When the future Pope spoke about sexual abuse...
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Mar 15, 2013
When a priest abuses children, the bishop said, “you must never look away.” The priest should be pulled from ministry and subject to prosecution.
But should Catholic leaders worry about the potential damage to the Church’s reputation if a priest is exposed to public charges? Would it be better to camouflage the problem. “I think that is the solution that was once proposed in the United States,” said the bishop. “That is stupid.”
Who is the wise bishop who spoke in such clear and simple terms, you ask? These days he’s known simply as Francis.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
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Posted by: kwonbbl1 -
Mar. 16, 2013 1:24 AM ET USA
No sin is worse than sin of silence.
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Posted by: Miss Cathy -
Mar. 15, 2013 2:36 PM ET USA
Love! Without prosecution, with the settlements and plea deals, one is left with a sense that even the innocent are expected to perjure themselves before Christ, and are publicly ridiculed and mocked for not doing so. This is not justice, this is a travesty of justice! The Dallas Charter and Church insurers have wreaked havoc upon Christ and His Church! Such grave sins invited in order to say we have a clean house.
