Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Dick Reed
The moral decay of this country is continually spiraling downward and as each unacceptable condition becomes acceptable to young people and is tolerated by adults and even practiced by adults and condoned by the public, morality and Christian values are lowered.
john hurren
Do these priests not realise that a child cannot become un-molested? Jesus calls us to look after the children, not to violate their God-given right NOT to be molested.
john hurren
I must apologise for the voracity of my comments. I was a teacher for 15 years before a heart attack caused me to take early retirement. I have had to help pick up the pieces, (too many times) of broken children and indeed families of children who have been violated by Roman Catholic priests. Of course this only applies to a mercifully small amount of them. But the damage they do to the child and to the image of Christians is almost incalculable.
May God forgive me for my incredulity and anger.
Emo Tenorio
John no apology is needed when one is defending innocent children, in fact our Lord was angered by their bad treatment by His own disciples Luke 18:15-16
In the Lord's freedom.......warrior on
John Matthews
The conscious choice for celibacy is biblical. 1 Corinthians 7:32 states it very plain. If you are no longer or have never married, then don't marry. It's pretty plain. The Catholic Church has taken this stand of celibacy as a outward sign of a priestly calling.
Yes, there is abuse. But remember, not all abuse is centered on children. And all clergy run the risk of abusing those in their flock. Vulnerability is apparent in counselling sessions and the confessional. Predators will pounce on the vulnerable. It isn't just the Catholic Church's problem. It's everyone's problem. The Catholic Church is guilty of sweeping abuse under the carpet.
I could list close to 50 evangelical Christian pastors who have abused their position; adultery, homosexuality, perverted behavior to minors; the list goes on. Just suffice it to say that how someone practices their religious beliefs matters little to God. Where one prays to Jesus' mother, another prays to a statue or picture of Jesus. Are they any less closer to the Holy Spirit because they do this? Not for me to say.
Catholics love Jesus; just as all the evangelicals, protestants and Anglican believers. Loving Jesus is paramount. How you get there has to do with your personal road. Whether it's raising your voice or your arms in praise, or seeking that still small voice within you. Most roads will lead to Jesus.
This may be too simplistic for some, but needed for others. Who cares how you get there? Jesus?