Child abuse common in other churches, says Vatican
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva said that the church was “busy cleaning its own house” but that the problem was more widespread.
The remarks came in a defiant response to accusations that the church had covered up allegations of abuse levelled at it during a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council last week.
He said that “available research” estimated that between 1.5 per cent and five per cent of clergy had been involved in abuse, the Guardian reported....
It's interesting to note that one of the MOST VOCAL CRITICS of the RCC in this regard is himself a Roman Catholic, Richard Sipe: http://www.richardsipe.com/doyle/Response%20to%20Hennigan%20letter%209-9-2009.pdf
“I am writing in reference to certain statements in the letter which are factually incorrect and others that are phrased in such a way so as to drastically distort the truth of the matter. This letter and the case it refers to are grounded in the sexual abuse of minors by Roman Catholic clergy. My interest in this matter is grounded in the fact that I am a Catholic priest and a Canon lawyer.
The first statement I wish to address as being untrue is in reference to the legislation passed which allowed time-barred claims. The author of the letter says “In California, ‘sworn enemies of the Catholic Church’ helped draft and secure passage of legislation to revive otherwise time-barred claims against employers of abusers. Although the statute was worded in neutral terms, the target of the legislation in floor debates and committee reports was always the Roman Catholic Church.”
Exposing the existence of widespread criminal behavior by Catholic priests is certainly not evidence that those who demand accountability and justice are “sworn enemies of the Catholic Church.”
I find that it is always easier and more comforting to the Fundies out there in SA land to look for Catholic sins and paint them in "Large Red Letters". However, when their own sins are mentioned......the chirping of crickets is heard throughout the land. If I were to go to any Catholic site, would I find news item after news item, pointing out every flaw, every failing of "MY SEPARATED BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST"? Nope! You guys shouldn't feel so defensive about sin....we all have our share...don't we?
What a childish response . . . others do it too! Their pathetic comments no doubt intended to engender sympathy have instead earned them more scorn. ********** Source: The Jewish Daily Forward
Vatican’s New Defense on Child Molestation Charges: Finger-pointing
http://forward.com/articles/116201/
“Attorney Irwin Zalkin said he was unsurprised by the Vatican representative’s remarks. Zalkin has represented hundreds of victims of sexual abuse in lawsuits against the Catholic Church.
“They just don’t get it. There’s still a complete failure to take responsibility,” Zalkin said. For centuries, he said, Catholic leaders have tried to sweep under the carpet the problem of child sexual abuse. “The sin of scandal far outweighs, in their institutional response, any concern for the safety of children. That has been the problem.”
“Does [child sexual abuse] exist elsewhere? Of course it does,” Zalkin said. “But not really in the numbers we’re seeing in the Catholic Church.” ********** Mr. Zalkin is right . . . They just don't get it! ! !
Abuse in other churches? Yep, it happens. I admit here, the Vatican is right, but it is quite obvious. I suppose if there was a group of Protestants as big as the RCC, they'd probably get similar publicity regarding this issue. I think if the priests were allowed to marry, the problem would be reduced but not eliminated.
Not likely, Jim, considering that the Catholic Church is the original Church of Jesus Christ and the *only* one started by Jesus Himself.
As for your links:
The one questioning whether the Catholic Church is Christian or not bases its entire response on the fact that the Church teaches salvation based upon both faith and works. The author claims that such a position is unBiblical. I suggest that the author read the first chapter of James.
The one asking if the Catholic Church is the one true Church or not is full of very obvious errors. It says, among other things, that the Church teaches eternal punishment by fire for sins but not about a future glory with Jesus. Hello? Perhaps Mr. Gendron should also do a wee bit of reading.
I didn't listen to the "Doctrine of Apostates" sermon and there are no detailed comments about it so I can't comment either.
June, you put your finger on one of the problems of the Roman Catholic Church, [URL=http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/catholicscandal.htm]]]The Scandal of the Catholic Priesthood[/URL]. John Y., and others have not realized that the answer is No! to [URL=http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/_PDFArchives/roman-catholicism/RC1W0902.pdf]]]Is the One True Church Roman Catholic?[/URL]
[URL=http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/roman-catholicism/RC1105W3.htm]]]Should Roman Catholicism really be classified as a Christian religion? -- No.[/URL] In his own way, John Y., is preaching that people should not [URL=http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/roman-catholicism/RC0200W2.htm]]]Come out of the Catholic Church[/URL], but that is the [URL=http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5504151546]]]The Doctrine of Apostates[/URL].
John Y., will probably not get any benefit from your comments, but any new Catholics that come on this forum may rethink their position in the Roman Catholic Church and do come out of it.
John Y, The only priesthood recognized by God is that of Christ's. He alone has been ordained of God to make sacrifice for sin.
The Levitical priesthood established under the Mosaic Law was but a shadow, looking forward to Christ's eternal priesthood. (Heb. 7) Remember Christ came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. (Matt. 5:17)
Suggest you prayerfully read the entire book of Leviticus and then read chapters 3 thru 10 in the book of Hebrews. May God be pleased to open your eyes to these beautiful gospel truths!
Hebrews 9:24-28 "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
It is true that the problem of child abuse being perpetrated by clergy is not just a problem of the RCC but is prevelant in Protestant Churches as well. The only solution is to not permit homosexuals to enter the seminary to study to be clergy.
SNAP (Survivor’s Network for those abused by Priests) Press Statement [URL=http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2009_statements/092809_sex_abuse_rife_in_other_religions_says_vatican_snap_responds.htm ]]]http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2009_st..[/URL]
Sex abuse rife in other religions, says Vatican; SNAP responds
EXCERPT from SNAP Statement:
"In a long series of deceptive and callous statements from top Catholic officials about the church's on-going clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis, this is one of the most pathetic and disturbing. Parsing words, splitting hairs, pointing fingers, shifting blame - these are the actions of desperate politicians, not professed spiritual figures. These are self-serving public relations maneuvers that rub even more salt into the already deep and still fresh wounds of suffering adults and do nothing to protect the vulnerable.
Catholic officials relentlessly, and deceptively, pretend the scandal is strictly about individual priests committing child sex crimes It's just as much about bishops enabling and concealing child sex crimes.There are, indeed, thousands of "bad apple" predator priests. But there are as many "bad apple" bishops, and one has to question the degree to which the barrel itself is rotten."
Among Protestant churches and also among the secular community such behavior isn't tolerated and is punished by prison sentences, but the Romish Church is the one that tries to cover it up and even protect it's priests, etc. from time in prison, [URL=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/handofgod/view/]]]Hand of God[/URL] and [URL=http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=scandal2]]]The US Priest Scandal: Rome’s Strategy for Damage Limitation[/URL].
The idea that "two wrongs make a right," is even looked upon as foolishness by the secular world, there is more than abuse when one looks at [URL=http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/catholicscandal.htm]]]The Scandal of the Catholic Priesthood[/URL].
"during a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council last week."
The largest section of the community to have the most child abuse is of course the secular community. The UN would be entirely hypocritical to single out any religious entity as being alone in this evil area. It is a pity that those of the secular persuasion do not deal with iniquity, (in all mortals) as a potential in every individual. But if they did grasp this truth, then they might all become Christians.
But alas; Mk 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Dr. Alan Cairns | 8/3/2009
COMMENTS 
locked 
System Notice
