“The future Pope Benedict XVI refused to defrock an American priest who confessed to molesting numerous children and even served prison time for it, simply because the cleric wouldn’t agree to the discipline. The case provides the latest evidence of how changes in church law under Pope John Paul II frustrated and hamstrung U.S. bishops struggling with an abuse crisis that would eventually explode.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press from court filings in the case of the late Rev. Alvin Campbell of Illinois show Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, following church law at the time, turned down a bishop’s plea to remove the priest for no other reason than the abuser’s refusal to go along with it.”
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So, the rule of ‘God’ over the rule of law… even in the 20th and 21st Centuries?
The Catholic Church never ceases to disappoint and sadden me. At what point will the law bring these people to account? This situation has persisted for to long.
I know there are good priest out there who do some wonderful work but why do they align themselves with such corruption and disgusting lack of respect for human rights?
Pope Benedict can Catho-XXXXXX my bXXXs.
- aw cmon now! keep it clean ladies. – Phillis
Actually, that article from AP was found to be a complete hatchet job. I had a look into the story & this ‘smoking gun’ was nothing of the sort – it had NOTHING to do w/the sex abuse case. Granted, it was brought up in the letter – but the letter wasnt about defrocking. Rather it was regarding DISPENSATION TO MARRY.
The pope can, but doesnt defrock priests – that responsibility & decision is left to the Bishop of that particular diocease. Much like a CEO wouldnt fire/discipline every employee, but rather area directors/managers would.
The pope wasnt refusing defrocking – but refusing the dispensation to marry. A totally different thing, of course those w/a PREJUDICE & BIGOTY towards the Catholic church would twist it to read that. Classic case of what u dont know u make up.
- I take on board your point the media do seem to have taken sides in a way – AP is usually reliable – however this was Ratzinger’s job to be in charge of defrocking at the time? Hence the term “future” pope. The Vatican’s own legal defence has said it has improved this situation since – http://goo.gl/XPyw – Phillis
Correction: My comment is related to another case that the Associated Press had reported on – I thought this case was the same as the one that I was aware of. My apologies. However, my point remains the same.
I would advise other (and should learn myself!!!) to look into these stories further instead of reacting. The case I was referring to was regarding a letter from Pope Benedict being a ‘smoking gun’ on defrocking of a priest (in california i think) was indeed a hatchet job, and later proven to be twisted and taken out of context.
This hardly is helpful to resolve this horrible chapter in the Church, when the press twist the news for sensational headlines? The misinformation in some reports only serve the media outlet’s interests, not the interests of the victims
I found a cool scripture recently, this story reminded me of it. I am not sure what Mr Brown’s policy is for religious thought, so I will keep my comments free of any denominational bias (as much as that is possible, right??)
Revelation 17. 15-18 speaks about a prostitute whom I believe might pre-figure certain churches in the end of days. She is killed by a beast, but then verse 17 says “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. ”
Then verse 18 says “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”
Draw you own conclusions here… I just don’t think God is “sitting by” and watching what is happening in the world in his name.
and apparently if he comes to England he would be arrested by law, for defending a peadophile