venting about the powers that be....

[glo]

I am so disgusted today, that the Bishop's of the Vatican have decided that CHurches DO NOT have to report allegations of sexual abuse to civil authorities. I am speechless.....actually I'm not, I just can't say here what I want to say...

Just that...what the hell are they thinking? :mad:

[jldriscoll]

I was trying to think of what to say...........this is all I could come up with..............:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Mamu]

A sad day for people and their families who want to be involved in the church.

[becka]

Although I am not a Catholic I have always had a great deal of respect for the Catholic church until recently. I just cannot fathom what the heck they are thinking? Why should pedophiles be protected?

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[bumcat]

Unbelievable, but we actually do have the power!
Money talks, stop supporting them and I bet you they will change their stand real quick.

[Tony-NJ]

I just cannot fathom what the heck they are thinking? Why should pedophiles be protected?
unbelievable

[Tony-NJ]

I just cannot fathom what the heck they are thinking? Why should pedophiles be protected?
unbelievable

[EROS]

DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!! .........THAT Dog won't hunt; American Catholics will NOT put up with such an outrage

[amid chaos]

It speaks volumes about what the church thinks of it's parishioners.

[browneyes]

Originally posted by glo
Just that...what the hell are they thinking? :mad:
They're thinking of money and power. Not about innocent victims.:(

[snoopy]

As a semi-lapsed Catholic raised in the Catholic church and in Catholic schools, this makes me very sad. :(

[Cindy B]

Sad state of affairs that is, when the people involved can get "protection" from the law.

No one should have "immunity" from breaking the law, regardless of the whatever occupation they choose for thier life.


Say, a police officer breaks the law, they would be prosecuted. Yes, it would not be pretty, but the prosecution would occur.

Why should someone that breaks the law be protected? I don't understand that at all.

[CrazyBoutDisney]

Now you know why this baptized Catholic who attended Catholic schools all the way thru 9th grade is now a staunch Methodist!! The stupidity of some people with power is astounding! How can they sleep at night knowing they are protecting evil????
Beth

[Dream]

What a sad sad day. I never would have thought all those years ago as I wore my "catholic school girl plaid" and said my rosary faithfully that my church would come to this. We are looking for a new church home.

[CookieGVB]

This puts the onus squarely on the parishioners...and the families of the victims. A sad state, indeed.

On the other hand, I'm sure most families would only be TOO happy to report those transgressions to civil authorities. If the church won't take care of these pedophiles, they'll have to deal with Bubba in the Big House.

Then there's always the Big Guy...I'm sure he'll have a special place for them, too. :mad:

[Grog]

CHurches DO NOT have to report allegations of sexual abuse to civil authorities

I always thought the law required that stuff like this be reported. If someone knows about a crime, and doesn't report it, doesn't that make them some kind of an accesory? If I'm wrong, will someone please enlighten me :confused:

[glo]

This will not affect Massachusetts, as there is civil laws that require it. IN some states it is not. I guess that it is that priest confidentiality thing that can cause the loop hole. I think this is sick though.

[gemmie214]

Originally posted by glo
This will not affect Massachusetts, as there is civil laws that require it. IN some states it is not. I guess that it is that priest confidentiality thing that can cause the loop hole. I think this is sick though.

I agree, it is beyond sick. I find it hard to believe that those who make these calls, those who we should be able to look up to are behaving in a way that would make Jesus proud:(

[The Mystery Machine]

Please help me understand this...

If my child was molested by a priest I would call the police and demand justice.
So are you telling me that if I went to the police and reported the priest, the police would say "sorry we can't do anything about this?"

Is this what this decision means???

[Barb]

I've always known there was a double standard in the Catholic Church. I saw it at a very early age. How sad and embarassing. I am ashamed to say I am Catholic. :( :( :mad: :mad: :mad:

[glo]

No you can report it to the authorities and they will be prosecuted. WHat it does mean is that if someone reports it to the CHurch they are not bound to report it to the authorities. If a priest finds out that another priest has molested someone they do not have to report it.

[nativetxn]

Very disturbing :(

[gemmie214]

Originally posted by glo
No you can report it to the authorities and they will be prosecuted. WHat it does mean is that if someone reports it to the CHurch they are not bound to report it to the authorities. If a priest finds out that another priest has molested someone they do not have to report it.


I wonder what would happen if the priest was also a school employee as well. Would he still be a mandatory reporter or would his "priestness" protect him?

I also wonder since Cardinal Law signs the employee checks and runs the Catholic Schools could he be considered a mandatory repoter? Such as in The Catholic Memorial cases...does that mean he "broke the law" . I was going to say something very sarcastic here but really what is the point:rolleyes: :( :mad:

[zurgswife]

I'm appalled also....but I truely wonder how many currently practicing Catholics will step away from their relegion to protest this decision.....


I am not Catholic....just a bystander....

[kdibattista]

I am actually ashamed to be a Catholic right now. The church will never, ever get another dime out of me!!!

[WDWHound]

Sigh, I know they are trying to be forgiving, but this is just wrong. Children must be protected and the priests that do this need to be proscecuted.