Canon Andrew Hindley

A pedophile chooses to go to university then a theological college to access children ? I think not

Annie - why?

Why choose a vocation to have access to children ? I worked in a Cathedral for many years, was a member, lived a five minute
walk away , knew many priests and their families. Priesthood is much more than Sunday Services and visiting parishioners .

There are so many after school activities, the Scout Movement, I was an Akela! one could be involved with many
clubs.

Anniebach

A pedophile chooses to go to university then a theological college to access children ? I think not

I think that that is completely plausible. It is a good job and an able man can do very well. make a good living, get a free house and with no family make signifiant progress if he wishes.

Whats not to like?

I think you underestimate how cunning and manipulative these people can be.

Anniebach

A pedophile chooses to go to university then a theological college to access children ? I think not

I tend to agree.

I can't imagine any priest looking towards minimal wage, and state pension - going to University and theological college to access children. I think one is born with a proclivity towards psedophilia or not.

I’m afraid Norah that most of us can’t imagine anyone doing that just to gain access to children, because we (thankfully) don’t think like paedophiles. But evidence suggests that that’s exactly what many of them do - not necessarily the church, but anything that will give them a veneer of respectability and open access to children in a trusted role. The fact that it’s too sick for us to contemplate only adds to their confidence and ability to get away with it.

There is a good maxim in child protection: be willing to think the unthinkable.

fancythat

^But IS God on the side of bullies and abusers or do they just seem to be getting away with it in this life?^

God, SO is not.

Will answer more fully, when I have more time.

O I know he's not, I was not seriously questioning that, just for people to think about.. I look forward to your answer, when you have time.

I do think these people think no one knows and they forget who sees all.

I can quite easily accept that someone with an attraction to children would hide behind the church/school, anything that gives them a trusted role.

Big difference between a school teacher and a priest,

A school teacher has the power to shape a child, for good or to damage them. A priest too.

So even though there is a big difference in vocation, the power and the responsibility are there.

To nurture or destroy.

To plant seeds of hope or to steal it.

To build a future, or blight it.

OnwardandUpward

A school teacher has the power to shape a child, for good or to damage them. A priest too.

So even though there is a big difference in vocation, the power and the responsibility are there.

This!

Thankyou Marydoll

Anniebach

Why choose a vocation to have access to children ? I worked in a Cathedral for many years, was a member, lived a five minute
walk away , knew many priests and their families. Priesthood is much more than Sunday Services and visiting parishioners .

There are so many after school activities, the Scout Movement, I was an Akela! one could be involved with many
clubs.

I don't believe people choose a vocation to use it to abuse, but that in the vocation somehow the power goes to their head. This isn't only about children because adults can be bullied and abused too, by anyone of any vocation who is abusive. When it is clergy it is more shocking. It's even more shocking that they're protected.

You are right about the clubs. As a teen, my friend's Dad was accused of abusing boys in a well known Christian boys organisation. I never knew if it was true, but yes plenty of voluntary organisations where this could happen without choosing it as a profession.

Are the Clergy protected ?

Anniebach

Are the Clergy protected ?

I think in many cases yes, they have been - easier to try to sweep things under the carpet than face them head on. There's a very interesting article here about the CofE's failings:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5n2542q82o

fancythat

^But IS God on the side of bullies and abusers or do they just seem to be getting away with it in this life?^

God, SO is not.

Will answer more fully, when I have more time.

Psalms 37:1-9
"Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb".

Psalm 12
Verses 5-7 express how God will arise to defend those who are being preyed upon by the wicked.
1 Corinthians 6:9 - Bible Gateway
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor ad...

Bible Gateway
Day 370: When the faithful vanish - Psalm 12
23 May 2021 — ... (vs 5-7). He believed that God would not be silent forever. The Holy Spirit leads the writer to express what God Hi...

Bethel Church Ripon
Psalms 37:1-9 Share - Bible.com
Psalms 37:1-9 American Standard Version (ASV) Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious against them that wo...
Bible.com

Psalms 37:27-29
27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed ; the offspring of the wicked will perish.

I can find two or three more Bible verses on the same lines, if anyone wanted some more. I was going to answer the question myself, but have found it easier to use some Bible verses.

Bible verses often have to be taken in context.
So I found it harder to answer the question than I had anticipated.
Sometimes you can know the answers in your head. But find it hard to express.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Psalm 37:1-10 ESV
Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. ...

Revelation 21:8 ESV
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Luke 16:15 ESV
And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Romans 12:17-21 ESV
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 25:46 ESV
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Romans 12:19 ESV
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.

That doesn't help children or vulnerable people in the here and now, though.

I dont believe, so that has no relevance to me. With regard to keeping children safe I would prefer to put my faith in adequate safeguarding.

MissAdventure

That doesn't help children or vulnerable people in the here and now, though.

No, those verses do not.

I perhaps should have linked to posts by OutwardsandUpwards above.

Apologies for the confusion.

Galaxy

I dont believe, so that has no relevance to me. With regard to keeping children safe I would prefer to put my faith in adequate safeguarding.

Well said!

I also realise those verses may be of no help to non believers.

Too easy to quote scripture, those verses applied to homosexuality before 1967