint Peter, was given the authority on earth to guide his people, entrusted with the keys to the kingdom. That does not guarantee him that bad people won't rise up to be authority figures. Now that we know who they are, they are being dealt with.
Someone once asked St. Francis de Sales about the scandal caused by so many of his brother priests in the 1500's. He said, "While those who give scandal are guilty of the spiritual equivalent of murder [i.e., destroying other people's faith in God by their terrible example], those who take scandal-who allow scandals to destroy their faith-are guilty of spiritual suicide." They are guilty, he said, of cutting off their life with Christ by abandoning the source of life in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
July 3, 2008
12:03 PM
Believer writes:
David -
"Now that we know who they are, they are being dealt with."
Maybe I missed something, but the church leadership DID know who this was. And did nothing. For years. Heck, even Haggard was bounced after his escapades became public. How do you rationalize years of the RC church covering this up?
Not to mention that The Bible talks about confessing your sins, but no mention is made of priests alone granting absolution. Where does the church get this?
Also, how do you explain the "infallible" nature of the pope? Is he not human? If so, does he not carry sin? What are your thoughts?
July 3, 2008
12:46 PM
Anonymous writes:
show me ANYWHERE in the old or new testaments where it says "pope" .... I've read extensively in both, and I'll help you out here ... it doesn't say it anywhere .... not a single place ... so I'm finding myself very unimpressed by a bunch of guys who sit in a little building, taking secret ballots, and notifying the world that they've selected a member of their little boys club to be "pope" by which color of smoke comes out the pipe .... mere humans?!? .... claiming to know God's will and selecting who will be "God on Earth" ..... humbug and horse hooey .... and btw, I didn't "miss" anything buddy ... you did .... let me ask you a question, and please see if you can answer it without using the same tired, illogical, un-Biblically supported rhetoric that ministers, priests, divinity profs, and many others feebly offer ..... ready? ..... if Jesus was who he said he was, then why are the vast majority of Biblical prophesies about the Messiah yet undone? (and since you're going to give me the same "second coming" answer as the others, I'll post the second question now) .... ready? .... exactly where is the prophecy of the second coming of Messiah? ... (and since you're not going to be able to tell me just as the others couldn't, let me ask you the third question now) ... exactly where in prophecy does it say anything about Messiah being a "God/man" or "man/God"? (since it doesn't, let me ask you yet another question here) ... ready? ..... only two possibilities exist; Jesus is either who he said he was, or he isn't .... and he essentially claimed to be God .... if he is, then why would we need to do anything but go directly to God? ... can you imagine God being angry at you because you came directly to Him instead of going to Jesus? .... I can't .... and if Jesus isn't who he claimed to be, then do you realize what you're doing by offering worship of him? ... yeah, that's right, it's called worshiping another god .... and don't even get me started on all the "saints" and Mary .... blows my mind ... Jesus is so angry with us that we must ask his mum to intercede on our behalf .... see, only mankind creates seven or eight layers of management in its corporations .... God only needs one .... His! .... but this will be lost on you like so many others .... people want to believe what is given them my their parents and other trusted sources instead of studying for themselves .... but take heart, for in the end it will not matter much what we believed, but rather, how we treated each other and helped when we could, and my life remains full of Catholics who are salt of the Earth, kind and charitable, so whether Jesus is the Messiah or not also won't matter one iota at the end of days either ....
July 3, 2008
1:41 PM
David M. writes:
Infallibility pertains to the power of the Holy Spirit to guide the pope's proclamations regarding the faith, with the intent of it being believed by all and for all time. Pope John Paul's position on the Irag war, for example, is not necessarily infallible (although we, Iraq included, would have done well to listen to him). The teachings on the Trinity and the Incarnation are infallible statements that go beyond what Scriptures tells us, but is consistent nonetheless. Some notoriously sinful popes in the past have caused major scandal, but none have derailed the Church by teaching error. See 1 Tim 3:15, Jn 16:13, Lk 10:16, Mt 16:19 Even Peter (fallibly)denied Jesus, but we call him a saint today, and the first pope. See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm
The authorities (namely Jesus) in Judas day knew who he was, but it took time and a series of bad events before he was outed. Imagine that, Christ choosing a follower who did not remain faithful. If it could happen to Him, it could happen to His Church. We should not be too surprised to see it happening in our time. Judas represented 8% of the Apostles. Thankfully the scoundrels in the Church today don't even come close to that percentage (3-4%). Don't forget the good Catholic men and women who make a big contribution in the world today. Where is the positive press on them to balance the small percentage of bad (albeit very bad) members?
I think there were many bishops who erred covering up for the scoundrels and some say their actions are as bad as the first crime. They certainly were part of the problem. Not making excuses for their horribly bad decisions. But what was the big crime that has caused so much pain? Homosexual acts with boys (most of the criminal acts were against 13 to 17 year old young men). Know of a PC way to address that without getting further hammered? The contributors on this forum seem to want to ignore it.
Regarding absolution, why would Jesus give the Apostles the power to forgive sins (Jn 20:22-23, 2 Cor 5:17-20, James 5:13-15) if He did not want them to use it?
July 3, 2008
2:20 PM
Ted in Vegas writes:
First Pope, St. Peter? HOW ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS! The Catholic Church is no more Christian than the Mormon Church is.
Peter was a pebble (Peter comes from Petra = pebble or small rock), the BOULDER upon which the church, which the gates of hell shall not prevail against, is built is JESUS CHRIST!
Compare Peter, who told a man that knelt before him to "rise for I am but a man also", against the pope on the other hand. Do you really think that archaid EMPIRE called the Catholic church really came from a humble man like Peter?
There are no provisions in the Bible for a POPE, or CARDINAL. The only two offices listed in the Bible is the Bishop (aka Pastor and Elder) and the Deacon. The Bible says both the Bishop and the Deacon are supposed to be MARRIED to only ONE WIFE and rule their CHILDREN well. The Bible says that any and all who call on Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour are both Priest and Saint! Compare that against the Catholic church, no comparison - the Catholic church is not Bible-based, is not God-based and therefore is not Christian.
The FIRST POPE was LEO I in 354 AD (or 346 AD, I forget which) and instituted by Constantine when he gave the self-proclaimed Bishop of Rome the title of Pontifus Maximus, which until that point was held by the Emporer, in order to usurp the growing power of Christianity in order to establish his claim to the empire rather than his opponent.
The Catholic Church is full of well-intentioned people, but the Catholic Church has and is misleading them. Furthermore, it has waged war against Christianity in order to usurp it's title and establish it's own power. In just more than a millenia (354 AD to about 1600 AD), the Catholic Church (by its own records) executed about 50 million Christians, whom the Popes called "anabaptists" or "rebaptizers".
July 3, 2008
2:39 PM
David M. writes:
Nor will you find in the Old and New Testaments:
Old Testament, New Testament, Trinity, Bible, Incarnation, Pascal Mystery, Hypostatic Union...
all of which are ideas, principles and/or beliefs accepted by all Christians (at least the mainline churches). How does such a "vile institution" as you call it make such bold teachings, and more importantly, codifying the books making up the Bible, declaring all its contents inspired at the council in Hippo in 337AD?
Pope simply means papa, and we love our papa.
Sorry, I can't make any sense of the rest of your rantings.
July 3, 2008
2:43 PM
joe writes:
It is not rational to condemn the Catholic Church wholesale simply because of this scandal, horrible as it is. It must be recognized that, even from a purely secular viewpoint, the CC has done a lot of good in the world; just look at Catholic hospitals, charities, etc. Look at Mother Theresa.
On the other hand, there has been a tendency in the Catholic hierarchy over the centuries to value the image and worldly status of the Church too highly. This scandal is just the latest instance of this.
July 3, 2008
3:09 PM
Ted in Vegas writes:
Yes, David M., we do use certain, non-Biblical terms to refer to Biblical principles. So. There still is no Biblical justification for an office such as the POPE, regardless of whether you call him a pope, papa, pontifus maximus, dude, or even joe blow. I'm not talking about the names of the office; I'm talking about the office itself. There is no Biblical justification or claim to the office and power that a POPE (or whatever you want to call him) is granted by his own church; just as there is no justification or reliable claim to a Catholic Church in the Bible.
But, for simplicity sake, lets boil this all down to this:
Why did Pope John Paul II ask his followers to pray for his soul so that he MIGHT be accepted in Heaven?
Likewise, Mother Theresa wrote that she wasn't sure that she was good enough to make it to Heaven.
On the other hand, we can know for sure where our eternity will be spent. The Bible tells us we can be sure in our salvation if we put our faith in Jesus and what he did on the cross for us.
Unlike the POPE, you can know and not fear for your eternal soul. http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-english.html
July 3, 2008
11:51 PM
Anonymous writes:
Ted,
Not that the historical record and facts would matter very much to you, neverthless I've assembled the record for others to see. Constantine died around 337 a.d. He did not appoint Leo as you claim. In fact, Pope St. Leo the Great was the first Pope of that name in 440 a.d. You are only off about 100 years. Pretty good for your kind history. Pretty pathetic when pertaining to matters of truth.
I almost forgot, please reveal the Church "records" that show the murdering of 50,000,000 Catholics by the Church. Forgive me if I don't hold my breath waiting for you to get back to me.
St. Peter (32-67)
St. Linus (67-76)
St. Anacletus (Cletus) (76-88)
St. Clement I (88-97)
St. Evaristus (97-105)
St. Alexander I (105-115)
St. Sixtus I (115-125) Also called Xystus I
St. Telesphorus (125-136)
St. Hyginus (136-140)
St. Pius I (140-155)
St. Anicetus (155-166)
St. Soter (166-175)
St. Eleutherius (175-189)
St. Victor I (189-199)
St. Zephyrinus (199-217)
St. Callistus I (217-22) Callistus and the following three popes were opposed by St. Hippolytus, antipope (217-236)
St. Urban I (222-30)
St. Pontain (230-35)
St. Anterus (235-36)
St. Fabian (236-50)
St. Cornelius (251-53) Opposed by Novatian, antipope (251)
St. Lucius I (253-54)
St. Stephen I (254-257)
St. Sixtus II (257-258)
St. Dionysius (260-268)
St. Felix I (269-274)
St. Eutychian (275-283)
St. Caius (283-296) Also called Gaius
St. Marcellinus (296-304)
St. Marcellus I (308-309)
St. Eusebius (309 or 310)
St. Miltiades (311-14)
St. Sylvester I (314-35)
St. Marcus (336)
St. Julius I (337-52)
Liberius (352-66) Opposed by Felix II, antipope (355-365)
St. Damasus I (366-83)
July 4, 2008
12:20 AM
Anonymous writes:
Ted, Ted, Ted
I thought I was done with you. Then I read your statement that,
"...there is no justification or reliable claim to a Catholic Church in the Bible."
How could there be? The Church came first - then the Bible. Want proof? The Bible wasn't promulgated until many centuries after the time of Christ. Specifically, The African Synod of Hippo, in 393, approved the New Testament, as it stands today, together with the Septuagint books, a decision that was repeated by Councils of Carthage in 397 and 419. These councils were under the authority of St. Augustine, who regarded the canon as already closed. Therefore there was no official New Testament until 393. And even then only because councils convened by Popes declared it so. Sorry Ted.
July 4, 2008
11:05 AM
Anonymous writes:
there may have been a mis-statement on who was stated as having been killed by the Catholics during the crusades .... my recollection from reading many years ago was that the military arm, at the direction and funding of the RCC, killed millions of Muslims, gypsies, and other "non-conformists", including by accident, several million Jews .... and yes, it seems that the 50M number is what I recall ..... but frankly, I've not researched this or read about it for years .... too many other things to do ... someone else may know and have a reference (but pleeeeze, not wikipedia)
July 4, 2008
11:29 AM
Dottie writes:
Let's face it. There is NO religion that has not discriminated and tortured those who were deemed non-believers for the sake of CONTROL.
Religion is a double-edged sword that to this day still cuts and maims.
July 4, 2008
12:32 PM
Anonymous writes:
Anonymous at 11:51 and 12:20, your position only works if one gives credence to the Christ myth and authority to the 'popes' .... in my opinion, and the opinions of many others including renowned Biblical scholars, the NT is as full of holes as swiss cheese, replete with numerous disturbing discrepancies, and many deem the so-called gospels were written by the same person with intent to exhibit variances .... when one considers those points, along with the questions I posed on 7/3 @ 12:46PM one must certainly question everything about Catholicism in general and Christianity specifically ..... how about you take a shot at answering all four of them, since the person I originally posed them to didn't even try ..... but I just have to say that it astounds me that one billion Catholics, roughly one-sixth of the people on the planet, buy into the horse hooey of the pope having the authority of God on the Earth ..... unbelievable .... our parents give us a bill of goods, along with Santa, the tooth fairy, the Ishtar bunny (the fertility goddess), and a host of other crap and we just gobble it up ..... a brain is a terrible thing to waste
July 5, 2008
8:35 AM
Ben writes:
Anonymous...give some specifics. Where are the inconsistencies and holes in the new testament? Which specific passages?
July 5, 2008
9:02 AM
Plenty of blame to go around for ALL churches writes:
The Catholic church is only one of many, many churches that cover up transgressions of church leaders. Yet the Catholic church gets the most criticism!
July 5, 2008
9:03 AM
Plenty of blame to go around for ALL churches writes:
The Catholic church is only one of many, many churches that cover up transgressions of church leaders. Yet the Catholic church gets the most criticism!
July 5, 2008
12:22 PM
joe writes:
PBTGAFAC: Show me another example of an *organized* coverup of widespread clergy molestation which implicated the uppermost levels of a church, on anything approaching the scale of Catholic scandal that occurred in the US. I don't think you can.
July 5, 2008
1:26 PM
Show US ALL an example of any other denomination doing it's best NOW to make things right writes:
Until more people come out of their minister/clergy/pastor/spiritual advisor closets, we won't know the extent of molestations of young and old alike in ANY church. However, given the sheer size of the Catholic church, and the huge numbers of Catholics around the world, yes, this has been a widespread scandal/coverup. It is significant and at least honorable this much: that because of land holdings, and other investments, the Catholic church has had resources to pay those who've brought claims against the church. Those who were molested and collected at least have had some recourse. This may not be the case where many churches and other denominations don't have as many "deep pockets" available to plunder. NOT to excuse ANY CLERGY of ANY denomination from taking advantage of the trust placed in them. Bet we'll see plenty of exposure in the future, given all the media technology available going forward, so that those who engage in unsavory (some would say downright sinful, yes?) acts will be caught at it.
July 5, 2008
1:32 PM
Two cents writes:
Unexcusable poor oversight and deep problems in the RC, obviously. LET US NOT add to the tragedy, however, by stereotyping all priests. There are so many excellent ones, the vast majority, I know several. They are hurt deeply by this as so many of us are. The healing needs to take place at a deep structural level in the church. I want to support all, including priests, who want to consciously work for that change.
July 5, 2008
1:50 PM
Gloria Poole writes:
I am going to write this not knowing IF I will be allowed to participate since there is often much routine effort to censor my political and religious speech/writings by the so-called "agents of change"in the US. I am a well-known opponent of catholicism and I would like to state my reasons for that. I believe it is the greatest lie perpetrated in the name of religion because it purposely leads people astray from the truth of the written word of GOD in the Holy Bible. History is filled with examples of the pope in power attempting to prevent the publishing of the Bible. Read the account of the publication of the Gutenberg Bible and how the catholic church nearly destroyed the man who wanted all people in Germany to be able to afford a Bible and to read it. JESUS said,'ye hypocrites! well did E-sai-as prophesy of you saying, 'this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoreth me with their lips but their hearts are far from me'. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:7-9.
The commandments of men = the words of men not led by GOD who institute ritual, idolatry, and tradition [instead of the true words and Commandments of THE GOD, as written in Exodus ch 13] are the entire book called 'catechism' that has nothing whatsoever to do with GOD or the worship of GOD. The other areas of disagreement are that catholic idolators routinely depict JESUS as still dead and on the cross sort of like a stone icon, when in fact, HE IS ALIVE since HE rose from the dead and lives in heaven according to Revelation 1:17-18. The focus of their religion is the worship of humans {the pope, the dead human Mary whom they try to make a "co-Redeemer" with JESUS, Paul, who from Biblical accounts never repented of having murdered believers, and their so called "saints" as they decide them to be} who are well, HUMAN. They are not GOD and never were and never will be.
There is NO co-Redeemer. There is only ONE GOD and no one else, there is no other GOD but GOD according to Scripture. GOD in the flesh is JESUS, THE MESSIAH foretold in Scripture and yet the catholic church will actively try to prevent anyone from publishing the scriptures of JESUS in John 14:6 that is written, "I AM the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto THE FATHER but by ME."
I attended catholic churches intermittently to seek to know why their parishioners had no consciences and why they had no repentence. I observed the payment of "indulgences" to so-called Priests to
'atone for sins' and then the continuation of the sinning. I realized the truth that their religion is not based upon the Holy Bible at all, but upon the 'doctrines of men'. I also researched and understood that the catholic church began from the pagan worship of animals and false gods of mythology and half-human-half 'god'; and morphed some to escape persecution when Constantine declared the "official religion" to be Christianity. They stuck the 'crown of heaven' on their idols that depicted bacchus, the so called god of wine, and called them 'apostles' and they stuck the "crown of heaven" on their pagan idols, and false gods and named them as 'saints'.
I am Southern Baptist and read the Scriptures for myself, and when I need explanation of them I pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me what it means. The dark ages [when men did not know THE GOD or honor HIM] when idolatry, paganism, false gods of half-crocodile/half-god' and half-falcon/half 'god' and half-ibis/half 'god' resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths from cruel and ungodly events.
The catholic church is by and large what it is a false religion based upon the worship of things idols, false gods, humans, money, self, and not the worship of GOD. As such how could it do other than what it does. JESUS said a leopard does not change his spots. A heathen, not-GOD-based religion cannot behave as a GOD-honoring, GOD-inspired,and GOD-focused religion does.
That is not to say to that the pedophiles should not be prosecuted. They should and they should be defrocked and removed from the Church. They cannot lead others if they themselves are defiled. Sin defiles, and GOD does not allow sinners into heaven. Furthermore Matthew chapter 18 makes it clear that those who deliberately lead children astray will be punished and there will be 'woe' [verse 7].
I sign my true and legal name, gloria poole.
July 6, 2008
10:55 AM
Mark T writes:
I'm not sure why the debate over what words may or may not be included in the New/Old Testament- the bottom line is that the 'Priesthood' is the biggest CLOSET in the world. Let's get THIS straight:
CHRISTIANITY/RELIGION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MORALITY.
The FIRST person that I get wary of, moral-wise, is a Christian. At least people who are atheist/agnostic and genuinely good-hearted, do so because it's what's right, and what we deserve of one another, not because a book told us to, or some BS consequence if we don't.
July 6, 2008
10:09 PM
er.by.ru writes:
Hack again?!
July 7, 2008
10:31 AM
Anonymous writes:
here you go ben
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/donald_morgan/contradictions.html
July 7, 2008
2:48 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) Jesus died, was buried and rose again. writes:
What a person believes should have no bearing on how they are treated when they commit a crime. The RCC should not be smeared for the actions of either priests or parisherners, but rather for what it actually promotes. If there is evidence of conspiracy to enable pedophiles to remain within their employ, they should pay for that crime, but the whole church should not pay for the sins of a few.
July 7, 2008
8:41 PM
Oh Really? writes:
Mark T wrote: "At least people who are atheist/agnostic and genuinely good-hearted, do so because it's what's right, and what we deserve of one another, not because a book told us to, or some BS consequence if we don't."
Talk about a pile of BS. . .betcha there are more than a few "atheist/agnostic and *otherwise* genuinely good-hearted people who are also pedophiles, thieves, sex-offenders, yada, yada. . .but they all mean well, don't they?
July 15, 2008
9:51 AM
Unshakeable Catholic writes:
This obviously happened a while ago. I believe that the Church has learned from its mistakes and is working to make sure that these types of tragic events do not happen anymore. While it is easy to blame the Church and then obviously put down the religious, that doesn't seem like a very smart move. Every institution on earth has some kind of "bad" person in it, whether they rape, steal, extort, etc. That's because they are human institutions. Humans have free will and therefore sin. They should not be seen as a representation of the God they represent. I think that much of the negative backlash against the Church is misunderstanding of the religious itself and blind prejudice. Protestant ministers sexually abuse children at a high rate than priests, but it is not publicized, because our society loves to hear about the faults of the Church.
I wish to address a few more claims: I know very few people in the Church that would not accept a member of the GLBT (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender) community. However, because the Bible says it is a sin, we do believe it is a sin. Who among us is not a sinner? I am a sinner. The Bible also says that all sins are equal, so when I lie, I am no better or no worse than my homosexual brothers and sisters. I do know some gay people that are members of the Church and other then older folk who are uncomfortable with them (which happens everywhere) they are treated no differently than anyone else.
And as to the claim that atheists are smarter...what does that have to do with anything? I am a very intelligent person. I am currently in college with a full ride scholarship, a 4.0 GPA, and will soon be headed to graduate school to get my Ph.D. The most important thing in my life is my Catholic faith. This doesn't make me stupid. It isn't the result of stupidity, it is the result of a desire for something more.
December 7, 2008
10:38 PM
anonymous writes:
About 10 years ago a priest in our church was accused of molesting two boys he of course said he was innocent. As it flashed across a local TV station I was shocked, all I had known was that this man was arrogant and I did not have time to notice because I was busy raising my children and being a PTA mom. I just went to mass every Sunday. I immediately called my mother and said do you believe this, with a paused silence my mom said ''YES I DO'' it happened to me when I was a little girl by a priest who came in 1939 Father Ferdinand Strasser. My mother said that he wielded a hard hand. While he was very resouseful at raising money and building a church that was debt free after only 3 years. He contined molesting children up until a parent[s] complained to a higher authority came from his order to speak with the people who were bringing forth the problem that this man had.This man came to my mothers house and asked her questions and she told him her experience. Father Strasser then came to my mothers house pounding on the door my mom did not answer, shortly after Father Stasser had to be physically removed from the rectory. I asked my mother if she ever told my grandparents she said yes but back then you did not come up against a priest. Just to note another priest who grew up in my town and went to Catholic school with my mom had allegations brought toward him and he left in 2002. My faith was shaken at first but I remain a faithful Catholic while I do not agree with every aspect of the church I believe that I am there for a reason. I speak out about things that seem to me are going backwards I keep my eye on the prize MY SWEET PRECIOUS LORD JESUS CHRIST.
December 25, 2008
6:16 PM
JDC writes:
Dear Gloria --
The Catechism is all about the worship of God and is in no way the commandments of men. Read it. The Catholic Church was wrong to keep the Bible out of the hands of the people, but they didn't do it without reason--not everyone even today has the understanding to understand Scripture because it is so vast and deep.
We believe in the resurrection of the body. Christ is not dead, nor is he depicted as such. He is shown achieving life through death, which is the sacrifice we all must make.
No one says that anyone besides God is God. There is just one God in three divine persons. But there are members of the Body of Christ. Saints. The first saint was Mary, who, as Mother of Christ, is the Mother of the Church. Also, don't you think that if God selected her, he wouldn't just use her womb and throw her away?
No conscience? How dare you? Indulgences are not bought and sold. Not anymore. They were about five hundred years ago, but we got over that. Humans are not sin-free. Jesus taught that, we get it. You should too.
We have nothing to do with animal worship, thankyouverymuch.
My folks in Carolina are Southern Baptists and they are not at all as intolerant as you are. They're kind people. I read Scripture for myself, too, and I pray about it. I also value the scholarship of the Church which sets Scripture in its historical context and shows how it still applies to day as LIVING WORD, just like Jesus.
You're right that bad priests should be punished and excommunicated, and I couldn't agree more. They are a blight on the Church of Christ.