Mexican bishop links pornography, sex education to scandal
April 19, 2010
A Mexican bishop said on April 15 that pornography and sex education have contributed to a climate in which clerical abuse can take place.
“If on television and on the Internet and in so many media outlets there is pornography, it is very difficult to stay pure and chaste,” said Bishop Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel of San Cristóbal de Las Casas in Chiapas. “With so much invasion of eroticism, sometimes it's not easy to stay celibate or to respect children.”
“When there is generalized sexual licentiousness, it is more common to have pederasty.”
Bishop Arizmendi also criticized sex education programs, prompting a rebuke from the nation’s education secretary.
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Further information:
- Mexico bishop says porn, tv to blame for priest abuse (Reuters)
- Mexico rejects church criticism of sex education (AP)
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Posted by: -
Apr. 19, 2010 8:23 PM ET USA
I have this hair-brained idea that if the pope, cardinals, bishops, and priests would preach the fear of sin, death, and hell as if they mean it, that society would begin to clean itself up.
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Posted by: -
Apr. 19, 2010 8:16 PM ET USA
This Mexican Bishop needs a dose of realism - the sin (collectively) committed by the Catholic Church by some misguided members, is the result of lack of personal discipline caused by lack of chastity, lack of humility and lack of abandonment. In short it is lack of love for God replaced by love for self. Isn't it time for those who are at fault to just say "I am sorry!" and "Please Forgive us." rather than blame everyone and everything else.
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Posted by: -
Apr. 19, 2010 6:58 PM ET USA
I'm surprised that NO BISHOP has yet hit the nail on this one: mortification and a life a virtue (prayer and penance) are true and tested methods in avoiding temptations (or being strong against them)and you won't find one saint who hasn't practiced both...arduously !
