Bill O'Reilly has weighed in on the Catholic Church crisis, saying former Boston Cardinal Bernard Law should be in jail for his role in covering up pedophile priests, but that he himself remains a staunch Catholic despite the crisis.
"A number of Catholics have left the church because of the priestly sins, but not me. From the beginning, in Sister Claudia's first-grade class, I understood that the Catholic Church was about Jesus, not Father Flannery. Believe me, I saw so many loons in my Catholic school days that I should be a Buddhist. But it is the theology, not the church leadership, that keeps me in the fold," O'Reilly writes.
O'Reilly points out he played a leading role in forcing Cardinal Law in Boston to resign but says he should be in prison.
“You may remember that I was a driving force in bringing down the villainous Cardinal Law in Boston, a man who allowed child-molesting priests to run wild. When Law was forced to resign, I was happy. But then the late Pope John Paul II gave him a cushy job in Rome, where Law remains today. If it were up to me, the cardinal would be in prison.”
O'Reilly also says that Pope John Paul 11 utterly failed to deal with the growing crisis.
"I was deeply disappointed that he did not meet with molestation victims when he visited the United States in 1999. When I publicly criticized him for avoiding the issue, the Catholic League scorched me. And that's fine. They are entitled to their opinion."
O'Reilly says this Easter was a very bad time for Catholics "Holy Week was tough for Catholics, as once again the terrible specter of child molestation was in the air. Driven by a series of articles by The New York Times, the Catholic Church now faces questions about whether Pope Benedict XVI ignored some past abuse cases when he was a cardinal. The evidence is scant but nevertheless damning because of the previous priest-pedophilia scandals.”
Despite all the scandal however O'Reilly says he is staying loyal to the church.
"Throughout it all, however, I stayed with the church. If you cut through all the bull, the doctrines of treating others as you want to be treated, forgiveness and redemption, and charity for all stand the test of time.
“Even if the atheists are right and there is no God, the philosophy of Jesus is full-force positive. Live the way he lived, and the world will be a better place.
“It's not corrupt priests or apathetic leaders in Rome. It's Jesus and his followers, the folks who sit in the pews on Sunday. And that's good enough for me."
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.pflynn70 | Apr 14, 2010, 11:24 AM EDT
I feel the same way as Bill O'Reilly, it's the base doctrine of the Church thats good, but you get "man" involved especially with religion and all goes to pot. Man makes his own rules "believeing" that this is what Jesus would want. The Church should follow the "Kiss" approach, "keep it simple stupid" and go back to the basics.
hibernian | Apr 13, 2010, 12:12 PM EDT
I have NEVER agreed with anything that Mr. Reilly has said BUT I have to say that I totally agree with every word here. I live & will die an Irish Roman Catholic. Right on, Bill. Thank you for your thoughts & words.
Buffalobrave | Apr 13, 2010, 06:59 AM EDT
It is not only the Catholic church that harbors pedophiles, they are in every walk of life. However there are people to willing to point the finger at the Catholic church just to bash all Catholic priests. Morality in our own country today is pretty low. Just look at the smutty TV commercials. The movies are no better. Good story lines until they digress into the gutter with garbage scenes full of lust and nudity. So all of this sanctimonious BS about the Catholic church by the media should stop. Time to look at the over-all picture of society.
KathyCallahan | Apr 13, 2010, 12:42 AM EDT
Cardinal Law formally of Boston should be extradited to the Unites States for he is but one of the living lynch pins in the harboring pedophile Irish America abuse scandal. They don't think that he should be questioned under oath because the likes of Murphy, Ratzinger and Law are all somehow above criminal and child protection laws. And by what powerful ruling is Law shielded? The agreement between Benito Mussolini and the papacy that created the pseudo-state of Vatican City in the Lateran Pact of 1929. Now Ratzinger himself is being exposed as a very glib and cold enabler and ultimately responsible for impeding and obstructing justice and protecting so called reigious pederasts.
quixotic | Apr 12, 2010, 09:10 PM EDT
I understand O"Reilly's content. I do think that Sister Claudia would have placed more emphasis than O'Reilly recalls on the uniqueness of the priests of his parish and especially the Pope. However, his points are on target. Of course, his incredibly ego-centricity makes it almost impossible to listen to him. I never do.
MurrayGirl | Apr 12, 2010, 12:09 PM EDT
Although not a big fan of O'Reilly, I can't agree with him more! Live by what Jesus taught. The news is full of preachers, priests and assorted others, from all religions who have abused children; all religions and organizations try to cover up this type of abuse - until they get caught and have to own up to turning a "blind-eye" to the facts.
Siobhan39 | Apr 12, 2010, 11:27 AM EDT
Cardinal LaW should be in jail, along with all the other Catholic hierarchy who turned their backs on our children. I even believe the Pope should be held accountable for his deeds (make that misdeeds) in moving priests from parish to parish and ignoring their crimes.
terrimac | Apr 12, 2010, 10:35 AM EDT
how does anyone support a religion/church who abuses children?????????????
Linden Nash | Apr 12, 2010, 10:11 AM EDT
I cannot understand anyone belonging to a church that allows pedophelia. Now that we know it is a coverup from the top down, surely Catholics can see these criminals are never going to be punished as they should be like anyone else. There are many other churches that have the same good principles and teachings and they would never condone such acts as homosexuality, rape, etc. I respect those that have left the church and if more people leave, perhaps the leaders will realize these priest need to be punished for their crimes and the victims acknowledged.
mandokeith | Apr 12, 2010, 10:02 AM EDT
Be sure to not let the messenger spoil the Message. Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind. He is the only way to the Father.....
ChristineHickey | Apr 11, 2010, 06:40 PM EDT
Bill O'Reilly says that he played a major role in Law's resignation. I have even heard him say he alone is responsible. Nonsense! His ego has no connection to reality. Many talk show hosts in Boston called for Law's resignation. Clergy abuse victims, Catholics, newspaper editorials, members of the general public, and some priests, called for Law's resignation. (And I doubt he resigned as a result of any of those calls for resignation.) I was intimately involved in the clergy abuse situation in Boston in 2002 and never saw, or heard about, O'Reilly at any event, protest, vigil, advocate meeting, church meeting, press conference or legal procedings regarding the topic. For him to take so much credit is absurd. Rather he should acknowledge all those who have worked tirelessly to expose the truth, and bring about justice, regarding clergy abuse. By that I mean those who have walked the walk, taken action, and not just talked the talk. While I agree with O'Reilly's opinion on Law, I am offended by his need to promote himself and portray himself as some kind of a leader regarding this topic.
mikemeboy | Apr 11, 2010, 03:06 PM EDT
It is not very often I find myself agreeing with O'Reilly, either in political or theological matters. Having said that I gotta say "Spot on my man" ! His Emminence should be staying in the grey bar hilton, for covering up the horrific goings-on, but that will never happen, as he knows the deep dark secrets. Go get em Bill!
Tschetter | Apr 11, 2010, 01:58 PM EDT
REMEMBER JESUS SAID..HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN,CAST THE FIRST STONE
stillcatholic | Apr 11, 2010, 11:14 AM EDT
It isn't.. just about priests, it is also school teachers who have 100x's worse the abuse,this is a social cancer and it is in families, and other denominations such as jewish protestant, muslim. It is at the doctor's office, Don't you read the papers? Do you think it could be the increase of pornography and the internet?? This is about evil and evil acts. This is a sexual aboration of people/humans. This is an abuse of authority and power.Healing will come from ONLY..forgiveness..from the abused ..down right sincere sorrowfulness and wanting to be forgiven from the abuser..sometimes..The abuser doesn't want to be forgiven. The abused has to somehow forgive so that they can move forward. Money doesn't bring healing.. (helps! with therapy bills) but money doesn't do the deep deep healing needed. It takes years and years and many more years to heal the shame and loss of innocence. To gain enough life back to function. It was only by forgiving..Ask Me how I know!
McNamara31 | Apr 11, 2010, 10:31 AM EDT
Why do you think Cardinal Law was given the job and Basilica in Rome? Because he kept silent for those who were relly directing the problem. In many abuse cases when the Bishops wrote to the Vatican the letters weren't answered for years.
McNamara31 | Apr 11, 2010, 10:28 AM EDT
I,too, will remain a catholic. However, I remain appalled and will not accept the mealy mouthed apologies and incredible defenses of cardinals, archbishops, the Vatican and the current Pope. Many of the clergy are mystified by the public outcry. Simply, the laity see that their clergy chose to serve the institution of the church and to ignore the admonition "whatever you do to the least of My children that you do unto Me".
rhonaOttolina | Apr 11, 2010, 01:18 AM EDT
HELL AND PRISON FOR ALL PEDOPHILES AND THEIR ACCOMPLICES! CRIMINALS!! WITH A ROBE!
Liamkeyes | Apr 10, 2010, 09:51 PM EDT
Did the Disciples not say "Where else can we go Lord, you have the words of Everlasting Life?
Rebelforce | Apr 10, 2010, 06:26 PM EDT
I agree entirely with Bill that being Catholic should be about following and molding our lives on Jesus Christ, not the so obviously flawed hierarchy. But just for clarification, is this the same "Staunch Catholic" O'Reilly who was accused in that torrid phone sex scandal with an employee a few years back? I'm just asking.
irishathens | Apr 10, 2010, 12:50 PM EDT
I partially agree. However the abuse hotline in Munich had to close due to saturation. Plus at the moment Polish people who were coerced into signing vows of silence are now speaking out. So I think the church which is actually being run as a business has to reform from the top down before it implodes. Only then will spirituality and the message of Jesus be stronger than material assets.
Portia777 | Apr 10, 2010, 07:17 AM EDT
Divine Feminine Returns with Love and Peace for all. Lady Justice now reigns instead of Patriarchal Just Us.
murphy66 | Apr 10, 2010, 01:56 AM EDT
The Blessed Mother is in charge.