In his two days in Ireland - broadcast on many outlets - Francis apologised profusely about the conduct of his clergy, in that country.

At least, he now accepts that child sexual abuse happened (the church had constantly denied everything) - and even described the offending catholic priests, as 'filth'.

But he will not release the church's abuse records on the thousands of church paedophiles - to allow the victims to have their days on court.


Courts - on virtually every country on earth.

Here, many murderers and rapists say 'sorry' - but still face the music.

So far, an exception has been made for the Vatican cult.

One reason is that Vatican City is a sovereign state (with diplomatic and numerous other unique protections).


Why not just say...if they're guilty, treat them like the rest of us...

Just as many Protestant priests or vicars abuse kids, Barney; and Islamic mullahs, and Hindus and Buddhists and Moonies - pick your faith you'll find it studded with perverts. And with young people desperate to enjoy a blow job who, in later life, influenced by the media, decide they have been abused against their will.

JK2006 wrote:
Just as many Protestant priests or vicars abuse kids, Barney; and Islamic mullahs, and Hindus and Buddhists and Moonies - pick your faith you'll find it studded with perverts. And with young people desperate to enjoy a blow job who, in later life, influenced by the media, decide they have been abused against their will.

If they were underage, they have.
But I think many of the allegations are about younger and older priests, isn't it? Which is rather different.

Lumping the child abuse, violence, homosexuality and murder all together is a big mistake in my opinion, and seems to trivialise some potential crimes and exaggerate others.

Just as many - who knows?

What is certain is that the Catholic church covered the abuse up for years, before they were forced to admit it.

Now, they accept/admit their failings - and seek forgiveness, without the need to involve the juciciaries of dozens of countries!

Should they receive this special treatment - and avoid being charged with the alleged abuses, under due process?

Many cases have been proven worldwide - but the RCC continues to refuse to release their abuse records.


Very eloquently, the Irish PM (a gay man, of Indian descent) made these views very clearly to Francis on Saturday.

Hopefully, these serious matters will not continue to be ignored by Rome - which is only very sorry, so far.

Cooperation has been non-negotiable...

Barney wrote:
Just as many - who knows?

What is certain is that the Catholic church covered the abuse up for years, before they were forced to admit it.

Now, they accept/admit their failings - and seek forgiveness, without the need to involve the juciciaries of dozens of countries!

Should they receive this special treatment - and avoid being charged with the alleged abuses, under due process?

Many cases have been proven worldwide - but the RCC continues to refuse to release their abuse records.


Very eloquently, the Irish PM (a gay man, of Indian descent) made these views very clearly to Francis on Saturday.

Hopefully, these serious matters will not continue to be ignored by Rome - which is only very sorry, so far.

Cooperation has been non-negotiable...

Legalities aside, I can see why they just want to apologise and let it be.
decades of legal wrangles wont do anybody any good.

You can see why?

That would be their reason for obfuscating, lying, denying - everything, so that their paedophile employees are not brought to justice.

A child rapist in Liverpool would be soon in a dock. Why should RCC employees be treated any differently?


Varadkar, the Irish PM asked this - as a direct question to Francis, who is not to blame personally.


Time to stop saying 'sorry' - just bring the abusers to justice....

All beyond me - we get this in every witch hunt; soccer clubs should have stopped abuse by coaches... schools should have fired teachers... Church of England vicars "got away with it"... universities should have unstrung cellists... for God's sake stop it! There are bigger, current problems in the world. Stop hounding old women for chaining themselves to railings.

The 'it happens everywhere argument' just doesn't work.

Let's please stick to religions; those that have condoned child abuse, had employees convicted of it and denied it ever happened - in the western world.


RCC only, I think.


Separate jurisdictions have confirmed/made positive judgments on it.

Ireland, Washington, Pennsylvania, Chile, Australia etc. - even our schools, like Ampleforth and Downside.


Not new, it happens everywhere! - is an insult to common sense, logic and decency...

Barney wrote:
You can see why?

That would be their reason for obfuscating, lying, denying - everything, so that their paedophile employees are not brought to justice.

A child rapist in Liverpool would be soon in a dock. Why should RCC employees be treated any differently?


Varadkar, the Irish PM asked this - as a direct question to Francis, who is not to blame personally.


Time to stop saying 'sorry' - just bring the abusers to justice....

How? most of them are dead!

OK closed topic (again).