Pope resigning

So, by the same token, if priests in the C of E were to rape children and the C of E were to hide this fact and to protect the priests from prosecution, it would have nothing to do with the Archbish who knew about the deception? Or would he have to be held responsible in part?

He was very young when in the Hitler Youth - presumably it was compulsory.

His older brother, also a priest, has admitted to physically abusing choir boys - said he was 'relieved' when corporal punishment was banned, as though he was forced to do it!

Responsible in part but not sure whether they could ever prosecute. Hard evidence of his intent to cover up needed.

I don't think you necessarily have to actually "cover up" anything to be considered complicit, but knowing somethings were happening and failing to take any action with regard to them can be seen as wrong.

Just to add, there is actually a law relating to "failure to protect".

j08 He was the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for some time before he was elected Pope.

Would anybody think that the men involved in child abuse in the 1970's should not be prosecuted because they are old?

Thanks for link. I usually like the Onion. Thought this article was quite funny but a bit unsubtle.

If he were a government minister and it was found there were gross abuses of power in his department, which he was not on top of and curbing, he would be blamed.

JO said last night after Galen's mistype of god for good "Yes. Do away with the middle man. #probablycomecheaper"

I was under the impression that the New Covenant that started with Jesus did just that - swept away the old fossilised hierarchy of priests and instituted a new relationship directly between god and individuals. Its interesting how a new hierarchy arose, and still exists, of humans interpreting a basically very simple message, and putting their own fossilised slant on it.

How has a thread about the resignation of the Pope turned into an attack on the Catholic Church? As I have said on previous threads, what was done in the past cannot be undone, all the Church can do is assure it doesn't happen again and to assist the authorities when they carry out investigations into past abuse.

Many organisations have people who prey on children, Priests, Vicars, Immams, Teachers, Scout Leaders, Youth Workers etc. and yes they must be found and prosecuted but their actions do not negate all the good carried out by the majority of people in those jobs/callings.

Hehe, petallus, if you think that's not subtle, you should try listening to Pat
Condell about the Catholic Church.

Subtle aint in it Pat Condell on Satan as a Catholic.

barrow, because the pope is the head of the Catholic Church. We 'attack' Cameron when the government he leads is incompetent or worse, so why not the leader of the Catholic Church when it is incompetent or worse?

No the baddies to not negate the good that is done, but they do give the institutions a bad name if they are protected from prosecution when crimes have been committed. The pope was in a position to do something about that. He didn't, therefore he was in the wrong.

barrow speaking for myself, some of my relatives are catholics. Nothing against catholics. But the RC church as a powerful organisation is a political issue in many ways. It has an impact on world population. It has an impact on AIDS particularly in Africa. It has an impact on legislation about abortion and divorce affecting women in places such as Ireland. It seeks to influence legislation on things like abortion, in many countries. The issue of covering up abuse has been widespread but nowhere more prevalent and embedded than in the RC church. It is too big an organisation and still too powerful not to be treated as a major political force in the world today.
The pope, as chief executive, is a symbol and a spokesman for all that. Why would we not criticise?

Greatnan I would think that being in the Hitler youth was probably not much of choice in those times, more a survival tactic. I am not defending him just stating that.

Just listened to Pat Cordell. Wow!

There was plenty he said I agree with.

Yes, Jesus would be appalled to see what was being done in his name if he returned.

Yes, if there was such a thing as the devil, he would probably be a high up religious, and charming to boot.

Not sure the persecution of the Jews was entirely due to the church though.

What passion. I am betting Pat was brought up as a Catholic, or a Jew.

Irish Catholic, I think. Don't quote me though.

Harking back to Pat Condell (Satan as a Catholic), am I the only one who feels a bit sorry for the Devil?

Banished from Heaven for eternity just because he questioned the status quo, then being given a really bad press and held responsible for every bad thing that human beings do to each other. Is that fair?

Letter to Head of Recruitment, Vatican City

here

@worthabutchers

Very good

OH I started listening to the Pat Condell thing. Didn't get past the choir boy thing. He's just a twat. #sensationalseekingeejit

" I also once drew stigmata on my hands and face in felt-tip to freak-out my Catholic classmates"

Wow! Wasn't she daring!

Dense (in a good way) witty writing.
Let's face it, popes in the past did some dreadful things - incited people to go to "holy" war on a regular basis for a start. Today's ayatollas are complete lightweights in comparison. In their days as THE global superpower.

Yeah, daring, just like you*J*.

I just don't see the point in "knocking" Catholicism, or Christianity, at all. Nobody has got you over a barrel, making you believe or partake in any way. Why not just leave it?

This Pope thing is bringing out the worst in people. IMHO