Since when does money offset sin?

[legion]

This has been bothering me for a day. I usually proof-read before I post. This time I did not and my post contained numerous gramatical and spelling errors. I've gone back and corrected them.

[Superman]

By the way, there are many Christian thinkers and theologians who suspect that homosexuality is a call to the priesthood. The Bible prohibits acts of homosexuality. A person is not at fault for their feelings and inclinations. Some Christian thinkers believe that homosexual inclinations are a call to piety and chastity. A call toward a spiritual life.

I expect to be flamed for saying this, even though this is not necessarily what I think. I'm reporting how Christian thinkers interpret homosexual inclinations.

[Tobra]

Comparing predatory priests to predatory gas station clerks? Talk about apples and oranges. I must say, that is a comparison with absolutely no merit at all. Can't imagine there are any gas station attendants who have 2000 years of consolidated power behind them. Not too many people look to the pump jockey for spiritual guidance either.

Oh, and by the by, a jesuit priest is still just a man, teaching is one of the various things they do, I will give you that one. I have known plenty of folks who were very well educated but not very smart, some even were wearing their white collars.

[Superman]

Tobra, I understand the differences. I notice the Church has been in power a long time. I understand that ministers are in a position to make some terrible decisions compared to gas station clerks. You may have misunderstood my point. Somebody drew the conclusion that the proportion of priests who are pedophiles is greater than the proportion of other groups who are pedophiles, and those people are pulling those conclusions out of their asses, with no statistical basis whatsoever.

I also have noticed that there are highly educated people with no common sense. I get it. Again, you may have missed my point. Perhaps you could simply educate yourself instead of listening to me. This can be done easily by simply finding a Jesuit and attempting to embarrass him with your lofty learnings on a subject like Philosophy. Give it a try. I can predict the outcome. Your believe that priests do a variety of things is somewhat true, but just be aware that the job of a Jesuit is to teach. Period. Many of them live out their careers without EVER officiating at a Mass. Wanna find a Jesuit? They go from college to seminary, back to college (as professors) and their next stop is a retirement home.

[onewhippedpuppy]

As always Superman, well said.

I find it sad that so many take any opportunity they can to "pile on" to organized religion. Yes, the church's treatment of the priest sex scandals was appaling, and only served to make the issue worse. Yes, there are pedophiles within the priesthood. But attempting to portray this as a "Catholic problem" is nothing short of ignorant.

Anyone that has seen "To Catch a Predator" knows that these people come from every walk of life. Priests are men, they are not infallible. Man, by his very nature, is not. Their presence is a stain on all priests, but it does not mean that all priests are pedophiles (or 10% of them).

While the church, and priests, may not be perfect, they do far, far more good than evil in this world. Regardless of your feelings in regards to the church, show some respect for the love and charity that 99.9% of priests show to their fellow man. The sacrifices they make for others is truly remarkable. I may not like all of the priests I have met in these few years since I became a Catholic, but I do respect them.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by legion
This has been bothering me for a day. I usually proof-read before I post. This time I did not and my post contained numerous gramatical and spelling errors. I've gone back and corrected them.

Not to mention somewhat a lack of logic. You think the word doesn't get around? I'm sure a very small number of priests went for priesthood only to align themselves with opportunity. I will underscore a very small number because there obviously is only a small number to start with that have committed such acts (we hope).

BTW, legion, you still misspelled "gramatical".

[Aurel]

$660 millions ain`t gonna fix all that evil the catholic Church has done. $666 millions would do it

Aurel

[legion]

Originally posted by milt
Not to mention somewhat a lack of logic. You think the word doesn't get around? I'm sure a very small number of priests went for priesthood only to align themselves with opportunity. I will underscore a very small number because there obviously is only a small number to start with that have committed such acts (we hope).

BTW, legion, you still misspelled "gramatical".

No, I really don't think "word got around" in this case. I really think that most pedophile priests were probably shameful of their activities...and probably some others didn't want to kill the golden goose.

And my spelling and grammar have taken a noticeable decline since college.

[Aurel]

Anyhow, is it just me, or does this guy look like the king of perverts?



Aurel

[Dan in Pasadena]

Aurel, That is an unflattering picture, no doubt. And as a Catholic I have my differences iwth the policies of this poep. But to impugn the character of this man who has devoted his life to Church is low. Don't like the new pope's policies? Fine. Call him the "king of perverts"? Uncalled for, insulting and frankly just stupid. Advances no discussion whatsoever.

Matt was right, some will use this discussion (or any) as a way of attacking organized religion.

[island911]

Since forever.

[9catorce]

Good priests and good cops also work under the same codes of silence and brotherhood.
While I may not call the pope the "king of perverts" it is a disgusting fact that he knew about the atrocities and did nothing to stop it. Relocating the offenders only to have them molest more children doesn't paint a flattering picture of him either.

[berettafan]

alberto's point about the relocation scam is a good one. but we do need to remember that even the pope is human and as such subject to human flaws. he has sinned and will do so again.

i have major issues with Catholicism and some of what it preaches but i don't believe that the existence of perverted priests should be any reflection on the religion itself.

[Moneyguy1]

Seems as if no one has mentioned the percentage of politicians involved with "shady" sexual behavior...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Shhhhhh, we're too busy bashing Catholics.

[p911dad]

Going back to the original post, "since when does money offset sin?" I think all the LA Diocese did was dispose of a bunch of lawsuits. Period. Pretty much a lawyerly sort of settlement, no attack on sin, the same leaders are still there. If more lawsuits arise, they have more money to settle those also. Boston has done the same thing a while back. And many others. Oh yeah, a lot of wringing of hands, but c'mon, these church leaders know all about this stuff and have tried to make it go away for years.
The people who will suffer are the true Catholic believers in the little parishes that will see all that go away as the parishes get consolidated as the real estate gets sold off, and the Church continues to fail to attract new priests(I wonder why?). There must be a name for the sin the leaders are committing by their cynical dismantling of the Church in the US to protect their brothers of the cloth. May the Heavenly Father have a special surprise for them in the future.

[Tobra]

Educate myself? Could you be a little more condescending please; no, well I guess some things are just not possible. Not too tough to find a Jesuit, went to HS at one of their schools up the street. Would you like to know what the take home message was from my years there?

"Honesty is not the best policy, particularly if telling the truth could do some injury to you."

It is a long story that I have even less interest in telling than you have in hearing. Sure, there are some great guys that are Catholic Priests or even Jesuits. One of my best friends has SJ after his name now and they are lucky to have him.

They are smart, with a lot of very high quality education, I concede that to you. A point I made earlier that is pretty much at the heart of this situation is this:

The only people(smart people, with a lot of very high quality education, remember?)who know the entire story were willing to settle out for $660 million. They did this to protect themselves from having to pay even more(which they would never do unless they fully expected they would have to pay more at trial), or letting the entire truth be known(which must be pretty egregious if it is worth that much to keep it out of the papers).

The Church took some extreme steps to cover this up for a long time, and have maintained this as their policy. Are y'all so naive that you think this problem stops with the big cash payment? If so, I have a bridge I would like to sell you.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
Seems as if no one has mentioned the percentage of politicians involved with "shady" sexual behavior...

Good point, but that's case by case situation, if you get my drift.

[M.D. Holloway]

Growing up Catholic and even going to a Catholic college provided me ample opportunity to be around plenty of Priests. I never got the slightest indication that any one of them was a pediphile. A few were creepy for sure. Maybe I just didn't see it because I didn't want to. Don't know.

Would there be less incidents if the Preists were allowed to marry?

I am not sure I agree with Legion - repressing a guilt would drive you into Preisthood? So wanting a fine running car would compel me to be a mechanic? Afraid of getting sick makes me want to be a Doctor? Seems like a far stretch.

I think if you turn up the lights on other vocations, you would see all sorts of sleeze come forth.