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Sexual abuse by clergy and Church coverups

A couple of months back I watched the confronting US Doco "Deliver us from Evil" ( http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/deliver-us-from-evil/ ) which documents the sexual abuse committed by one Catholic priest in particular, and the Church hierarchy's lack of action over decades, allowing the priest to constantly re-offend as they transferred him between parishes, despite their knowledge of his actions on each occasion.

Amazingly, over 100,000 children in the US alone have now made accusations of sexual abuse by clergy. To this day the Church refuse to release information to the Police citing confidentiality, while the Police have over 500 investigations underway into sexual abuse by clergy in California alone.

Even more amazingly, the Church will soon begin paying the former priest (who is now a free man living in Ireland) a pension.

Only in America?

Unfortunately, no. Last night's 4 Corners, entitled "Unholy Silence" ( http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/06/28/3535079.htm ) documented a remarkably similar case in Australia.

A former priest, (known only as Father F for legal reasons) has been allegedly abusing young boys since the 1980s. The Church became aware of allegations in 1983, but refused to speak to other potential victims and instead employed Australia's top QC to defend the priest against new charges, then transferred him to another parish where he allegedly reoffended. In 1992 he admitted to the charges in an interview with 3 other clergy, but the Church did not pass this information to Police.

In writing a report about the interview, one of the clergy made no mention of the effect on the victims but lamented the bad publicity that the events would have on the Church, should the victim(s) go public! Several of those victims are now dead, having committed suicide.

The former priest is a free man to this day, living in Armidale and working with children.

4 corners also documented other cases where Australian priests accused of sexual abuse have been relocated to overseas posts and refused to return to Australia on the direction of the church hierarchy.

The state of Victoria has begun an enquiry into sexual abuse by Churches/religious groups. That's not enough. There needs to be a Commonwealth Royal Commission to investigate this issue, with full powers to get past the coverups.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on July 11, 2012 at 5:46pm

Caroline,

I personally believe the 3rd Secret of Fatima is very relevant to this discussion. I realise that the apparitions of the Blessed Mother of God at Fatima belong in the realm of private revelation (and therefore do not form part of the Deposit of Faith), but I don't doubt that Our Lady of Fatima had some very important messages for us all - and I question whether the entire 3rd secret has been revealed. The version released by the Vatican in the year 2000 ends with the 4th memoir "In Portugal, the dogma of the faith will always be preserved, etc. ...”. This particular ending "etc. ....." suggests to me (and many others) that there is more to be told. There can be no doubt that Our Lady is the most wonderful mother (truly the worthy mother of God), and often intervenes to protect her precious children in times of danger, particularly when the Church is in crisis. When Our Lord was dying on the Holy Cross he turned to St John, the Beloved Apostle and said "Behold, thy mother." In this, we understand that Our Lord was giving His mother not only to St John, but to the entire Church. The gift of His own mother to watch over us ranks among the greatest gifts EVER given.

Dr Caroline Wright said:

I am currently reading the last one and found myself side-tracked by the 'Fatima: Third Secret'.

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Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on July 11, 2012 at 11:01pm

Caroline,

Women are definitely not prohibited from entering the Church. By far the greatest saint in the entire history of the Church is a woman - the singular boast of all humanity. Our Lord in His Infinite Wisdom chose only men as Apostles (i.e. Bishops and Priests) and the Catholic Church continues this Tradition in faithful obedience to Our Lord's example. The relationship between Our Lord and the Church is one of bridegroom and bride. Our Lord is the Bridegroom, the Church is His Bride. Hence, the Church is referred to as "She". Like any good bride, the Church must obey the Bridegroom!

Dr Caroline Wright said:

Why is the church referred to as 'she' yet women are prohibited from entering her ranks based on only one reference which came 'out of the blue' many many centuries ago with no discussion or rationale for such a ruling?

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 11, 2012 at 11:20pm

Rory....Like any good bride, the Church must obey the Bridegroom!

I take it that you were kidding here surely?

One could also argue that the Church being the bride then all clerics should be female.

Lind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 12, 2012 at 12:37pm

I have a question Rory that you may be able to direct me to a place where I can get the information that will enable me to answer it. I learned at school that Matthew wrote a gospel in Hebrew for the Jews while Peter and Paul were teaching in Rome. After their deaths Mark wrote down what Peter preached, Luck wrote down what Paul preached and John wrote the fourth gospel. What I would like to know is just how many accounts of the life of Jesus were written and by whom and how, who and when the decision was made that these four accounts only would be the true accounts of His life here on earth.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on July 12, 2012 at 5:30pm

Caroline,

Here's a good resource...

http://www.olrl.org/apologetics/

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 13, 2012 at 4:52pm

Thanks Rory I am still wading through it all.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Barbara lee on July 15, 2012 at 1:13pm

Hi Rory, pop in and had a read, as soon as I open it, completely was captivated by seeing the Virgin Mary in all her glory.

My mother who was no denomination, always believed in Mary wonderful to see her on that thread even though you guys are browsing through.

It warm my heart. Even though people are losing their faith, mines not built on what’s been written or if it’s been changed or if the confessional box was used for another purpose, or what’s happen in the catholic church with rampant with pedophilia.

I just know, God is such a powerful person, I only have to look at a new born babes, and just marvel how everything on this planet has a purpose and interlocking the food chain so to speak, the colour of the sky, trees, Kimberley, colour of that beautiful red soil, highest mountains, and all the different ferns trees, How brilliant are they all. And what a man to have created it all. It took a God for sure. I go to church because I'm in complete ore of this earth of ours, even how he died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Man that took some gutsy God to do that and get through it.

You could call it evolution if you’re wanting too. Sorry it’s too brilliant for evolution in my books. God has answered my preys on number occasions now.

So with all the searching back, and finding what hasn't been true, yes some changes have been man made, the church as made many changes to suit themselves to survive thus being at one stage so rich way back when off the backs of the poor. But that’s changed as the church needed to change to become more human and compassionate, still keeping to the 10 commandments of course here by to the different stories in the gospel, I think with the old paper work started many different region groups off as it was hard to interoperate.

With the pedophilia going on and the church, looks like the church has survived it. But with it happening and being uncovered to face what the priest were really up too. Has been a big awaking for the Catholic Church and an awful experience for the ones who were affected for sure.

It won't stop me from going to church no matter what you uncovered in the search of truth. God is with us all the time, has created some outstanding things indeed. I feel everything is meant to be, and each one is where they are right now, as God saw all our sins when caring that cross and wearing the crown of thorns. No man could injure that today. God is God not evolution, I feel his here, as my mum died, exactly 6 weeks later my mum was standing at the foot of my bed in person we even chatted and told me stuff I needed to know, no dreaming, it actual happen, so don’t tell me evolution. Only God could allow that to happen.

Pedophilia such an awful sickness, counseling is needed for sure. the destruction of invading and taking away robbing that special part of a child life is just awful. And with computers now,there uncovering it even more, and some are young dads that are doing this, now that is sick, and should seek professional help if your the very one doing this now. You bet I'm mad on that subject. As I personally know of one case that did affect 2 girls badly.

The catholic church will live through this, as its down for hundreds of years before

Cheerio

Barb

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 16, 2012 at 9:09am

I was wondering Rory if the gospel written by Mary refers to Mary Magdalen?

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Jan Courtney on July 16, 2012 at 1:04pm

Goodness Rory, I can't believe you are recommending gnostic teachings as gospel.

You'll be advocating a return to the Crusades next.

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Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on July 16, 2012 at 4:50pm

Jan,
Can you please point out which gnostic teaching I ever recommended? That would be almost as bad as endorsing divorce, while claiming to be a practising Catholic.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Courtney on July 16, 2012 at 7:11pm

http://www.olrl.org/apologetics/

The link you provided for Caroline to study -

I was wondering Rory if the gospel written by Mary refers to Mary Magdalen?

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on July 17, 2012 at 5:31pm

Jan,

The link I provided doesn't give any support whatsoever to any gnostic gospel. Are we reading the same link here?

Jan Courtney said:

http://www.olrl.org/apologetics/

The link you provided for Caroline to study -

I was wondering Rory if the gospel written by Mary refers to Mary Magdalen?

Kind regards

Caroline