34 Comments

• JuneAnnette | Sep 11, 2011, 11:51 AM EDT

  2BorNot2B a Roman Catholic . . indeed that is the burning question?I would strongly urge you to reflect upon the thoughts of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate**continued**If all of these things were true!The problem is that there is no authentic historical evidence that any of it is true. The various titles, roles and offices attributed to popes, bishops and priests are not products of divine revelation but of human invention, often as a response and reaction to serious external threats to the power and wealth of the clerical aristocracy. For example, and it’s a good example, Papal Infallibility was literally invented by Pope Pius IX and forced through the First Vatican Council...for political reasons. The pope’s kingdom, the Papal States, was threatened with dissolution by the Italian social upheaval at the time. Likewise the title “Vicar of Christ” was part of a conscious program of a medieval pope to fortify papal power. This title has had a long and complex and by no means consistent history. It was not applied to the Papacy until the 13th century when Pope Innocent III took it to enhance his overall program of actively concentrating just about all power in the Church in the papacy.

• JuneAnnette | Sep 11, 2011, 11:50 AM EDT

  2BorNot2B a Roman Catholic . . indeed that is the burning question?I would strongly urge you to reflect upon the thoughts of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate**continued**This teaching is the foundation for the clerical culture that runs the Church. Clericalism is the belief that clerics (deacons, priests and bishops) are superior to lay persons and are rightfully entitled to deference, unquestioned respect and exemption from many of the obligations born by most lay people. This clerical world is the home of the men who make up the Church power structure. The Church teaches that this structure is the church. To be a Catholic, one must believe totally in the teachings about the nature of the church strictures and the sacredness of the Church’s clerical ministers.If all of these teachings were true, would there be a need for all of the secrecy? If these teachings were true, especially about the “Christ-like” nature of priests and bishops, would there be such widespread corruption, dishonesty and abuse found among clerics at every level?

• JuneAnnette | Sep 11, 2011, 11:17 AM EDT

  2BorNot2B a Roman Catholic . . indeed that is the burning question?***I would strongly urge you to reflect upon the thoughts of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate. . cont.***Source: The secret secret of the Vatican / Tom Doyle – My Comments on Andrew Brown’s Blog /July 23, 2010 / Link: http://www.richardsipe.com/Doyle/2010/2010-07-25.htm***This teaching is the foundation for the clerical culture that runs the Church. Clericalism is the belief that clerics (deacons, priests and bishops) are superior to lay persons and are rightfully entitled to deference, unquestioned respect and exemption from many of the obligations born by most lay people. This clerical world is the home of the men who make up the Church power structure. The Church teaches that this structure is the church. To be a Catholic, one must believe totally in the teachings about the nature of the church strictures and the sacredness of the Church’s clerical ministers.If all of these teachings were true, would there be a need for all of the secrecy? If these teachings were true, especially about the “Christ-like” nature of priests and bishops, would there be such widespread corruption, dishonesty and abuse found among clerics at every level?

• JuneAnnette | Sep 07, 2011, 11:47 AM EDT

  2BorNot2B a Roman Catholic . . indeed that is the burning question?I would strongly urge you to reflect upon the thought of Thomas Doyle, RC priest & Clergy Abuse Advocate***Source: The secret secret of the Vatican / Tom Doyle – My Comments on Andrew Brown’s Blog /July 23, 2010 / Link: http://www.richardsipe.com/Doyle/2010/2010-07-25.htm***"The Church is a visible institution. The Church teaches as official dogma that the Church as we know it, that is, a hierarchical structure that is totally run by celibate male clerics (mostly bishops), was instituted by Jesus Himself. The Church teaches that the pope is the representative (Vicar) of Christ on earth. It teaches that Christ founded His church and left it in the control of the twelve apostles and explicitly willed that these apostles pass this power down to their successors. Consequently the official teaching is that the visible church is run by men who have been explicitly chosen by the Supreme Being. Furthermore the Church teaches that priests are fundamentally different than other humans. They are, in the words of John Paul II, uniquely configured to Christ. Catholics are taught to believe that priests are special. They represent Jesus Christ. They have very special spiritual powers. Their intercession is essential for anyone who wishes to make it to heaven in the next life.

• warlocks | Sep 07, 2011, 02:41 AM EDT

  What would Jesus say or DO ? I'm positive he would not be very happy how his church has turned out i bet he would flog the guilty Priests like he did on the temple yard 2000 yrs ago. he would drive the sinners from the house of God just as he did the Money Changers the Vatican is not a house of God , its a House of Evil & Sin. it covers up the Guilty Priests .its only a front it serves its own self interest of Power and Money then the good of its Flock.

• barneyjo | Sep 06, 2011, 04:17 PM EDT

  @2BorNot2B - I am thankful for your comments. One thing that strikes me is your certainty that it is Satan which is at work here. For myself, I am less certain, especially when I reflect on the words of Saint Pio; those quoted here are taken from a letter written by Pio to Friar Agustine, his Spiritual advisor. This after all is a beatified saint of our church who sought to make us aware that God was greatly displeased at the behaviour of certain ministers within his church. "How many times my wrath was to strike them like lightning, but I was stopped by the angels and the souls who love me....." strong words, but they seem to me to have been something of portent of what has come to pass. I agree absolutely with you about the presence of Satan, however I now feel that presence within the Church itself. And that should not be surprising when you consider that WE all ARE the church whether as laity or clergy. We all are born of the human state and condition and by definition we are all imperfect, though we be Pontiff, priest, parent or postman. Satan can work through that humanity, that weakness. It would seem that the Catholic Church, my Church and yours has for too long sought to deny that this was indeed the case, and is now "hoisted on its own petard" for doing so. Satan at work? most certainly. However, regrettably the fertile ground within the Church, as with the rest of this world was already prepared for the "fury" of which you so earnestly speak!! For myself, and for recognising that, I am already happily vindicated.

• 2BorNot2B | Sep 06, 2011, 03:49 PM EDT

  barneyjo, you are wrong. I in fact do TRULY UNDERSTAND because I know people quite close to me who have 'walked that calvary.' However, they believe in 'redemptive suffering' and are not part of shrill, get even at any cost, make as much noise as you can, bring down the whole edifice' and, as one poster on these blogs once expressed it: "I want to get my full pound of flesh from those bastards!" - I in fact know many more people, than the CC is charged with, who have been victimized by their own relatives, friends and 'helpers' (all you have to do is open the pages of one of those check-out-counter journals to see that 90% of H'wood women have a tale to tell in that regard), yet no one hears about their cases. So don't talk to me as though I'm some sort of Pollyanna. This entire world is rotten; but what most enervates me is the fact that ONLY the faults of the CC are put in high relief! This is neither accidental nor unintended. It is deliberate, concerted and criminal; the product of vitriolic satanic hatred for Christ Himself. -- In view of the few cases in the CC that have actually gone to trial and conviction -as opposed to the zillions that are hushed and overlooked perpetrated in the bosom of so many other organizations... isn't it obvious that the fury of Satan is unleashed and that he is at work here? Weren't we warned that would happen? -- But you sir, seemed to have kept the faith despite the disinformation that saturates the MSM. Guard it carefully, and don't waver. Inform yourself away from the emotionalism and spin the enemies of the Church so effectively employ to pare any remnants of the 'moral authority' the Church has always enjoyed. I assure you, you will in the end be happily vindicated.

• 2BorNot2B | Sep 06, 2011, 03:16 PM EDT

  So Junebug -- Unlike you, I actually believe the words of the bible, and the fact that in His infinite wisdom God presents us with challenges that sorely test us. Yet we choose to endure and work from within His Church, because, unfortunately for you, ONLY HIS CHURCH has the means of salvation in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist; don’t you remember, 'He who does not eat my body and drink my blood has no life in him..'? It so happens that only those consecrated to the priesthood can confect it - or, do you think you, or those you now follow can do so as well? I'd like to see chapter and verse proof of that one.. unless to you Jesus was ONLY KIDDING and, as they say in your neighborhood: it's 'only a symbol.' - The bible tells me also that 'only those who endure to the end will be saved,' so I, and millions like me persevere, pray for a cleansing, act to instruct ourselves try to counter the exacerbated hatred and lies, and wait for the truth to prevail. The Lord knows what He is doing, and in His own good time the dust will settle and the Church will continue as it has for 2000 years, until He chooses to come back and ‘make all things new.’ The diff between us is that we wait and listen, like the virgins with the well stocked lamps, you… you think you know better!

• 2BorNot2B | Sep 06, 2011, 03:10 PM EDT

  JuneAGnewt-- My, but you suffer from a case of terminal conceit! Unlike NY, the city so nice it had to be named twice, your posts have definite limited appeal, so you don't need to repeat them. -- You're like the smarmy old aunt, always accusing, always in a froth, always annoying.. so much so, it makes one pray for the day when a fulminating coronary renders her immobilized and speechless. - For you, however, that would be a blessing; assuming some 6 years on hospice hell, you'll have plenty of time to recollect, repent and reprise the faith you left and now spit upon every chance you get. If I were you, I'd work double hard on your judgmentalism, on your blanket condemnation of an entire Church; on people you don't even know, yet accept as an article of faith -because some ex-priest whi is your new-found prophet and pope/guide tells you so- that the WHOLE of the house Christ founded is rotten and irredeemable.- Right there honey, I'd be mighty careful with the words He left, found on the book you now worship: 'Lo, I will be with you until the end of days.. and 'The gates of hell shall not prevail against her..' But for the moment, that's not you, you obviously enjoy your personification of a reverse latter day Torquemada. Based on the incessant blathering put forth on your posts, you arrogate to yourself a 'higher knowledge' than that of Christ Himself. That alone should turn off anyone attempting to get through the first two lines of your hateful, ’look, I’m holier than thou’ diatribes. Cont…

• barneyjo | Sep 06, 2011, 02:59 PM EDT

  @2BorNot2B - "My soul goes looking for some drop of human pity, but they leave me alone under the weight of their indifference. The ingratitude and the sleep of my ministers increase the agony for me. They badly respond to my love! The greater torment for me is that these people add their contempt to their indifference and disbelief. How many times my wrath was to strike them like lightning, but I was stopped by the angels and the souls who love me....." (Padre Pio - Apparitions). Broken bodies, broken spirits, broken minds, broken faith on a global scale. NOT ONCE have I ever seen you attempt reconcile this terrible truth with your particular view of the church's position. I am obliged to conclude that neither you yourself, or anyone close to you have ever been a victim of abuse and its horrific aftermath, and in that you are most fortunate. Unless you, or anyone else for that matter, has walked the Calvary of abuse, what do you truly know, or understand???

• barneyjo | Sep 06, 2011, 02:52 PM EDT

  @2BorNot2B - broken bodies, broken spirits, broken minds, broken faith on a global scale. NOT ONCE have I ever seen you attempt reconcile this terrible truth with your particular view of the church's position. I am obliged to conclude that neither you yourself, or anyone close to you have ever been a victim of abuse and its horrific aftermath, and in that you are most fortunate. Unless you, or anyone else for that matter, has walked the Calvary of abuse, what do you truly know, or understand???

• JuneAnnette | Sep 06, 2011, 02:43 PM EDT

  Richard Sipe's credentials . . continued: He spent 18 years serving the Church as a Benedictine monk and Catholic priest. In those capacities he was trained to deal with the mental health problems of priests. He and Marianne have been married since 1970 and have one son. Both as a priest and married man he has practiced psychotherapy, taught on the faculties of Major Catholic Seminaries and colleges, lectured in medical schools, and served as a consultant and expert witness in both civil and criminal cases involving the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests. Sipe has no professional sympathy for the cardinals and bishops and other ranking church officials who cover up their crimes. "Some of them are so terrible," Sipe says. "I mean the plain lying that I've seen, bishop after bishop saying, 'No, this was never true. I don't know anything. I can't remember anything.' And sometimes the bishop just smiles. One bishop said, 'I only lie when I have to.'"

• JuneAnnette | Sep 06, 2011, 02:41 PM EDT

  Richard Sipe's credentials: A.W. RICHARD SIPE is a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor who earlier spent 18 years as a Benedictine monk and priest. He was trained specifically to deal with the mental health problems of Roman Catholic Priests. In the process of training and therapy, he conducted a 25-year ethnographic study of the celibate/sexual behavior of that population. His study, published in 1990, is now considered a classic. Sipe is known internationally and has participated in 12 documentaries on celibacy and priest sexual abuse aired by HBO, BBC, and other networks in the United States, United Kingdom, and France. He has been widely interviewed by media including CNN, ABC, NBC, CNBC, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, People magazine, Newsweek and USA Today.

• JuneAnnette | Sep 06, 2011, 01:11 PM EDT

  2BorNot2B a Roman Catholic . . indeed that is the burning question?***Those who unquestionably place their trust in a man are deemed followers of a cult. The pope is the leader of the largest cult, namely Roman Catholicism, which boasts a billion followers. Christ rebuked the religious leaders of his day, the Scribes . . the Pharisees on several occasions for their preference of TRADITION over the SCRIPTURES. ( Matt. 15:3,6; Mark 7:8,9; 13) No more is this in view than in the cult of Roman Catholicism. Christ also rebuked them for their ignorance of the SCRIPTURES. (Matt. 22:29 It is a common snare among men to elevate a man to a position of prominence, but for Christians, Christ alone is to have the pre-eminence. (Col. 1:18) Christ has warned us that many false prophets would arise. (Mark 13:22) Christ said HIS sheep hear HIS voice and follow him. (John 10:27-28) He went on to say, those who keep HIS Word and obey HIS commandments are in truth HIS disciples. (John 8:31; John 14:15; John 15:10) In his earthly ministry, Christ often read and quoted from the Old Testament Scriptures. The Apostle Paul in the book of Acts commends the Jews in Berea for searching the Scriptures and not taking Paul at his word (Acts 17:11), and in Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy, we read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Tim. 3:16-17) I would commend to all Roman Catholics God's Word . . the Bible . . the GOOD BOOK! I would also direct you to the ministry of Richard Bennett, Biblical Apologist & former R.C. Priest. Mr. Bennett has authored many articles in which he carefully examines R.C. Doctrine / teachings / in the light of Scripture. One of particular note is 'The perilous fondness of the Papacy' / Source: BereanBeacon.org

• JuneAnnette | Sep 06, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT

  2BorNot2B a Roman Catholic . . indeed that is the burning question? HorsesinMdstrm, perhaps this poor misguided fellow (2BorNot2B) will listen to the wise counsel of one of his own.***Source: Irish Central / Article: Memo to Irish Catholic Church: Your services are no longer needed /Posted by FatherTim at 7/4/2009/ EXCERPT continued: “My friends, For the Catholic Church In Ireland, the game is over.The Irish people, and I am convinced it is the majority, no longer wish to have the Catholic Church in their country, or in their lives, and possibly not in their faith. I cannot blame them. The Church is solely to blame for this, from front to back, start to finish. It is reaping what it sowed. Although running away from a fire rather than toward it is not the example many of us in the Church believe should be our service to God and His Children, it may be best for all that we settle up our debts, hand over our criminals, and catch the next plane out of Dublin. I am sure that, after a transition period, many of the services the Church provides in Ireland can be contracted to others, and I would hope whatever damage settlements we must and should pay will smoothe that changeover. There is simply no way that an institution so horriby tainted and so utterly mistrusted can or should speak in the name of Jesus Christ in Ireland, nor attempt to project spiritual and moral leadership.”***Since writing his scathing condemnation of the Roman Catholic “church “Fr. Tim”, a Jesuit priest, seems to be “missing in action”, and no longer appears on the roster of blogs at Irish Central! No one seems to know the whereabouts of “Fr. Tim” but in all likelihood, he has been spirited off to some remote monastery consigned to a life of penance and silence for the unforgiveable crime of telling the TRUTH!

• JuneAnnette | Sep 06, 2011, 12:56 PM EDT

  2BorNot2B a Roman Catholic . . indeed that is the burning question? HorsesinMdstrm, perhaps this poor misguided fellow (2BorNot2B) will listen to the wise counsel of one of his own.***Source: Irish Central / Article: Memo to Irish Catholic Church: Your services are no longer needed /Posted by FatherTim at 7/4/2009/ EXCERPT continued . . History shows us that few churches ever exerted such domineering social power as the Irish Catholic Church. It specialized almost exclusively in sin, shame, Satan and hell; or why God should be feared(?!), and what terrible vengeance and judgment awaited us all. We were not worthy of His Love, or so they taught for centuries -- an arrogant slap in the face to the very God they "quoted," who spoke ONLY of His Love for His Children Whom He made in His Own Image of Perfection and Purity.Small wonder that so many of those who could never teach love, never understand forgiveness, never accept the Unity of All God's Children, and embraced judgment like a blunt instrument of punishment, would wind up lost at sea themselves -- degenerating into abusers of innocent children, and even worse, into protectors and guardians of the abusers.They helped teach Ireland to hate, to never forgive, to fear, to be suspicious. Now, they are the hated, and the ones who can never be forgiven, not even by their own people and not even in spite of many, many, many good and Godly works they have done for them.

• 2BorNot2B | Sep 06, 2011, 11:20 AM EDT

  BishopSean - I'll take up your comment on my next free time, but it will be coming.

• 2BorNot2B | Sep 06, 2011, 11:17 AM EDT

  whorsesInAMudstream - You poor, pitiable thing, you must have been asleep a couple of weeks ago when the Vatican threw that BIG party in Madrid, and you did not get invited. Either that or you were watching those other Soros funded propaganda outlets like PBS, PMSNBC, BBC or the voice of Amerikan/Irish Pravda. So, there in the middle of the Cuatro Vientos military airfield some 1.5 million joyous young people got together to worship, sing, and to cheer an octogenarian of no particular talent, other than a monstrous intelligence.- And those were only the ones who decided to brave the miserable weather for an overnighter without blankets or tents. Millions more or them lined the streets to catch a glimpse of BXVI, while millions of others watched the proceedings on TV. - Gotta tell you, the entire city was swept-up in a wave of joy that was contagious and palpable. Even the 'old folks' participated. The all mentioned they wanted the feeling to last forever! - You can make plans for the next party in Brazil, but better start early, as the attendance can get a bit overwhelming. In the Philippines 4 million showed up; France over 2 Mill, Rome about the same or more.. So, I wouldn't, like you, start making plans for 'lights out.' Apparently there is a winnowing going on at this time... and you seem to be among the chaff. Get your act together and join the wheat, because you know what the Big Guy said about your kind. It ain't going to be pleasant!

• BishopSean | Sep 06, 2011, 08:05 AM EDT

  Dear 2Bornot2B, respectfully, I do not believe Dr Richard Sipes says what he says to grind axes. He worked for decades as a therapist helping active Roman Catholic priests with a variety of troubling behaviours in a specialized centre. His challenges to the Vatican's policies on such matters as clergy sex abuse should be taken very seriously by right thinking persons in responsible positions in the Vatican. Furthermore, Roman Cathoic Theology says if one should state there can be such a thing as an ex-priest, let him be anathema (Council of Trent). Dr. Sipes is an honourable man who will be part of the solution for the Roman Catholic Church, if he is heard properly. Many former Roman Catholic priests could and would continue in formal ministry if invited. My Eastern Catholic Church is there for them. Blessings.

• HorsesInMdstrm | Sep 06, 2011, 06:59 AM EDT

  @2BorNot2b and Trealach - be sure to lock the church door when you leave because you'll probably be the last ones out.

• 2BorNot2B | Sep 06, 2011, 01:20 AM EDT

  Oh BTW, Richard Sipe is an ex-priest who left because he couldn't hold to his vows, isn't he? He sounds almost like Richard Bennett, the guy from the Berean Beak-On. -- Boy, those two are really credible witnesses with no ax to grind, aren't they? Very believable indeed. Whatever they have to say on any Catholic subject is worthy of listening to. Their words are a veritable treasure trove of unbiased wisdom.....NOT! It's like... the gospel for the well deluded.

• 2BorNot2B | Sep 06, 2011, 01:09 AM EDT

  Take heed mamagGIN and JuneAgnewt, here's a story for you: Once there were two silly old ants who thought they pull a rubber-tree plant...but anyone knows a stupid ant can't... pull a rubber-tree plant! Yet they had HIIIGH HOPES! Yeah, they had high, up-in-the-sky high hopes. So anytime they felt low instead of letting go they kept pulling with rants. Oops there went a couple of squashed ants! -- Then, once there were two smelly old rams.. they thought they'd punch a hole in a dam, no one could make those rams scram... they kept butting that dam! 'Cause they had HIIIGH HOPES, yeah, they had hiiigh hopes, they had high, pie in the sky hopes! -- So any time they felt like cads, kinda devil-like bad.. they kept punching that dam; and ooops, there went a billion killowatt dam, right on top of both. - Moral of the story: stupid, smelly, and fanatical, almost Talibanish... cease and desist with the preaching already, you are tiresome, and your effort has a snow ball's chance in hell, if you know what I mean.

• mamaginnty | Sep 05, 2011, 06:30 PM EDT

  The message being passed down from pope to pope and their followers....The children were the sinners, enticing the clergy, but we have decided to forgive these children. This message was read out in Rome by the last pope. A man who might end up a saint. This is a sick cult who still believe they can do no wrong.

• Tropiholic | Sep 05, 2011, 04:31 PM EDT

  they are shaking in their leather loafers over at the vatican and rightfully so.

• JuneAnnette | Sep 05, 2011, 02:39 PM EDT

  Richard Sipe, former R.C. Priest, who has served as a consultant or expert witness in 173 cases of sexual abuse of minors by Roman Catholic clergy, usually on behalf of plaintiffs states: 59. When a priest inflicts abuse the consequences are exacerbated because of the individual, familial, and social esteem in which a "representative of God" and the church is held. A number of researchers hold that abuse by a trusted religious figure is the most damaging type of abuse even exceeding the effects of incest. 62. When personal sexual betrayal is coupled with institutional neglect, denial, attack, conspiracy to hide abuse, protection of the abuser, and self justification, immeasurable harm is inflicted on the victims, their families, the church community and society at large. That damage is almost irreparable. 23. No bishop can claim ignorance of the fact that sexual activity of an adult with a minor is and always has been illegal.26. Equally demonstrable is the practice of transferring an offending priest from one parish to another, to another diocese or to a foreign country. I have been a consultant in dioceses where each of these activities is recorded. I have reviewed correspondence between bishops who exchanged offending priests, and I have seen other documents that make clear the acceptability and frequency of this practice among bishops.***Source: RichardSipe.com / Article: AN OVERVIEW OF THE SYSTEM OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND ABUSE WITHIN THE CLERICAL CULTURE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE USA***In solidarity with the VICTIMS of ROMAN CATHOLIC CLERGY ABUSE, JuneAnnette

• Trealach | Sep 05, 2011, 02:33 PM EDT

  At long last!! Enda Kenny has proven himself to be a profound LIAR - Not ONE case can he point to, to substantiate his LIES. Congratulations to the Vatican for exposing this Traitor and Liar. ArchBishop Martin has asked Dame Kenny to substantiate his LIES, and his silence is deafening. Where are you Mr.Kenny? face your accusers and PRODUCE the EVIDENCE, or resign! and get the hell out of our country and take your Protestant bigoted American friends with you.

• JuneAnnette | Sep 05, 2011, 02:21 PM EDT

  MEMO TO THE VATICAN . . IT'S ABOUT THE VICTIMS . . *** What the Victim of clergy abuse has had stolen from him cannot be recovered!***What the victims of clergy abuse have lost can never be regained, but some are able to find closure by holding their perpetrators accountable and pursuing justice by availing themselves of due process of law. Victims are vindicated when the church takes responsibility and their ABUSER is prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land. Victims are vindicated when they see judgment pronounced and the penalty / sentence for their heinous crimes imposed by the Judge carried out. Victims of abuse are vindicated when compensatory damages are rewarded for Pain and Suffering; Mental Anguish, and Costs associated with therapy. Though in truth, no amount of money could ever provide "fair" compensation to a person who has been sexually abused or assaulted, obtaining financial compensation through the civil justice system does two things. Number one, it helps bring about positive change within the institutions that harbor or enable sexual predators. And number two, it provides victims with the financial resources they need to move past the abuse and start living positively in the present.***Where criminal acts are committed, “I'M SORRY” simply won't cut it! There would be not need for lawyers who represent the Victim's interests if there weren't credible charges of the systematic rape, molestation and abuse of children by Roman Catholic clerics and the callous cover up of their crimes by their bosses, the BISHOPS!***In solidarity with the VICTIMS of ROMAN CATHOLIC CLERGY ABUSE, JuneAnnette

• JuneAnnette | Sep 05, 2011, 02:09 PM EDT

  MEMO TO THE VATICAN . . IT'S ABOUT THE VICTIMS . . *** What the Victim of clergy abuse has had stolen from him cannot be recovered!*** he has been robbed of the joy of childhood, so he has no pleasant memories to reflect upon; his dignity has been violated, so he suffers from chronic low self-esteem; his innocence has been stolen, so he feels guilty; his virtue has been stolen, so he feels ashamed and humiliated, and in some cases loathes himself; his body has been exploited/violated, so he feels helpless and powerless. Many victims of clergy abuse are tormented by nightmares where they revisit the abuse and this invariably deprives them of any peace of mind. Some victims of clergy abuse turn to alcohol, drugs, or other self-destructive behaviors to cope with their emotional pain; some are plagued with panic attacks; many are utterly traumatized and in desperation commit suicide.Most of these victims are now adults, but they were once innocent children whose vulnerability was exploited by trusted members of their church.Their faith has been shattered, their spirits have been crushed, and their souls destroyed by those whose solemn charge it was to guard. Their wounds are deep, their pain and sorrow intense and the emotional scars that remain are painful reminders of the horrific memories of their childhood.

• SeamusMor | Sep 05, 2011, 01:57 PM EDT

  The Pope himself appologized to the Irish victims for the harm done in cases of clerical sexual abuse, and stated that it was wrong to place the avoidance of scandal above the safety of children. There is no way to make up for the harm done, especially financially, except to do all that can be done to prevent abuse in the future, and to follow current guidelines requiring the report of abuse to the police. Considering the disgraceful rush to cash in on clerical sexual abuse, it is no wonder to see statements crafted by canon lawyers being released by the Church. You journalists are flogging a dead horse!

• JuneAnnette | Sep 05, 2011, 01:43 PM EDT

  MEMO TO THE VATICAN . . IT'S ABOUT THE VICTIMS . . *** What the Victim of clergy abuse has had stolen from him cannot be recovered!*** he has been robbed of the joy of childhood, so he has no pleasant memories to reflect upon; his dignity has been violated, so he suffers from chronic low self-esteem; his innocence has been stolen, so he feels guilty; his virtue has been stolen, so he feels ashamed and humiliated, and in some cases loathes himself; his body has been exploited/violated, so he feels helpless and powerless. Many victims of clergy abuse are tormented by nightmares where they revisit the abuse and this invariably deprives them of any peace of mind. Some victims of clergy abuse turn to alcohol, drugs, or other self-destructive behaviors to cope with their emotional pain; some are plagued with panic attacks; many are utterly traumatized and in desperation commit suicide.Most of these victims are now adults, but they were once innocent children whose vulnerability was exploited by trusted members of their church.Their faith has been shattered, their spirits have been crushed, and their souls destroyed by those whose solemn charge it was to guard. Their wounds are deep, their pain and sorrow intense and the emotional scars that remain are painful reminders of the horrific memories of their childhood.

• JuneAnnette | Sep 05, 2011, 01:35 PM EDT

  "“They are so out of touch with the reality of what it is to be abused, they just don’t get it."***Truer words were never spoken and that's because they are a lot of self-serving, narcisstic and arrogant religious phonies! Their policies were never intended to protect children, but rather are designed to protect the "church" and its' ASSETS, and to deter criticism of any kind by “the faithful” (who are diminishing rapidly) of her so-called “spiritual rulers”, while preserving the myth that her priests, bishops, cardinals & pope are above reproach and “holier than thou”! They continue to refuse to take responsibility for their unspeakable crimes and seek at all costs through legal means to avoid any financial consequences in the way of compensation to their countless victims!

• JuneAnnette | Sep 05, 2011, 12:51 PM EDT

  'But God does not protect a Temple that has been turned into a "Den of Robbers"' Pope Benedict XVI Temple or Church there is a den of robbers amongst us. Some may say that when Jesus saw what was going on in the temple he lashed out at the corrupt, but surely not every Jewish person, back then, was corrupt or doing dealings in the Temple that were not right. The same is the way with the Catholic Chuch now, and many other churches. They are filled with good people, but robbers, thieves, and child molesters have corrupted the church and the infestation has crept high up in its ranks. The Pope wears gold is a controversial painting, but one that hopes to put an image to the treachery. http://www.postmodernrevelation.com

• Rayosun | Sep 05, 2011, 10:12 AM EDT

  Google the story of Sister Mary MacKillop, who In 1871 exposed a pedophile Irish Catholic priest in Australia and was excommunicated for her evil-doing. It's NEVER the church and its representatives who are WRONG!!!! See http://JesusWouldBeFurious.Org/

• drwho13 | Sep 05, 2011, 09:41 AM EDT

  "Catholic bishops are owed nothing," and neither is the pope. Once we start disrespecting them, they will have NO POWER over us. Taoiseach Enda Kenny doesn't report to those filthy pigs. Throw them all out of Ireland. Canon law carries NO WEIGHT here! Who's country is it anyway?