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Pope to Irish: Child abuse by clergy ‘a mystery’
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Pope Benedict XVI told Irish Catholics on Sunday it is a mystery why priests and other church officials abused children entrusted in their care, undermining faith in the church “in an appalling way.”
By describing the decades of child abuse in Catholic parishes, schools and church-run institutions and parishes in Ireland as a “mystery,” the pontiff could further anger rank-and-file faithful in Ireland.
Benedict commented on the scandals of sexual abuse and cover-ups by church hierarchy in a pre-recorded video message for an outdoor Mass attended by 75,000 Catholics, many from overseas, in Ireland’s largest sports stadium. Ireland’s prime minister and president attended the Mass, the final event of a Eucharistic Congress aimed at shoring up flagging faith.
The weeklong Eucharistic Congress, held by the Vatican every four years in a different part of the world, took place against a backdrop of deep anger over child abuse cover-ups and surveys showing declining weekly Mass attendance in Ireland, where church and state were once tightly entwined.
“How are we to explain the fact that people who regularly received the Lord’s body and confessed their sins in the sacrament of Penance have offended in this way?” said the pope, referring to church staff who abused children.
“It remains a mystery,” he said. “Yet evidently their Christianity was no longer nourished by joyful encounter with Jesus Christ. It had become merely a matter of habit.”
Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said the church in Ireland is facing a grave fight for survival.
“Your forbears in the church in Ireland knew how to strive for holiness and constancy in their personal lives,” Benedict said in his message. [More]
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[...] we will no longer have to endure the Pope’s clumsy and offensive statements — like how the clergy abuse in Ireland “remains a mystery.” Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like [...]
Hey, Tony, where are you? I miss you. Well, I guess you must be sleeping — I think you made another middle-of-the-night post early this morning.
Jim, if you contact the Catholic Human Services in your area they will be able to provide you with studies done by Catholic men who have not been brainwashed. I have worked in the human service field for over forty years, but I don’t think this is the platform for me to offer information.
Sorry, J.O., they won’t be able to offer any evidence. Here’s the reason: think about it — how could you prove the motivation was power and control? You can’t — that always will be an inference. Indeed, your mantra has been the aceepted garbage in the social sciences field for the last 50 years — but that doesn’t make it right. I repeat, there is no evidence currently existing, nor can any be produced, to support your contention. All you can offer are authors who infer power and control as causative; but, they have not proved it. Think, J.O., think for yourself — don’t just accept what you’ve been fed by the lesbians and emasculated men.
Yeah J.O. listen to the bully conservatives with big testicles.
Jim, how can you advise others to think for themselves when all you offer is the party line used over and over again. Your responses are far from truth – your arguments lack any substance and you refuse to engage in debate you simply shoot everything and everyone down. You exhibit many of the tendencies that you say don’t exist.
So, Concerned, here is my offer again: provide me with the reference of ANY study ANYWHERE, IN ANY JOURNAL that shows power and control to be the motivator of sex crimes. I’m not asking for the opinions of butchy, short-haired, mean-spirited, men-hating lesbian feminists or emasculated men (who also hate men) — I’m asking for empirical evidence of that fact. The very fact that you think such evidence exists shows how weak your mind is. If you actually stopped to think for a minute, you would appreciate the impossibility of proving that position.
And, Concerned, with regard to me refusing “to engage in debate” — well, I’m not sure what you’re defining as debate. I certainly would define my posts as part of a debate. And, with regard to my arguments lacking “substance” — are you kidding me? It is your side that has no substance. You make a claim that power and control are at the heart of sex crimes. When I ask you to produce your empirical evidence, you of course can’t, because none exists. It is you who lack substance. I don’t doubt that you could produce lesbians and other “feminists” who support your position — but their position is not based on any hard science, just their twisted opinions.
Jim – over 90% of sexual abuse cases occur in the home by a parent, sibling, or close relative. There are plenty of well done studies that show that a main component in the problem is power and control. Research and you will find the studies – many done by MEN.
Everyone – Very poor choice of the word “mystery” by the pope. Also take a look at the rest of his speech to the Eucharistic Congress. I wonder what the year of faith will really turn out to be? I have enjoyed reading your comments. Glad people are not afraid to discuss.
Sexual abuse in the home in no way proves power and control as being the motivators. Any amateur could easily see that most of the abuse occurs in the home because the person has easy access to a victim.
Also, the fact that research is done by men proves nothing — most academic men have been brainwashed by the lesbian feminists of the late 20th century, and they actually think they are being gallant when the reiterate the assertions of the feminists.
And again, I ask you to produce the reference to one study that shows power and control are the issues. Frankly, this is simply an inference by the investigator; it is simply impossible to prove the power and control theory. Just think, J.O., before you respond to my post — how on Earth could it even be possible to prove a power and control causation? Again, the researcher would have to draw that inference, but it is impossible to prove. And again, the fact that most abuse occurs in the home proves primarily that the issue is access and difficulty being detected.
So, anyone who thinks psychology is sceientific hopefully can now see that it is highly political. The national association is being run by gay-friendly feminists and emasculated men. As Bo Derek once said, there are no real men left in Hollywood except for Errol Flynn. Well, she should have extended that to the social sciences — there are no real men there either.
Please, let me off this world. I can see why St. Paul wanted to die — if he lived today, he would have wanted to die even more than he did then. To live in a world populated by emasculated men, lesbian women, and a secular / atheist culture is almost too much. Then, we have angry, immature babies like Recovering Catholic, Hanging On By My Fingernails, and Tony, who think they are the true Catholics when in fact all they are doing is tearing at the fabric of the Church. If I could go somewhere to an island where none of you could come, I’d go right now.
I would say that Paul must have had a hell of a time living with guys like Peter who wanted the law of circumcision for Gentile converts.
You know, guys who put the letter of the law before the spirit of the law.
John 14:15, Jesus speaking: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” That apparently would get construed by some as coming from the mouth of one advocating adhering to the letter of the law. Since we know something by its fruits, we can know how much one loves Jesus by how closely one follows His commands.
Jim, is it your intention to comment on every comment eveyone makes on this site?
Are you employed by Cathnews?
Is it there intention to turn this site into a conservative website?
No, Tony, I’m going to comment only on outrageous posts — which is why I almoast universally respond to your posts.
I consider yours to be the most outrageous myopic, close mindided, mean spirited BS.
Thanks, Tony — now you’re raging!
and many would most likely help you pack – out of Christian love of course
Thank you, Concerned. We’d both be happy — me eternally, you until you are smacked in the face with the error of your ways.
St. Peter Damian in the early 12th century was sent by the Pope all over Europe to urge the Bishops to act against child rape being committed by clerics of that day . He called it spiritual murder and spiritual incest yet the hierarchy was unmoved .
Aloysia — your comment is inconsistent. If the pope sent the saint, then obviously he was moved. Also, give me your evidence. Twelveth century was before the printing press. Today, the NY Times distorts stories in the 21st century; so, whoever you were reading obviously could have had the same political agenda. Satan hates the Church, and he will do everything he can to get people to attack it.
My apologies for these multiple posts, but this website is being difficult; I’ve now discovered about four or five words it will not accept, none of which are vulgar or incendiary; like, for example, the founding document of this country; and, another word for sexual purity. So, I had to break up my lengthy comment to see where the problem was.
Aloysia — I Googled St. Peter Damian, and at this address:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11764a.htm
called Catholic En-cyclo-pedia,
no mention is made of what you claim. For such an egregious situation, you would think the En-cyclo-pedia would mention it.
Now, I’m sure you’ll claim that your source is correct, but again I assert you have no way of knowing if your source is accurate.
Now, I’m sure you’ll claim that your source is correct,
but again I assert you have no way of knowing if your source is accurate.
again I assert you have no way of knowing if your source is accurate — how amusingly and unself-consciously you use this remark. You have no way knowing if your sources are accurate either.
Carl — here are three differencs. (1) I referenced the source of my information — Aloysia did not; (2) my source appears to be credible; (3) as I said in my post, the claim of Aloysia is so stupendous that it would certainly be something that would appear in documenting the life of the saint. Having said that, I agree that I don’t know for sure the accuracy of my source; but I have offered reasons to believe it (go re-read my posts to refresh your memory — if you even read them the first time). Aloysia just posts some outrageous allegations with no support for his position.
At a minumum, you’d have to say no source is completely credible; therefore, why make the allegations Aloysia did if there is no credibility? I am not the one who made a specific claim; all I said was that Aloysia cannot support his claim. And essentially, Carl, you agree with me — his claim is not supportable.
Carl — another way of saying it is this: Aloysia made allegations, so the burden of proof is on him to support his position. My assertion was simply that he did not produce credible support for his position. And, you essentially agree with that. I do not have to prove him wrong — rather, he must prove his case, and he has not, at least not at this point.
The man who wrote a book in the 1990s called “Hitler’s Pope” claimed that Pius XII was complicit with the Nazis. Even non-Christian historians panned that book as being grossly inaccurate. So, here’s the point: if that author couldn’t get it right just 50 years after the fact, one must wonder if the author you’re quoting got it right centuries later — especially with the historical hatred of the Catholic Church. So, Aloysia, my conclusion: you have not made your point.
In private industry, we all get annual reviews wherein everybody we’ve worked with fill out an evaluation about us and our work during the year. Enlighten me. Do the priests, bishops and cardinals get annual reviews? Who reviews them? Every lay person who has had contact with any priest during the year should be allowed to fill in an evaluation, as well. The evaluator’s name would be signed on the annual review in the interests of full disclosure. Copies of the evaluation would be sent to several different places so that no “secret system” could shred it.
OMG, Recovering, I am so glad I do not work where you do. If I did, I would quit. Such a system does not allow for leadership, just consensus — and consensus can be completely wrong.
After all, Adam and Eve reached consensus about eating from the forbidden tree.
If the pope can’t figure out how this is happening then maybe he shouldn’t be pope? This is a classic misdirect. He knows damm well how this is happening, has happened and will continue to happen as long as he and the other clergy put their heads in the sand and cover their ears. This is the most disgusting, incredulously stupid thing he has ever said. He truly cannot be the vicar of Christ.
Yes, it’s incredulous how a supposedly a genius-level thinker can earn a doctorate degree in theology, take all the psychological courses required to rise up in the church ranks, know and approve of the “secret system” put in place by earlier popes, and yet claim not to understand this “mystery.”
Recovering — since you are “Recovering” from the Truth, why don’t you just leave the Church? You can’t stand it anyway. All of that anger and unforgiveness is not good for you — or anyone else. Your sins hurt us all.
No No Recovering, don’t leave the church, continue to stay here and dialogue please.
You have as much right to be here and coment as anyone else.
All opinions are not equally valid, Tony. And Recovering is just an angry, unforgiving person who finds it easier to blame others (read: the Church) for her discontent and problems than for her to take responsiblity for getting past her unforgiveness and anger.
The comment section is open to comments from anyone, Even a tyrant like yourself.
Thanks, Tony. Actually, even people like you would be happy in a country run properly by “tyrants” like me.
So, then, Thomas, you are calling the pope a liar; because the quote in this article from the pope clearly implies he did not know. I do not believe the pope is a liar. If I thought he was, I might consider leaving the Church. Maybe that’s what you should consider doing.
A mystery, right? Is that in the same class as the Incarnation, Resurrection, etc.? I remember being taught not to ask questions about these doctrines since they are all a “mystery.”
So… the sex abuse – and WORSE the cover-up – is to be accepted a mystery too? Is that so that thinking, feeling people won’t question? HAH! That’s really what the hierarchy would like!!!! Sorry, I don’t go with “mystery!”
There is no “mystery” here! The real reason sexual predators prey on the vulnerable is not because of sex, but because of a need for “POWER & CONTROL” in a most condescending and humiliating manner. The Catholic Church needs to do intensive psychological testing of potential seminary students to weed this type of personality trait out and NEVER let these perverts into the church in the first place. The church’s “secrecy” procedure has got to be replaced with complete transparency. The “secret system” has been what has allowed these sexual predators to operate in the past, because if found out, they were protected by the church in that all they got was a slap on the wrist and then were moved around again and again to harm others.
Recovering you are totall correct……….
P.S. If the pope is really concerned and wants to clean up the ranks of priests, he will give these personality trait tests to all presently-employed priests, as well.
That’s garbage, Recovering. You cannot produce one shred of evidence to support your contention that sexual perpetration involves power and control other than the ramblings of a bunch of lesbian feminists.
As an addendum: the lesbian feminists have no evidence for their position, either, of course — they’re just a bunch of politically motivated men-haters who also hate genuine femininity as well — they tell women that babies hold them back, when in fact this is exactly what real women want. So, Recovering, cite your empirical research (journal, volume number, page number) supporting your contention. Remember, I am asking for EMPIRICAL research, not garbage political invective from lesbians.
Ask Bubba in pristion if sexual perpetration involves power and contol. AsK Bubba how he treats his “bitch.”
Yeah, Tony, now there’s empirical evidence for that position. What a complete joke. I could care less what any one individual says, in prison or out. These lesbian feminists have been making this claim for at least 40 years, but they cannot provide one piece of empirical research to support their garbage conclusion.
Any guy who has been in prison can tell you about Bubba and penetration and power and control. You don’t have to hear it from a lesbian.
Well, the guy can tell me that he was overpowered. That is not the question, however. The question is, what is the motivation? Is it power and control, or is it sexual gratification? I contend it is sexual gratification, and that power and control are necessary to achieve this objective. How much evidence do I have for my position? At least as much as the short-haired, masculine lesbians.
The fact that the evidence you offer is Bubba in prision makes my point. If that is your evidence, you have none. It is true that rape often involves force — but the idea is not that the person is doing it for power, but rather is doing it for sexual reasons, and power is necessary to achieve the sexual objectives. I will concede, though, that the very rare psychopaths do get off on intimidating their victims.
Mystery?! This just shows how out of touch and self-centered this man is – wow! I am totally blown away -
Hey Francis — the pope can’t be everywhere at once. Obviously, he had no personal knowledge of what was going on in Ireland. If he did, he would not have used the term “mystery.” Also, didn’t you see what Benedict is quoted as saying? The situation is “appalling.” Why don’t you try to be fair? Your only interest is in attacking the Church. If you yourself were abused, go get some therapy, forgive your perpetrators, and get over it.
Have to disagree with this – as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger – Pope Benedict had a great deal of knowledge about many of the cases in Ireland, and around the world. Many of us are not simply interested in attacking the Church – we are concerned about restoring trust to OUR Church.
Well, Concerned, then of course I have to disagree with you. If as Cardinal Ratzinger he was aware of these cases, then his statement referenced in this article is a lie. And, I don’t believe he lies.
You really tink he had no idea?! Wow -
That’s right, Francis — I do not believe he lies. If you believe the head of your church lies, I suggest you find another one. That truly is a sad state of affairs. The man the Holy Spirit selects to lead His Church engages in Satanic behavior (lying)? Get real. Your cynicism is making you (and me) sick.
And, to clarify my last comment — if he did know, then the statement he just issued (represented in this article) is a lie. Since I do not believe he lies, I therefore believe he had absolutely no idea.
The mystery is how the leaders allowed this horrible evil to be swept under the rug and not reported to the authorities.
The mystery is how the leaders of the Church were more interested in preserving the old boys club and moving around the pedi files.
The mystery is hoe a well educated
Tony — well, for once you’re agreeing with the pope. This is exactly what he was saying — it is a mystery to him as well. Your knee-jerk reaction to this article is totally predictable, and reveals your gross anti-Church bias.