I want to make one thing clear about my intentions with this blog: I do not hate nor despise the Catholic Church. There are countless positive comments one could make about the good the church does for the American people. I do believe, although, the hypocrisy that runs through the veins of the Catholic Church endangers countless innocent lives. Slowly, the credibility of the church is diminishing under leadership that is most certainly immoral and blinded by their status. Due to the pure and godly nature of the vocation, the responsibility of a Catholic Priest far surpasses the duty of a prominent social figure or politician. The profession characterizes trust in its most delicate form. For example, Catholic Priests are excepting these peoples confessions on a daily basis with a assumption that their sins will be alleviated. Now, this confidence is disturbingly violated when a trust priest decides to molest a young boy or girl inside a confessional, or anywhere else.
This disease is curable. If Catholic Priests are given the option to become married as they wish, the church would see a dramatic increase in vocations due to the flexibility of the commitment. A larger array of individuals would apply for the honored position, therefore adequate psychological evaluation and background checks could take place. In recent years, the Vatican has become increasingly more desperate in different countries around the world for men willing to devote their live to God.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Role of Homosexuality
Many Americans believe that homosexuality and sexual child abuse are mutually exclusive. This is outrageous and offensive. Take the boy scout situation with the homosexual scout leaders. Parents were afraid that just because their child's scout leader was gay, that he would in turn sexually abuse their son. How ironic, where there is no danger (Boy Scouts of America), parents are skeptical of their children's presence in a trusted organization; but where there is considerable danger (the Catholic Church), parents are completely unaware and satisfied. Parents, in some cases, are even in denial about the presence of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Kathryn Conroy, the assistant dean of Columbia University's School of Social Work, studied pedophilia and its relation to sexual orientation. "Reliable studies show that pedophiles (those adults who sexually abuse children) are overwhelmingly heterosexual. In fact, homosexuals are statistically underrepresented as those who sexually abuse children...." Though it would probably never happen due to the church's crusade against homosexuality, the church may see improvement with the scandal if they allowed homosexuals into the vocation. I know there is a separate vocation for nuns in monasteries, but what if the Vatican allowed women into the priesthood? I hate using stereotypes, but woman are far better with children and emotional awareness then men. They would make fantastic Catholic Priests. Think about it. Kathryn Conroy also stated "women have far lower rates of sexually abusing children than men do. So if the church were really serious about protecting children from sexual abuse by priests, gays would not be excluded from the priesthood and ordination would be extended to women."
Kathryn Conroy, the assistant dean of Columbia University's School of Social Work, studied pedophilia and its relation to sexual orientation. "Reliable studies show that pedophiles (those adults who sexually abuse children) are overwhelmingly heterosexual. In fact, homosexuals are statistically underrepresented as those who sexually abuse children...." Though it would probably never happen due to the church's crusade against homosexuality, the church may see improvement with the scandal if they allowed homosexuals into the vocation. I know there is a separate vocation for nuns in monasteries, but what if the Vatican allowed women into the priesthood? I hate using stereotypes, but woman are far better with children and emotional awareness then men. They would make fantastic Catholic Priests. Think about it. Kathryn Conroy also stated "women have far lower rates of sexually abusing children than men do. So if the church were really serious about protecting children from sexual abuse by priests, gays would not be excluded from the priesthood and ordination would be extended to women."
The picture is a gay priest at a gay pride parade.
Philadelphia Archdiocese: Cover-up Cases (Cont.)
The Philadelphia Archdiocese is a perfect example of the cover-up issue. So here are some examples of what they did exactly to erase the tracks.
The Archdiocese official in charge of abuse investigations described one abusive priest as “one of the sickest people I ever knew.” Yet Cardinal Bevilacqua allowed him to continue in ministry, with full access to children – until the priest scandal broke in 2002.
One abusive priest was transferred so many times that, according to the Archdiocese’s own records, they were running out of places to send him where he would not already be known.
On at least one occasion Cardinal Bevilacqua agreed to harbor a known abuser from another diocese, giving him a cover story and a neighborhood parish here because the priest’s arrest for child abuse had aroused too much controversy there. Officials referred to this sort of practice as “bishops helping bishops.”
A nun who complained about a priest who was still ministering to children – even after he was convicted of receiving child pornography – was fired from her position as director of religious education.
A seminarian studying for the priesthood who revealed that he himself had been abused as an altar boy was accused of homosexuality – and was dismissed from the diocese. He was able to become a priest only by relocating to another area.
When the Archdiocese did purport to seek psychological evaluation of a priest, the primary tool for diagnosis was “self reporting” – in other words, whether the abuser was willing to admit that he was a pedophile. Absent such a “diagnosis,” the Archdiocese declined to treat any priest as a pedophile, no matter how compelling the evidence.
Even when admitted, the abuse was excused: an Archdiocese official comforted one sexually abusive priest by suggesting that the priest had been “seduced” by his 11-year-old victim.
An Archdiocese official explained that the church could not discipline one especially egregious abuser because, as the official put it, he was not a “pure pedophile” – that is, he not only abused little boys; he also slept with women.
When one priest showed signs of seeking penance from his victims, the churchrun “treatment” facility urged Archdiocese officials to move him to another assignment away from the victims – in other words, transfer him before he apologizes again.
The Archdiocese official in charge of abuse investigations described one abusive priest as “one of the sickest people I ever knew.” Yet Cardinal Bevilacqua allowed him to continue in ministry, with full access to children – until the priest scandal broke in 2002.
One abusive priest was transferred so many times that, according to the Archdiocese’s own records, they were running out of places to send him where he would not already be known.
On at least one occasion Cardinal Bevilacqua agreed to harbor a known abuser from another diocese, giving him a cover story and a neighborhood parish here because the priest’s arrest for child abuse had aroused too much controversy there. Officials referred to this sort of practice as “bishops helping bishops.”
A nun who complained about a priest who was still ministering to children – even after he was convicted of receiving child pornography – was fired from her position as director of religious education.
A seminarian studying for the priesthood who revealed that he himself had been abused as an altar boy was accused of homosexuality – and was dismissed from the diocese. He was able to become a priest only by relocating to another area.
When the Archdiocese did purport to seek psychological evaluation of a priest, the primary tool for diagnosis was “self reporting” – in other words, whether the abuser was willing to admit that he was a pedophile. Absent such a “diagnosis,” the Archdiocese declined to treat any priest as a pedophile, no matter how compelling the evidence.
Even when admitted, the abuse was excused: an Archdiocese official comforted one sexually abusive priest by suggesting that the priest had been “seduced” by his 11-year-old victim.
An Archdiocese official explained that the church could not discipline one especially egregious abuser because, as the official put it, he was not a “pure pedophile” – that is, he not only abused little boys; he also slept with women.
When one priest showed signs of seeking penance from his victims, the churchrun “treatment” facility urged Archdiocese officials to move him to another assignment away from the victims – in other words, transfer him before he apologizes again.
Case Study- The Philadephia Archidiocese: What is Happening? (Warning- Graphic)
In 2005, a grand jury indicted a 415-page report that uncovered years upon years of corruption within the archdiocese, specifically by cardinals John Krol and Anthony Bevilacqua. They too, like Mahoney, engaged in "recycling" priests to unsuspecting parishes where they would be able to do severe harm to young children. "The Grand Jury was able to document child sex abuse by at least 63 different priests in the Philadelphia Archdiocese... Evidence also revealed hundreds of child victims of these sexual offenders." (Official Report of the District Attorney). Now to be a bit graphic to really get across my point... the priests didn't just participate in "inappropriate touching", they raped these young people, raped them orally, anally, and vaginally. Many were also molested, asked to participate in bondage practices, and asked to watch pornography. Here are a few specific cases that are elaborated upon within the report.
An 11-year-old girl was repeatedly raped by a priest who took her for an abortion when she became pregnant.
A fifth grader was molested by a priest inside a confessional.
A teenage girl was groped by a priest while she lay immobilized in traction in a hospital room.
A priest offered money to boys in exchange for sadomasochistic acts of bondage and wrote a letter asking a boy to make him his “slave.” The priest remains in ministry.
A sadistic priest enjoyed having children play the roles of Jesus and other biblical characters in parish Passion plays. He made them disrobe and whip each other until they had cuts, bruises and welts.
A priest falsely told a 12-year-old boy his mother knew of the assaults and consented to the rape of her son.
After reading these accounts, I'm sitting here, literally depressed and on the verge of tears. This is innocence lost at the hands of a selfish bastard priest. It's sick and disgusting to even think about, but people need to read about these perverted offenses committed against young people, so I will continue. Now you're probably asking yourself How did they cover this up? The church, cognizant of the abuse, chose not to investigate the alleged crimes. Parents were never alerted of the potential danger that their children could encounter. The church retailed against and intimidated those who threatened to come forward about the abuse. A false impression of action was created by manipulative "treatment" efforts.
An 11-year-old girl was repeatedly raped by a priest who took her for an abortion when she became pregnant.
A fifth grader was molested by a priest inside a confessional.
A teenage girl was groped by a priest while she lay immobilized in traction in a hospital room.
A priest offered money to boys in exchange for sadomasochistic acts of bondage and wrote a letter asking a boy to make him his “slave.” The priest remains in ministry.
A sadistic priest enjoyed having children play the roles of Jesus and other biblical characters in parish Passion plays. He made them disrobe and whip each other until they had cuts, bruises and welts.
A priest falsely told a 12-year-old boy his mother knew of the assaults and consented to the rape of her son.
After reading these accounts, I'm sitting here, literally depressed and on the verge of tears. This is innocence lost at the hands of a selfish bastard priest. It's sick and disgusting to even think about, but people need to read about these perverted offenses committed against young people, so I will continue. Now you're probably asking yourself How did they cover this up? The church, cognizant of the abuse, chose not to investigate the alleged crimes. Parents were never alerted of the potential danger that their children could encounter. The church retailed against and intimidated those who threatened to come forward about the abuse. A false impression of action was created by manipulative "treatment" efforts.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Facts to Consider: Popes Aren't Perfect
Popes who were married
St. Peter, Apostle
St. Felix III 483-492 (2 children)
St. Hormidas 514-523 (1 son)
St. Silverus (Antonia) 536-537
Hadrian II 867-872 (1 daughter)
Clement IV 1265-1268 (2 daughters)
Felix V 1439-1449 (1 son)
Popes who had illegitimate children after 1139
Innocent VIII 1484-1492 - several children
Alexander VI 1492-1503 - several children
Julius 1503-1513 - 3 daughters
Paul III 1534-1549 - 3 sons, 1 daughter
Pius IV 1559-1565 -3 sons
Gregory XIII 1572-1585 -1 son
*From http://www.futurechurch.org/
Even the individuals who are supposed to exemplify the doctrines of the Catholic Church stray from the constriction of the Catholic Church. It does not make sense that these people are role models for other Catholic religious leaders and they can't even abide by such a significant religious doctrine. This inconsistency in the church may arouse questions of the Catholic Churches credibility with their own policies.
St. Peter, Apostle
St. Felix III 483-492 (2 children)
St. Hormidas 514-523 (1 son)
St. Silverus (Antonia) 536-537
Hadrian II 867-872 (1 daughter)
Clement IV 1265-1268 (2 daughters)
Felix V 1439-1449 (1 son)
Popes who had illegitimate children after 1139
Innocent VIII 1484-1492 - several children
Alexander VI 1492-1503 - several children
Julius 1503-1513 - 3 daughters
Paul III 1534-1549 - 3 sons, 1 daughter
Pius IV 1559-1565 -3 sons
Gregory XIII 1572-1585 -1 son
*From http://www.futurechurch.org/
Even the individuals who are supposed to exemplify the doctrines of the Catholic Church stray from the constriction of the Catholic Church. It does not make sense that these people are role models for other Catholic religious leaders and they can't even abide by such a significant religious doctrine. This inconsistency in the church may arouse questions of the Catholic Churches credibility with their own policies.
The Woman's Role
“Nothing is so powerful in drawing the spirit of a man downwards as the caresses of a woman.” This quote was made by St. Augustine in 401 A.D. in response to the recent prohibition of marriage in the church. Many inferences, throughout my research, have been made about the association between unholy acts and sexual conduct with women. I know this sounds a little bit astray from the molestation issue, but this disillusion contributes to the situation as a whole. There are various other reasons why Catholic Priests should be allowed to participate in the HOLY act of marriage, and this blog addresses those issues.
The Catholic Church has made sex an immoral act when associated with religion. Sexual desire is intrinsically evil in the eyes of the church; this was even verbalized in 590 A.D. by Pope Gregory "The Great". Now think about this, sexual desire is perceived as an immoral act for religious leaders and unmarried individuals, but these suppressed evil desires have caused inhumane acts in religious leaders to arise via children and even married women. Now what's more evil, molesting an adolescent or having sex with your wife? Is it worth it to have this potential situation (sexual abuse, affairs, etc.) loom over the head of the Catholic Church? Priests were actually married for a long time in the church, they were just now permitted to have sex. There is a reason why God gave people body parts that transmit sexual pleasure, and many of us (I hope for your sake) have experienced that first hand. In today's contemporary society, hormones that arouse (no pun intended) sexual tension start to kick in much earlier than the accepted age of marriage.
The Catholic Church has made sex an immoral act when associated with religion. Sexual desire is intrinsically evil in the eyes of the church; this was even verbalized in 590 A.D. by Pope Gregory "The Great". Now think about this, sexual desire is perceived as an immoral act for religious leaders and unmarried individuals, but these suppressed evil desires have caused inhumane acts in religious leaders to arise via children and even married women. Now what's more evil, molesting an adolescent or having sex with your wife? Is it worth it to have this potential situation (sexual abuse, affairs, etc.) loom over the head of the Catholic Church? Priests were actually married for a long time in the church, they were just now permitted to have sex. There is a reason why God gave people body parts that transmit sexual pleasure, and many of us (I hope for your sake) have experienced that first hand. In today's contemporary society, hormones that arouse (no pun intended) sexual tension start to kick in much earlier than the accepted age of marriage.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Deliver Us From Evil
I finally managed to find the first half hour of Amy Berg's "Deliver Us From Evil". If you have the time to sit down and watch this, it is a powerful and mind altering documentary.
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
How Entrenched is this Corruption?
The Catholic Church has been a hypocritical and questionable religious organization from the beginning. Ironically, the first pope, Peter, and the apostles that Jesus chose were for the most part married men. Hm, now why would Jesus allow the people he would be closely counting on to be married if he thought marriage would inhibit their ability to "preach the gospel to every creature"(Mark 16:15-16). A previlent reason behind the churches decision of celibacy has been the thought that married priests would not sufficiently adhere to demands of the vocation. Then why would Jesus entrust these MARRIED individuals with such a demanding and significant task of faith.
In the ninth century, Council of Aix-la-Chapelle openly admitted that abortions and infanticide took place in convents and monasteries to cover up activities of uncelibate clerics. Now does this sound familiar? Cover-ups with the Catholic Church date back a thousand years ago. Makes a person wonder what cover-ups the world hasn't caught. In 1095, Pope Urban II had priests wives sold into slavery and children abandoned.
When looking back on the history of the Catholic Church, there are countless inconsistent attitudes on the topic of celibacy by popes. St. Ulrich, a holy bishop, argued from scripture and common sense that the only way to purify the church from the worst excesses of celibacy was to permit priests to marry.
In the ninth century, Council of Aix-la-Chapelle openly admitted that abortions and infanticide took place in convents and monasteries to cover up activities of uncelibate clerics. Now does this sound familiar? Cover-ups with the Catholic Church date back a thousand years ago. Makes a person wonder what cover-ups the world hasn't caught. In 1095, Pope Urban II had priests wives sold into slavery and children abandoned.
When looking back on the history of the Catholic Church, there are countless inconsistent attitudes on the topic of celibacy by popes. St. Ulrich, a holy bishop, argued from scripture and common sense that the only way to purify the church from the worst excesses of celibacy was to permit priests to marry.
Cardinal Roger Mahoney Doesn't Care About Your Children
Roger Mahoney has willingly put the children of Los Angeles and Orange County in danger by transferring priests from parish to parish. Mahoney's interest lies in the reputation of the church, not in the safety of California's children. This issue became even more prevalent recently with Cardinal Mahoney's decision to only require a sworn affidavit of those who wish to work with children in the church, instead of the more effective and thorough background check. This decision was made in consideration of the amount of Catholic illegal immigrants who travel to the United States every year.Now this is ridiculous; the Catholic Church is expecting individuals who might have a criminal record to be honest with a simple sworn affidavit. This is basically inviting sexual predators into the church because all they have to do is lie about their criminal history, and they're in! Is the presence of immigrants so important that we will put children in danger just to have a little volunteer help?
"They are just trying to be too politically correct, even though it means putting the kids at risk," said Rita Milla, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles-area Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. "If someone can't prove who they are, they shouldn't be volunteering." The safety of Catholic children should be the first of the churches concerns, especially after the eruption of molestation charges in 2002. When will he learn?
I thought the cartoon was going to be a joke when I first looked at it, but apparently a volunteer for the Church drew it.
Check out this insincere apology by Mahoney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOtuMDEOohg
Check out this insincere apology by Mahoney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOtuMDEOohg
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Cardinal Mahoney Vs. Pope Benedict
The influence of the two of these individuals is not even remotely comparable, but their approach to taking responsibility for the sex abuse scandals in the last five years should be one in the same. Pope Benedict XVI made a visit to the United States this month to enact stadium size masses and address the looming issues of the Catholic Church. The pope hit a home run with this visit, he spoke of the "deep shame" of the Catholic Church at nearly every prayer service, visited abuse victims privately, accepted a book containing the names of 1,500 victims from Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley.
Now here is my issue with the situation: what really has come of this visit besides some effective PR tactics? The world needs some action taken, not a bunch of apologies that we have heard fifty times before. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate Pope Benedict's attempt to appease American Catholics, but action needs to take place to truly mend the hearts of Catholic children and parents. If the Vatican approves a concrete doctrine that allows priests to marry, it is a step in the right direction towards an abuse free organization.
Now lets talk Mahoney, the only step in the right direction we've seen from this guy is an insincere apology that can be read by a third grader. The Los Angeles Archdiocese has repeatedly insinuated that the sexual abuse cases are merely being blown up by the media in an effort for ratings. At least the Pope has addressed the issue directly and not snuck around the issue.
Now here is my issue with the situation: what really has come of this visit besides some effective PR tactics? The world needs some action taken, not a bunch of apologies that we have heard fifty times before. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate Pope Benedict's attempt to appease American Catholics, but action needs to take place to truly mend the hearts of Catholic children and parents. If the Vatican approves a concrete doctrine that allows priests to marry, it is a step in the right direction towards an abuse free organization.
Now lets talk Mahoney, the only step in the right direction we've seen from this guy is an insincere apology that can be read by a third grader. The Los Angeles Archdiocese has repeatedly insinuated that the sexual abuse cases are merely being blown up by the media in an effort for ratings. At least the Pope has addressed the issue directly and not snuck around the issue.
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