Will the Catholic church's cover-up never end?

Paedophiles will not be attracted to the priesthood by the celibacy rule but by the fact that they are presented with lots of opportunity and plenty of ways to cover up (or indeed be covered-up-for, as we have seen). The power of "the cloth" is part of the package.

ah but its the connections that count elegran and ducking and weaving on GN builds millions of new ones.

You'll have to be quick, it is deteriorating at a dreadful rate. Millions of little grey cells get lost every day.

I want some of your grey matter, Elegran

There is a saying that when a man marries his mistress it creates a vacancy.

When the child who has been abused is no longer a child, a vacancy is created to be filled by another child. The previous one becomes redundant, and can no longer be "re-employed" in the earlier capacity because they are too old. so they have difficullty "retraining" for a normal relationship and resort to copying their former lover - abusing another generation of children.

Sex offenders who elevate the child they abuse to the status of an adult with mature emotions and ability to consent are more likely to have adult relationships, but paedophiles who are only interested in children because they are children will have no interest in an adult relationship, although plenty are known to have hidden their proclivities by faking an adult relationship. Paedophile priests are neither heterosexual men with adult tastes, nor homosexuals with adult tastes, both of which would presumably benefit from being allowed to marry or have a civil partnership, if that were permitted. Of course, celibacy could be the lifestyle of choice, whatever their particular sexual preference, then paedophiles would not get in any trouble at all. It is perfectly possible to practise abstinence, but takes lengthy treatment and practice once a paedophile has started offending.

it is not mutually exclusive to have a 'regular' sex life and also be a paedophile so being 'allowed' to have a regular sex life may not reduce peadophilia amongst priests.

Doubt whether it was meant offensively miceElf - when has a background in working with offenders and is a wise head.

It wasn't offensive when, just a statement of fact.

Why is it offensive to make the comment that paedophiles who happen to be priests would not have an interest in adults? I apologise if I did say something offensive - perhaps it reads differently to what I intended.

Not flippant, downright offensive in anyone's terms.

No point in allowing those priests to marry if they are paedophiles who are sexually attracted to children. Not unless the age of consent was removed altogether! Apologies for being flippant

There are several laws like conspracy, accessory, aid and abet, pervert the course of justice. The new one planned in Ireland and Australia will cover priests not reporting offences heard in the confessional box, and church leaders covering abuse (which could be addressed via pervert justice). Many Irish cathollc priests have announced that they will defy this law!

Is that what used to be called "accessory after the fact" JessM? (It might still be for all I know.)

i think there is a law that can be applied to people who collude in law breaking is there not?

Jadey Judges don't make the law; they simply apply it.

The problem is that these priests that offend in this way do not get punished enough.

If I was a Judge and I was faced with a priest that hurt someone he would get life because if you are in a trusted position and you act in that manner you deserve to be severly punished, but they are being allowed to get away with it.

If they were severly punished then maybe just maybe other priests would be too afraid to do the same.

I would also make it law that if you attempt to cover up such behaviour then you will be equally punished.

Sorry state of affairs!!!!!

Indeed. But the Vatican isn't the church. The church is made up for the most part of the laity who form its membership. The Spirit is at work in the church in many ways. Many of us would say that is principally where church members are working towards the liberation of the poor, in the first, second or third world. Benedict himself said that at times it seemed as if Christ was absent. I think it's pretty clear what he was referring to.

I must stress again that, like many other members, I do not detest any individuals on account of their religious affiliation. I detest the way the Christian churches have become so rich and powerful and so far removed from the teachings of Christ.
I am aware that many believers do great good in the world - of course, so do many unbelievers, and I think that good people will do good works whether or not they belong to any faith.
I am afraid the example of the 'liberation' priests and nuns in South America is not a good one for the reputation of the Vatican which has often been critical of any political action by its clergy.

Oh dear depressing reading. Very valid point lily gran beng celibate does not cause child abuse Saville springs to mind.

I was brought up strict catholic in days when homosexuality was a crime and must admit while I agree being married will not stop an evil child abuser I do feel pressure must be on with sexual frustration with celibate priests maybe I am wrong but feel time come to let them marry.

I abhor some of the changes the fact that thousands abortions performed daily on healthy foetus but do feel in 2013 let them marry.
Sorry abortion not on this thread bu totally in agreement with Catholic Church on this one.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard

just for your information!

I thought the ant-gay 'priest' in the US recently discovered to have had inappropriate relationships with boys was from an Evangelical church. Will go and look it up.

Evangelicals tend to be more 'charismatic' and often 'independent' from established churches... but not exclusively...

The United Reform Church is a new branding, isn't it? It used to be the Congregationalist church until it merged with the Presbyterians. So quite settled and traditional in its way? Been around a while - not that that proves anything!

The Evangelistic, often fundamentalist, churches, the ones where people KNOW they are right and have all the answers, can be the scary ones. Maybe they offer security in their bigotry. And, when you think about it, does that not reflect the stance of the RC church over the centuries?

Which are the evangelical churches Lillygran?

United Reform isn't at all male dominated. Or repressed. Very forward looking.

Exactly my point - they either respond to liberalism by going with the flow or they finish up becoming more fundamentalist - Islam was exactly what I had in mind.