The view of Pope Francis on abortion - he's just announced.

Whether it's true or not, no other Pope has ever been as straight talking.


Consequently, the Vatican is very worried about what he might say next.

After all - Catholics believe that the Pope is 'infallible' ...

I like this pope.

I like the Pope too but I feel he should be less condemning of sinners as Caca and more Christian in his approach to those easily condemned. Jesus would be a better moral guide than the Editor of a tabloid.

Refusing to allow a Catholic divorcee to receive the Holy Sacrament (communion) is, in my opinion, wrong.

However, Francis condones this worldwide practice/penalty for those who split up after marriage - for whatever reason.

In Francis's view, marriage is sacrosanct - and for life - with no possibility of Christian forgiveness, for making a wrong choice.

A bit harsh perhaps, in this day and age.


On the other hand though, this Pope is currently taking a much firmer approach to the paedophile activities of his foot soldiers in Pennsylvania, Chile, Washington.

So far, at least one Cardinal has bitten the dust, with more likely to follow.

And daring not to forgive them in direct contrast to the teachings of Christ.

Why haven't two thousand odd years of Christianity developed a "kindly, realistic conscience" in society?

www.dorothyrowe.com.au/articles/item/71-...cience-may/june-2001

Barney wrote:
Refusing to allow a Catholic divorcee to receive the Holy Sacrament (communion) is, in my opinion, wrong.

However, Francis condones this worldwide practice/penalty for those who split up after marriage - for whatever reason.

In Francis's view, marriage is sacrosanct - and for life - with no possibility of Christian forgiveness, for making a wrong choice.

A bit harsh perhaps, in this day and age.


On the other hand though, this Pope is currently taking a much firmer approach to the paedophile activities of his foot soldiers in Pennsylvania, Chile, Washington.

So far, at least one Cardinal has bitten the dust, with more likely to follow.




Cardinal Wuerl, of Washington, is gone today.

The Number One US Catholic cleric.


Now the church clearly accepts its systemic paedophilia - and (at last) has stopped denying it.


Next - reparation?

Wuerl followed Cardinal McCarrick in the prime Diocese of Washington.

Now, both have been dismissed as Cardinals, as a consequence of Pope Francis's investigation into child sex allegations.

Errazuriz - the Chilean Cardinal is also under the Francis microscope, for similar reasons.

As is George Pell in Australia, where two child abuse legal cases are currently being taken against him.


This is not a great time for the Roman Catholic Church - particularly for the guys at the top table.


Ironic - bearing in mind that all those named constantly denied that paedophilia was endemic in the RCC.

- their mantra; it simply never happened -

Barney wrote:
Barney wrote:
Refusing to allow a Catholic divorcee to receive the Holy Sacrament (communion) is, in my opinion, wrong.

However, Francis condones this worldwide practice/penalty for those who split up after marriage - for whatever reason.

In Francis's view, marriage is sacrosanct - and for life - with no possibility of Christian forgiveness, for making a wrong choice.

A bit harsh perhaps, in this day and age.


On the other hand though, this Pope is currently taking a much firmer approach to the paedophile activities of his foot soldiers in Pennsylvania, Chile, Washington.

So far, at least one Cardinal has bitten the dust, with more likely to follow.




Cardinal Wuerl, of Washington, is gone today.

The Number One US Catholic cleric.


Now the church clearly accepts its systemic paedophilia - and (at last) has stopped denying it.


Next - reparation?

I hope not.
They could use the money to take care of people properly and make sure it never happens again.

Chilling post, Honey.


So - if a child is raped by a Catholic priest (or anyone else) - you think they shouldn't be brought to justice?


Or be responsible for the rehabilitation of innocent victims, taken advantage of because of a perceived status.



Why do you hope not?

Barney wrote:
Chilling post, Honey.


So - if a child is raped by a Catholic priest (or anyone else) - you think they shouldn't be brought to justice?


Or be responsible for the rehabilitation of innocent victims, taken advantage of because of a perceived status.



Why do you hope not?

I dont know why you would think I dont want rapists prosecuted? I was responding to you saying "Next, reparation", which usually means compensation.

I am not a fan of compensation in general.
I dont think a load of money actually compensates for a serious crime in any way. in fact the suggestion is rather insulting.
Paying for therapy etc is a good idea, but telling someone that their rape was worth thirty thousand is quite repugnant in my view.

Also, those who took compensation would be taking money from a charity that does a huge amount of good, and they could use that cash to make it even better.
An awful lot of people rely heavily on the Catholic church for support.
Bankrupting the church would punish innocent people and truly help nobody.

What is needed is a sincere apology and a promise that it can never happen again.

reparation


"the act of making amends, offering expiation and providing satisfaction for wrong and injury"


not nearly just about compensation


glad you agree that rapists should be prosecuted - but few priests (who raped children) have been brought to justice


hopefully, the new stance and approach - of brave Francis - will change this...

honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:
An awful lot of people rely heavily on the Catholic church for support

What is needed is a sincere apology and a promise that it can never happen again


1. Did the support include the church covering up for their rapist clergy - now admitted?


2. An apology and a promise!

No punishment, justice or due process - like all other human beings...

Barney wrote:
Errazuriz - the Chilean Cardinal is also under the Francis microscope, for similar reasons

In Chile - quite apart from Errazuriz - two former arch/bishops have now been defrocked because of the sexual abuse of children.

Virtually unprecedented, defrocking is a complete 'turfing-out' by the church of seriously offering members, and the RCC's harshest penalty.


Prosecutions of clerics by the Chilean authorities (which never occurred in most other countries, like Ireland) is forcing the Vatican's hand.

Just as it did in Pennsylvania and Washington, where two Cardinals were recently fired.


Chile though seems to be a minefield! Not least because Francis himself defended the Cardinal there - and denied the abuse.

Local police and legal authorities are currently investigating 170 catholic bishops, priests and lay members - evidencing the enormity of the historic abuse.

Barney wrote:
honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:
An awful lot of people rely heavily on the Catholic church for support

What is needed is a sincere apology and a promise that it can never happen again


1. Did the support include the church covering up for their rapist clergy - now admitted?


2. An apology and a promise!

No punishment, justice or due process - like all other human beings...





I did not say I wanted them to have no punishment, justice or to be treated the same as everybody else. The cover ups are quite revolting.
But rather than dole out money (It has been suggested that the families of victims now dead should receive this too) I think it would be better spent on a complete overhaul to make sure it cant happen again.


I am talking about the care homes, the mother and baby units, (we need more, especially if abortion is condemned) emergency aid, medication, counselling, foodbanks etc etc etc.
A truly horrible thing has happened, but that doesn't mean the whole thing is rotten.
No point in us cutting off our nose to spite our face, is there?

Francis has certainly got things moving fast - from the mandatory RCC blanket denials of child sexual abuse, by its clergy.


The diocese of Texas - with 1,300 parishes and 8.5 million catholics - has confirmed that it will now publish the names of offending priests.

Priests who have not been convicted - but have had 'credible' accusations of child abuse activities made against them. These claims will date back 70 years!

An absolutely remarkable turnaround by a section of the church - and one which will have the midnight oil burning in the Vatican.


Genie may now be out of the bottle...raising the blatantly obvious question.


- "Why not name all aledged child abusers, in every diocese?" -

chicago-suntimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/...mp;amp_gsa=1&usp


volt-face...


a) will other US dioceses follow suit?

b) will other jusidictions/countries do the same?

c) how will Rome react?



the proverbial can of worms

bearing in mind the constant rebuttals and denials of the church

and its Popes, Cardinals and Bishops...

Barney wrote:
chicago-suntimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/...mp;amp_gsa=1&usp


volt-face...


a) will other US dioceses follow suit?

b) will other jusidictions/countries do the same?

c) how will Rome react?



the proverbial can of worms

bearing in mind the constant rebuttals and denials of the church

and its Popes, Cardinals and Bishops...


The publication of priests credibly accused of child abuse has commenced - even before the Texans go to print.

Washington Archdiocese has now published the names of 31 such priests, going back 70 years. Giving details of their offences/activities.


Will this newly found RCC transparency extend to Europe, allowing Irish and UK parents to see which individuals abused their children?

And presumably, giving the right and ability to prosecute them, in the relevant jurisdiction(s)...

The UK Department of Justice is to hold a federal inquiry into child abuse, by catholic clergy, in the state of Pennsylvania.

It will follow a recent 900 page report by the Attorney General - which detailed the offences of 300 clergy, over a period of 70 years.

USA now seems to be leading the way in hunting down these individuals, with two former Washington Cardinals recently expelled.


Government involvement is also occurring in Chile - where the Cardinal is also gone - and it seems only a matter of time before European countries follow suit.

Pennsylvania is not the first major statewide investigation of the Catholic church in the USA.

In the early 2,000's, the Boston Globe published evidence of child abuse by clergy - in the Boston diocese.

About 6% of priests in the diocese (about 100) were found to have been paedophiles for years - with the diocese systematically paying off victims, subject to confidentiality agreements.

The Globe won a Pulitzer Prize for the work - by its Spotlight investigative team.

Later the Spotlight movie was made, starring Michael Keaton- which won two Oscars, including best picture.

However - the Cardinal responsible was spirited off to Rome, where he held high office in the Vatican until his death many years later.


Just a touch of deja-vu, bearing in mind the ongoing cases/inquiries in Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas etc?