Ricardo Ezatti - Cardinal of Chile - has just resigned, following allegations of child sex abuse.

Eight of the thirty-four Chilean bishops have already gone - and Ezatti will be before the courts shortly.

Taking all countries - including the USA, Chile, France and Australia - about 5% of the 120 Cardinals have left their jobs.

All for the same reasons - following prosecutions by the civil authorities - and all after denying any wrongdoing.

Rome's view is still awaited, following the January Summit on the child abuse issue - the existence of which, the church now formally acknowledges.


Next - what action will the Catholic church take?

Expressions of remorse and regret - with condemnations and firing - do little for the thousands abused.

Still no sign of ITK?....He was such an entertaining poster....still back to your frequent Catholic posts...

The facts....lots of people in authority over the years have taken advantage of their position...churches,mosques,schools,hospitals.....all over the world...some,but we do not know how many have,and always will use their position for bad motives.....It was almost always covered up....even you must remember St James Junior School in Shirley?...The dodgy headmaster,who suddenly resigned back in the 70s?...A former partner told me he had sexually abused her,hands in inappropriate positions mainly.... by letting him go without an investigation the appropriate authorities were part of a cover up....funny enough it was a C of E school...but in my many worldly travels I've been informed of many of these,all races,all religions it would seem.

....The biggest problem is proof....remember Saville?...A definite weirdo...probably a Sexual Deviant...possibly a sexual abuser....but we will never know the truth...as we will never know the full truth of Catholic Institutional Abuse...

....we are in danger here of going down the Saville route...making assumptions of the size of a problem that can never be accurately measured....

....The church was stupid to try to cover things up,and they were certainly not alone in the matter....prepare for the future,for the past has gone,and cannot be either changed...or proved in many cases.

....A good day for weather....I'm looking forward to a few days in North Wales....hope your day has been good too.

The biggest problem is proof!

Why then did courts condemn and convict Catholic clergy in so many different and diverse jurisdictions?

Such as - just for instance - USA (Boston, Pennsylvania, Washington, Philadelphia); Chile; France; Australia; Ireland.


But WHY - most significantly - can people not accept that the Vatican (because of Francis) now have admitted their failures.

By ignoring and denying abuse by clergy, even paying people off.

If the Pope admits it, it's probably right...

Who cares? Every day another teacher or sports coach or vicar Goes. Every day there are dozens more false allegations, hundreds more exaggerations and a few genuine claims. Why pick on Catholics or Muslims or Moonies? Sort out the lies, punish the guilty, be decent and kind to all sides but mainly, stop equating sex - especially consensual - with violence. Knife crimes involving killing are far more crucial to stop than wanking 50 years ago.

Barney wrote:
The biggest problem is proof!



I was referring to the extent of the problem,and the cover up in the Catholic Church....not about individual cases.

JK2006 wrote:
Who cares? Every day another teacher or sports coach or vicar Goes. Every day there are dozens more false allegations, hundreds more exaggerations and a few genuine claims. Why pick on Catholics or Muslims or Moonies? Sort out the lies, punish the guilty, be decent and kind to all sides but mainly, stop equating sex - especially consensual - with violence. Knife crimes involving killing are far more crucial to stop than wanking 50 years ago.

Exactly,well put Doctor king.

What is significant is that in so many different jurisdictions in the world - totally unconnected - verdicts have been given against senior members of this organisation.

And that its leader (Francis) - an honest, brave and pragmatic individual - admits the abuse that occurred, and dismissed some of the individuals who ignored and denied it.

The Pope wouldn't have confirmed the abuse, denials, payments - if it hadn't happened - would he?


Yes, false allegations were undoubtedly made against some innocents - but it's simply illogical to ignore the admissions of the organisation itself.

After so much investigation and acceptance, by the church itself.

Even today, Google provides new information about the activities of the now deceased Bishop Casey, in Ireland.

Those have been verified - inter alia - by the 'celibate' Bishop's son...

And so many other organisations ignored all the abuse too; shocking, isn't it, but no worse in one than in another. Some may still be ignoring it.