The Pope

I do not believe men join the priesthood, spend several years in a seminary to have access to children .

The reason for celibacy is the priest can put his parishioners first, a man with a wife and children will find this cannot always be. So celibacy works for some but joining the priesthood , studying with fellow students, the early years pass and the loneliness of celibacy, sexual emotions become stronger , why children I don’t know, I don’t know why fathers sexually abuse their own children, so I ask is this desire for sexual activity as homosexuality , when this was illegal it made no difference

I am not comparing homosexuals with child abusers.

I know of someone who was a priest but left due to a woman who he married. Had children. He became a social worker later holding a very senior position. All of this in the 80s. In his opinion there wasn't a children's home where abuse did not take place, not just religious based ones. Now I am not saying all abuse was of a sexual nature. He became a leader in closing of children's homes and advocated good fostering instead. No children's homes left in any area he once worked in. There must be loads of people who were aware of what happened way back.

Annapops, I used to think as you did about allowing priests to marry but unfortunately the bigger picture is that abusers are in every walk of life, not just the priesthood. The priests who would marry are unlikely to be the abusers anyway. It’s a sad fact that where is access to children, abusers will be attracted, eg schools, scouts, first aid groups, youth clubs, ALL churches, (not just the Catholic Church), etc.

I am Catholic with issues. My sister, over 40 years ago along with her youth group, reported on their much loved curate at the time, for his closeness to a 15 year old girl in their group. They met with the Bishop and were subsequently disregarded, (the said priest was moved on).
In my diocese some 20 plus years ago my son's friend
at school was abused along with others. He was an an altar boy in his local church. The priest was sent to prison I believe but I have no idea where he is now. Hidden away as a monk somewhere perhaps?
As a teacher in a Catholic primary my next encounter was when one of my male colleagues was, " touched up" by our then parish priest after a successful Ofsted inspection and asked at the same time if he was gay. Again the said priest was "moved".
This is my experience in what I always felt was my small world, so exactly how widespread is this abuse?
My answer? Allow Catholic priests to marry and attract people to the role with the life experience and fulfilment to bring true heart and love of God, rather than some warped disguise of who they really are to fulfil an abnormal need.
I know too there are some very genuine religious priests and nuns out there but while questions go unanswered, unresolved and disregarded what hope is there? Without the abuse of so many fully recognised and dealt with, the Catholic church (and others) is in very serious trouble.

Yes! Looking forward to it!

Yes Skye - and the lion will lie down with the lamb

PECS, I agree.

I can only speak for myself, thoughts of entering a convent can mean a battle within one’s own mind and heart , it certaintly isn’t ‘I think I would like to be nun

annep, I think the existence of God is quite compatible with the big bang theory. Because for a big bang, you have to have a big banger! Or to put it another way:

- The universe began to exist (according to the big bang theory). It hasn’t always been there - it had a beginning.
- Whatever begins to exist has a cause.
- Therefore the universe has a cause.

Space, time and matter only began to exist when the universe began to exist. Therefore a being that caused the universe to come into existence would have to be outside space and time (spaceless and timeless) and not made of physical matter (immaterial). This sounds like God.

As for love, beauty, pain, cruelty and death: here’s what the Bible says about them:

When God made the world, it was perfect. There was no brokenness, no illness, no death, no pain. God made people in his image. This is why there is still love and beauty.

It all went wrong when people decided to rebel against God instead of trusting him. This broke the relationship between them and God. As a result, sin, natural disasters, illness and death entered the world. This is why there is pain, cruelty and death.

God loves people and did not want us to be separated from him. So he provided a way for whoever chooses to come back into relationship with him, through coming to earth himself and paying the penalty for the wrongdoing that separates each individual from him. One day he will come a second time and there will be an end to all the brokenness and mess.

But there will also be judgement for all who are still separated from him - who have not put their trust in Jesus.

I think some jobs such as police, teaching etc, that can be viewed as contolling /power based or caring / helpful, attract exactly those different types. Priests / nuns the same. A few people possibly choose a job/ way of life because they want the power & control it can bring whereas others choose the role for the more altruistic aspects.

Very common annep.

I didn't know that Anniebach. It was so very sad. I'm glad its not like that now.

Best friend didnt report her. someone else. The thought of 12 children!! lol.. ( apologies to anyone who has. I do admire you!)

Annep You are right about perspective in NI !!
BTW I have 6 children , luckily I was strong as a horse and thick skinned or it could have been 12

I find it hard not to believe in a higher power. It seems more credible than a big bang theory. I know there is love and beauty. But also pain and cruelty and death. I can't make sense of it.

How on earth could anyone report the best friend to her priest for using contraception?

Both RC and Protestant girls were sent from their homes when pregnant, same in England and Wales

I live in N.I. In the 60s my mums best friend had a heart condition and was not allowed to use contraception. She was reported to the local priest for using it. She died very young after having five children. The church did exercise a lot of control and make people fearful. Friends of mine left the church because of this.
I don't know how much this has changed. I do have good RC friends who are really nice committed people who do a lot of good in their communities. The thing I find hard to accept is that the abuse reports were denied/ ignored by the church. Regarding abuse of pregnant girls the parents would have been greatly influenced by the churchs attitude. However not everyone will agree with what I have said. In N.I. everyone has their own perspective.

By accident we picked up an Irish radio station this afternoon and heard the end of the Mass with the Pope. Then abuse victims who had met the Pope to talk about their experiences were interviewed. One woman, through an interpreter, had told the Pope of her experiences in the industrial schools and the laundries. Incredibly he knew nothing about these, had no idea what she was talking about, it all had to be explained to him. I would have thought this was something that he would have been told about in the preparations for his visit as the laundry scandals were/are a huge part of the abuse meted out in Ireland.

So disgraceful how these people were treated I am so angry I doubt that the pope will do anything to help with the situation, he has seen some of the young men who were abused and asked for their forgiveness but don’t think it goes far enough.

I didn’t really mean to point out anything about Catholics I very clearly said right from the beginning that I feel all formal religions follow the same pattern
I also didn’t suggest that the Vatican was a religion Skye but it does belongs to the richest Western religion and brings in billions of euros, it is very big business

JacquiG, I think that’s a great idea!

I’m shocked by the posts about priests calling at people’s houses for their ‘dues’. I would call myself a lapsed catholic but grew up as a catholic before and during the troubles in Belfast and I never in my life saw or heard of priests either ‘doing the rounds’ of houses or collecting money. The only time the priest ever visited anyone’s house was by invitation either to help or for a meal.
I was also educated by nuns in two different high schools and can’t say a bad word about them. Yes, there were ones I didn’t particularly like and some very strict but we got a great education and they genuinely cared for our welfare in the terrible situation we lived in.
You can’t tar all nuns and priests with the same brush. There are bad apples everywhere in every walk of life, in every religion, in every town and country.

Not my view, BlueBelle, that’s all from the Bible.

The Vatican isn’t a religion, though. Not saying it doesn’t own a lot of valuables, but it’s just one part of Catholicism, not the whole of Christianity. Can’t speak for other religions.

Your local Catholic priest lives in a nice house with a car and housekeeper, but according to this article he earnt less than £10,000 a year in 2011, probably not a lot more now.
www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2011/February-2011/Pay-Check

I think the C of E ministers earn around £20K, plus house. But when they retire they lose the house.

Indeed bijou

I do believe in being honest and thoughtful for others.