Op-Ed: Pope retreating in face of massive sex cover-up

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If anyone thinks one of the few popes in the history of the church to resign is doing so because of his health they should think again.  For centuries catholic priests have been abusing their office by abusing children, primarily boys, and that practice continues to this day.

Church releases files on alleged widespread abuse.  Pic courtesy of wisn.com.
Church releases files on alleged widespread abuse. Pic courtesy of wisn.com.

A 300 page report addressing an investigation into sexual corruption within the church hit the pope’s podium a few weeks ago and it was clear that rampant pedophilia was still being covered up, priests were being blackmailed by male prostitutes and such behavior was even taking place among the scarlet robed cardinals, the princes of the church.

The Catholics are leaders when it comes to decrying homosexuality, claiming that Jesus called such behavior an abomination when in point of fact the proverbial Jesus never said one word about it.  The Catholics, above all others, are the ultimate homophobes and yet as an organization, they likely have more pedophiles in their ranks than any other.

Pope Benedict’s final stretch at the Vatican isn’t exactly a quiet one. A spokesman lashed out today against “unverified, unverifiable or completely false news stories” that he says have been circulating in recent days. The Rev. Federico Lombardi didn’t get into specifics, but he is no doubt referring to the sensational allegations in one of Italy’s biggest newspapers that a network of gay priests inside the Vatican was being blackmailed by outsiders, reports the Independent.

As expected the Catholic Press Corps, not unlike the White House Press Corps, is scrambling to cover up the cover up, hopeful that it will all blow over, with minimal damage to Holy Mother Church, and the Papacy itself.

Lombardi says enemies of the church are not only trying to discredit the Vatican as riven by infighting and controversy but to influence the selection of the next pope. He didn’t spell out just how that might happen, but the AP speculates: “Some Vatican watchers have speculated that because the Vatican bureaucracy is heavily Italian, cardinals might be persuaded to elect a non-Italian, non-Vatican-based cardinal as pope to try to impose some reform on the Curia.” Benedict gives his final Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Square tomorrow.

The church is about politics, and God and all of the mindless trappings is just the product they peddle.  The hierarchy, such as the bishops and cardinals, live in  luxury, with limousines, drivers, bodyguards, housekeepers, and of course lavish quarters.  There is little thought of rescuing the poor when one reaches the heady heights of scarlet robes and heavy gold crosses, not to mention the silly hats.

Over the next several weeks I expect the guilty will be scrambling, just like politicians to lobbyists and corporate protectors,  to prevent the truth from reaching the world.  Sadly, the truth is already out there, and given the fact that there are billions of members of the church, no one seems to care, so it’s business as usual with the Catholics and is representative of religious corruption the world over.  For shame.

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Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.
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Linh
10 years ago

I hear the new pope is actually trying to set up laws protecting against child abuse, since evidently they didn’t even exist before.
On the other hand, some are saying that the changes are just to placate the public and won’t actually do anything, so there you go.

Another thing is, he’s also tightening up information leaks. What is so sensitive that a religious organization can’t tell others about it? Is there a secret Vatican vampire hunting organization or something?

Dave Wren
11 years ago

The ignorance of the Right has reared its ugly head in the form of an illiterate troll named “rambo ike.” Now why doesn’t that surprise me. The troll attacks the article but fails to provide the evidence that disputes the original conclusions. His rambles about communism, leftist propaganda, and etc., are examples of the ignorance that represents America’s conservative wing. He fails to notice that this is an op-ed, an opinion editorial, and not a scholarly paper submitted to an academic committee. Unlike “ike” however, the writing is clearly scholarly, and there are no structural errors such as are replete in “rambo’s posts.”

Mike I admire you for tolerating such fools. You are a better guy than I…..

James I’m with you all the way on this one man.

Reply to  Dave Wren
11 years ago

Well-put. “Ya done good, kid.”

Thanks for the support.

BTW, Mike’s a better guy than almost anyone, but you seem to already know that.

11 years ago

As I expected you have ignored my direct questions and again failed to provide any citations or verifiable references to anything you have posted.

You made the claims so the burden of proof is on you. I know theists like to deny that is true, but it doesn’t change the facts.

Of course you “didn’t see it” when I pointed out the fallacies in your comprehension of the truth of communism and socialism as used by totalitarian regimes. It’s far easier to just believe than to think. That’s the foundation of religion and most (not all) conservative thinking.

So far, you have not tried to prove a thing, but only add more bluster and bluffing. Here’s an open invitation. Prove anything I have posted is not true. You have already declined to prove anything you have said is true. I suspect most will understand why that is.

Rambo Ike
Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

You’re quite the bloviator, evasive, and skewering reality. I gather – based on the limited amount of comments I’ve read so far – you’re the leader of the pact.

So lets try it again. From my own personal experience when posting up Op-Ed articles – which exceeds 100 – I had to take responsibility for the content. If statements within were challenged I had 2 options. One was to bring proof to back up the statements or admit it was a fallacy. The latter, which I had to do on some occasions, kept my integrity intact.

I did not point the finger at any one. I am challenging the statement in the article: “Catholics…………have more pedophiles in their ranks than any other.” When I stated “Is any research done before posting them up?” that was meant in a constructive way.

Somewhere in a thread [I don’t know where] you used the Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, and the Witch Hunts to further advance your obviously bias beliefs. The question I have is, what are you comparing it to? The aftermath of 90 years of what has become known as ‘big C’ Communism? Naziism? Islamic theocracies? Trying to read between the lines of your bloviating, it looks like you’re trying to separate Marx & Engles work from what started with the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.

For your shadow, the elitist Dave Wren:

I don’t claim to be scholarly. If that was a prerequisite to beable to comment online then more than 1/2 of those participating would have to shut down. As my 8th grade nun told my parents at one of them very uncomfortable parent-teacher meetings: “If we only had the english grade to go on he wouldn’t be moving on to high school”

The owner doesn’t have to tolerate me. Banning is easy. I’ll add this site to my list of Drive by Far-Left that I periodically check to see if there are any articles posted that I might be interested in reading, or I’ll drop it from my boomarks. The choice is yours.

Reply to  Rambo Ike
11 years ago

First, you mean “pack” not “pact”. Because a spell checker wouldn’t catch that and yo0u clearly have no interest in checking your posts, we’ll have to let you slide on that one.

Keep your integrity intact? Did you find a store where you could buy some?

AS always, you have evaded answering any questions or attempting to prove anything you post has the slightest resemblance to facts.

But maybe you get a perverse thrill from exposing your lack of intellect and honesty in public?

FYI, I am not the one that said Catholics have more pedophiles than an other group. They do seem to be caught more often, that might be an indication.

I also notice how you focus on the ancient crimes I mentioned and conveniently ignore the current ones like gay bashing. It must be very helpful to have such a selective memory why you do not have an intellectual leg for support.

Rambo Ike
Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

It’s the old “Pot Calling The Kettle Black” routine. I’ve noticed in almost every response you made to me a few errors in grammar but haven’t mentioned it. Imagine, if I, a poor student of the subject can see a few, how many do you think the gurus are seeing?

Are you sure I made an error on ‘Pact’? Pact is synonymous with covenant, as in a ‘godless covenant’. Aren’t you leading that group? ~grin~ You’re right, it was a typing error on my part.

Re: “AS always, you have evaded answering any questions or attempting to prove anything you post has the slightest resemblance to facts.”

I have no idea what you’re talking about. What do I have to prove? I’m the one asking for proof regarding a statement.

Re: “FYI, I am not the one that said Catholics have more pedophiles than an other group. They do seem to be caught more often, that might be an indication.”

True, you didn’t, but you’re the most vocal one promoting the Big Lie – shades of Goebbels.

Re: “I also notice how you focus on the ancient crimes I mentioned and conveniently ignore the current ones like gay bashing.”

No group as a patent on gay bashing. You conveniently overlook that some of the people that have been vocal about the subject see it as being against their beliefs, while in other countries gays are executed for their sexual lifestyle. I don’t believe in atheistism or a Godless society and would speak out against both, but I wouldn’t support any harm coming to you for promoting both.

You brought up the ancient crimes as a way to bash Christians. Have you ever taken the time to study what you’ve posted, or is it because some far-Left propaganda site spewed it and it reflected what you wanted to hear/see you swallowed it as the truth. All of it together wouldn’t make a good year for Stalin’s secret police & assassination squads.

Reply to  Rambo Ike
11 years ago

Tell me, exactly what grammatical errors have you seen in my posts. I’m not saying there have not been any, but you have an opportunity to prove something you say is true. How can you let that pass?

“Pack” is a group. I have made no pact, an agreement, with anyone.

I have invited you numerous times to prove that anything I have said is not true. You have never even acknowledged those invitations.

Exactly what “big lie” am I leading? Again, prove a single word I have posted is not true., Each time you ignore that open invitation, you appear that much worse.

You are changing the subject because you cannot deny that the RCC is one of the leading groups opposing gays. They are often exposed for gay behavior themselves, as they were only last week. You hope to ignore that, too? BTW, I never said the RCC is the only group, they are a cheerleader and coach for those that do, though. Do you wish to deny that, too? Probably because facts are not part of your world view,

You oppose an atheists society? Then you want to impose your beliefs, that have not a shred of evidence supporting them, upon everyone? What will you do to enforce your will upon those that do not agree? You think imposing your sick beliefs upon them is not harming people?

Are you saying what I have posted about ancient and current crimes of christians are not true? Again, prove your point. Maybe for just once in your life instead of spewing your right-wing propaganda?

What has Stalin have to do with any of this? As usual, you right-wing nuts invoke Stalin and Hitler to try to muddy the waters.

Answer the questions, prove your points. So far all you have been able to prove is that you evade, dissemble, and prevaricate.

Rambo Ike
Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

I’m the last person who should be criticising anyone on grammar with all the mistakes I make, and wouldn’t have brought it up if you and your shadow hadn’t have been so petty. Look through your replies to me and you’ll see them along with mistakes in spelling & punctuation.

Re: “I have invited you numerous times to prove that anything I have said is not true. You have never even acknowledged those invitations.” “Exactly what “big lie” am I leading? Again, prove a single word I have posted is not true., Each time you ignore that open invitation, you appear that much worse.”

The Big Lies: (1)”Catholics…………have more pedophiles in their ranks than any other.” (2)”What a shame that an organization of such power and scope that could be a positive force in the world has instead been a destructive evil for so many centuries {even Herr Goebbels can’t top that].”

Even though you attempt to selectively use ancient history to smear christians and more precisely catholics, you have no grasp of the truth.

From the early Greek writers of Western Philosophy and the Bible, both were mostly carried forward through the centuries by the Christians [including the catholics], which resulted in America’s founding documents. Ideas, principles, beliefs and values that gave the world a liberty and individual freedom never seen before in all of recorded history. The Catholic Church gave special honor to the pagan Cicero [my favorite philosopher] for his writings on ‘narural law & rights’.

The Church has its beliefs when it comes to the homosexual lifestyle, just like you have your atheist/anti-God & beliefs that the majority of the world don’t agree with you on. If your up for the challenge I’ll, at a later time, point out the flaws in your beliefs.

The problem with using the ancient crimes you used to smear Christians is the records aren’t accurate and the experts are mostly estimating, and of course you don’t want to make any comparison because there were worse evils going on in the world at the same time. With the Crusades you’re being narrow minded and only providing one side of it. What were the reasons for the Crusades?

What I was giving you on history is still in living memory, people still alive that can provide a 1st hand account, to what the Nazis, Communists, and Muslims did and still are doing. The Catholic Church with the Pope stood against all 3 of them in the last century. All 3 were loosely joined at the hip. Hitler’s largest 3rd Reich army was muslims, known as the Hanzers. Hitler & Stalin made a pact, and proceeded to start WWII when they both attacked Poland. The 3 socialist monsters; Stalin, Hitler, and Mao is responsible for murdering more people in the last century than all of previously recorded history combined. Again, the Catholic Church stood against all 3 of them.

On a quick check on gay bashing I came upon something that totallly shocked me: Brazil leads the world in the murdering of gays. About 1 every 30+ hours. Checking further to find the reason I came upon a Wikipedia article that points out the drop in catholics and the rise in atheism. The change in beliefs looks to correlate with what is taking place.

Reply to  Rambo Ike
11 years ago

I agree, you are not a person who should be criticizing grammar. You claimed I had made many errors. I asked you to show them to me, and you did not. You tried to change the subject be denying what I said is not true. I asked for proof. Apparently, you believe that dislike and denial is proof.

First of all, I never said that “catholics have more pedophiles in their ranks than any other group.” You also seem to have problems keeping your whining straight. I did say, that catholics priests are getting more attention for pedophilia because of their position and the hypocrisy of their actions. But you keep believing what makes you feel good. That’s much easier than dealing with facts.

Next, you are spreading the lie that the USA was founded upon christian principles. That is a lie promoted by christians to make it easier to impose their sick beliefs upon everyone else.

I have tons of evidence that the founding fathers were at best, deists, not christians and more likely “free thinkers”, a more acceptable term politically. That’s similar to using “agnostic” today instead of “atheist.”

Again, more christian BS. “Anti-god?” I was waiting for you to trot out that old saw. No, I do not “hate god.” How can you hate anything that does not and never has existed? Do environmentalists hate Paul Bunyan for chopping down all those trees? It doesn’t matter how many people accept the knowledge (not beliefs) of atheists. The truth is still the truth even if no one believes it. A lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it.

What were the reasons for the crusades? Anyone can rationalize almost any action. That doesn’t make the actions good? I am sure Stalin, Pol Pot, and other tyrants had rationalized their actions, too. Did that make them right?

I also knew you would bring up the old Stalin, Hitler, and Mao nonsense. You are not only uneducated, you are unoriginal. None of those people were socialists or communists. They co-opted those terms to disguise what they really were; ruthless totalitarian dictators.

He RCC did not stand against them. I have pictures of cardinals giving the Nazi salute and the pope personally greeting Hitler. The RCC made a deal with Hitler in order to gain the Vatican as an independent country. Study your history.

I see you again try to change the subject by bringing the record of Brazil into it. Here are a couple more facts for you. Brazil is a nominally catholic country and has been affected by it very badly. Also, the largest gay pride parade in the world is held in São Paulo each year.

I see you are determined to remain voluntarily ignorant. Well, that IS a lot easier than thinking. Then there will be no facts to upset your cherished delusions.

I have limited time to devote to trying to educate the stubbornly stupid. You have used up all of yours. I also realize that, for someone of poor self-esteem, having the last word is very important. You have the floor. Maybe you’ll actually use it to produce some proof of my grammatical errors or to prove anything I have posted is not true. Maybe, you’ll even attempt to prove something you have posted is true? Stranger things have happened.

Rambo Ike
Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

Finding your grammar, spelling & punctuation errors is a case where you can find the proof by reviewing your own posts or have one of your fellow comrades points them out to you. Too petty for me to be dealing with.

I wasn’t going to reply but after thinking about it I realized I would be doing a disservice by not helping out someone as unfortunate & misguided as you are by not providing them with the truth. After this response to you I’ll wait a couple days to see your response before deleting this site from my bookmarks. I won’t be posting again and you definitely will have the ‘Last Word’. Please, research some of what I’ve posted. Your understanding of history is a complete distortion on the subject matter discussed, and even worse, from reading some of the comments to the articles, I find most of your comrades have the same problem. It’s like the Blind leading the Blind. With most of this subject matter I’ve been in the trenches engaging Leftys for alot of years, and have helped many with their questions through email that post on other blogs.

Eventhough I know better, if asked for my opinion on what I’ve seen posted here by what I’ve called a Godless Covenant, I’d say it looks like they got degrees in history & political science from Germany’s Frankfurt School of Critical Theory with marxist Gramsci as their instructor. It wouldn’t be that far-fetched,

In your February 24, 2013 at 5:45 pm reply to me you say “You made the claims so the burden of proof is on you.” That’s not true. Claims were made by you and the writer of the OP-Ed with statements denigrating Catholics, the Pope & Church. You became the vocal one responding to me and I asked for some proof to back up what I see as complete fallacies.

The following is not in anyway detailed, just some quick notes on the subjects from memory after reading your statements. I would need to do some research to remember some of the finer points:

I didn’t say the USA was founded on Christian principles, but a more correct statement would of been to say the most quoted source by the Framers of America’s founding documents were the Judeo-Christian Principles found in the Bible. Following that were the European & Greco-Roman writers of Western Philosophy. Professor Donald Lutz & colleague from the University of Houston did the research on it. The period covered was from about 1760 to 1800. The Bible was cited at least 4 times more than the 2nd most used source.

The Founders were mostly Christians with a hand full of Deists. Deism is theistic. The difference is the deists don’t believe God is influencing their lives. In the Declaration, America’s primary founding document, the most famous of all the founding statements is the “Self-evident Truths”. Where it says “endowed by our Creator”, that is something that would be from a Christian’s perspective/view of God. At the ending of the Declaration the Founders used the term “divine Providence” {God’s will] which is from the Christian belief. Check out the Wall Builders website with David Barton.

Facts and statistics on the Crusades are unreliable. Basically it was the Christians attempting to retake the Holy Land that the muslims had conquered centuries earlier.

I have listened to and read more than a 100 videos & articles by those that lived inside the Iron Curtain [Soviet Union controlled] and in every case when giving a 1st hand account of what they lived under they used the word “communism” to describe it. The Nazis weren’t all that different. It was mostly a sibling rivalry in the same Totalitarian House on the far-Left. As Hitler stated, “If I could recruit them, the Bolsheviks would make excellent National Socialists.”

The Nazi salute is actually the Roman Salute. It was mentioned in Cicero’s writings, it was used by American school children for about 50 years [approx: 1890 – 1940] when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and dropped by FDR because of Hitler starting WWII, it has been used by many groups throughout history. When it became of official use in pre-WWII Germany most, but not all, including catholics, used it as a greeting. The same goes for the Swastika. Russian troops used it before Hitler, in WWI it was on US planes, and used by the US army, it is also on many building across America and throughout the world. Hitler wasn’t original – he stole from everybody.

The Catholic Church stood against the tyranny of both Hitler & Stalin, and as a matter of fact, there was a point during that period when Pope Pius, the War Pope, was going it alone – no America, no British Commonwealth. Through most of the ’30s he had to deal with Stalin on a mission to destroy all the churches in areas under his godless control. Had it not been for WWII Stalin would have succeeded.

The Pope was threatened by the Nazis to stop speaking out against them or else they were going to destroy whole villages including the nuns. Pius toned it down but he still operated a Catholic Underground helping to save the Jews. Btw, there were more people of the christian faith murdered in the extermination camps than any other faith. The deal you write about was 2-fold: 1st for all practical purposes the Pope was under a type of house arrest where his movement and what he could say publicly were limited, and 2nd he had to be agreeable because the Vatican area was being used as a harbor to hide Jews. After the War jewish groups publicly recognized his help. Only other deal I can think of at this moment is the Concordat. That was an agreement made when Hitler came to power between the Vatican & new 3rd Reich government. A standard form that had been used since the 12th century between the Vatican and goverments. Basically allowing the Church and catholics the freedom to follow/practice their faith in a country.

The bigger problem started during the aftermath of the War when Hitler Youth Groups, godless communists, and a small faction of Jews attacked the Pope and Church as a way to water down guilt of their involvement in the atrocities that took place. It has been several years and so I don’t know if she is still alive but Sister Margherita, known as the “Fighting Nun”, gives an true account of what happened regarding Pope Pius & the Church during the War.

I brought up Brazil due to the Gay Bashing which was part of the subject. Brazil has the world’s largest catholic population, but since 2000 has decreased about 10%, while at the same time the atheist population has increased along with a rise in the murdering of gay people. Brazil leads the world in the murdering of gays.

You can lead a horse to water, but can you make it drink? In your case I hope you at least check further on what I’ve posted – it’s the TRUTH.

Reply to  Rambo Ike
11 years ago

Yep, exactly as I said, you evade answering even simple questions. I know throw the prevaricator flag and the BS flag. While I’m at it, let’s toss in the willfully ignorant, and stubbornly stupid flags, too.

You have no proof so that’s why you’re a liar and an intellectual and ethical coward. Now, take the last word so your pitiful lack of self-esteem can be satisfied that you have “won.”

11 years ago

I wonder where are your references? You make absolute statements and expect people to believe you without any supporting evidence. Well, that’s the theist way. Evidence is unnecessary and even dangerous.

Exactly what “leftist propaganda? Please furnish verifiable proof.

DO you realize that you have never replied to a single question or request for proof of your statements here? You may also be unaware of how that affects your credibility.

Rambo Ike is riding roughshod with ignorance and deceit.

Please prove your statements or just admit they are nothing more than your opinion.

Rambo Ike
Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

On my 1st posting here the majority of it was deleted and as a whole painted with a broad brush stroke as lies. Separately, not one element of any of it was debunked.

Not sure but I think I’ve only made 4 comments here.

You were supposed to educate me on ‘C’ommunism after claiming I didn’t know what I was talking about – I didn’t see it. My position was Marxist’s theory was the influence for the Bolsheviks, Leninism, Trotskyism, and provide the mask for Stalin to play Machiavelli.

I pointed out comparing Clinton to Dominici didn’t equate, so you tried to justify it did with some irrelevant spinning.

You ask for references but I see no citations contradicting what I called “many fallacious statements being made”. As in: “The Catholics, above all others, are the ultimate homophobes and yet as an organization, they have more pedophiles in their ranks than any other.”

Rambo Ike
11 years ago

Re: “The Catholics, above all others, are the ultimate homophobes and yet as an organization, they have more pedophiles in their ranks than any other.”

That’s an absolute falsehood of the highest order.

For a site where many have claimed to be connected to Academia I’ve seen a good numer of these fallacious comments posted as fact on many subjects. Is any research done before posting them up? Falling in lockstep & swallowing the Leftist propaganda coming from Obama’s Gov’t controlled lapdog media will get your minds brainwashed, and the intellectually honest poking fun at yas.

I marked this site last year for the Conservative 100 list when DBKP went down. Didn’t pay any attention to the spewings here until a couple weeks ago. The anti-theism stands out, and the cultural marxists Critical Theory looks to be the modus operandi.

Some of the other points made on the Catholic Church I can agree with, but they’re not alone. There has been numbers of bad actors in any group throughout history.

This subject came up years back over the Boston Cardinal and it was pointed out then that as a group the catholic clergy in America was well below the average of other groups. Roughly just under 4/10 of 1% of the total. I’d guess the muslims of the Islamic faith would head the list.

As always,
Rambo Ike {riding roughshod over ignorance & deceit]

Anonymous
Reply to  Rambo Ike
11 years ago

To whom do wou attribute the quote:
“The Catholics, above all others, are the ultimate homophobes and yet as an organization, they have more pedophiles in their ranks than any”
I noticed that you didn’t put it in quotation marks, but there was no reference to who said it. If you are going to claim that it’s totally untrue, then I agreed that some reference is required!

Rambo Ike
Reply to  Anonymous
11 years ago

Since noone else has responded to you I’m assuming your reply was to me.

[?]- I did quote (” “) the statement after ‘Regarding:’ (Re:), and have no idea who the OP-ED article is attributed to.

It’s not the referencing of who said it or where it came from, instead I’m challenging where’s the proof [stats].

This is nothing new. Just taking it back to WWII there has been a never-ending assault on the Church, each Pope, and followers of the faith.

There could be a million adult male muslims diddling children today and the farLeft propagandists would overlook it hoping to find their “catholic needle in a haystack” to promote the hate in their sick minds.

Reply to  Rambo Ike
11 years ago

You are challenging the proof? How ironic considering that you have never offered an iota of proof of your own statements. LMAO!

If you think there has been an attack on the RCC, maybe you should ask yourself why that is? Could it be the child molestations, demeaning of women, gays, and non-believers? Or could it be the total disregard of reality in forbidding the use of condoms to counter the threat of AIDS? Or could it be the prohibitions on practical birth control even in the face of overpopulation and poverty?

I see you are inventing more “facts”. Where is your evidence that Muslims are “diddling” children? Militant muslims do have a lot to answer, but making unfounded smears against them is typical of a catholic. Truth and fairness are not part of your world view are they?

Rambo Ike
Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

Yes, I’m asking for proof. That’s why I posted to the article – no other reason. As the head bloviator you’ve went in a good number of directions [evasive] to avoid providing it.

Obviously the Catholic Church is not without sin, but putting it into perspective by comparing it to other groups it is not what you’re trying to make it out to be. Either you are ignorant or deceitful, and I suspect, from what you’ve shown so far, it’s a combination of both.

Be fair and apply your questions to many groups. On your 1st questioning statement the muslims are without any doubt the ultimate evil when it comes to child molestations, demeaning of women, gays, and non-believers? Try looking up the ‘Religion of Peace’ website and get yourself educated.

What is the meaning of “there could be”? Ever heard of a hypothetical?

Reply to  Rambo Ike
11 years ago

I am the one asking you for proof. Your pathetic attempts to change the subject, evade my direct questions only show that you have no facts and are not interested in learning any.

I only have a limited amount of time to devote to fools. You have used up far more than your quota. Either answer my questions, show some proof I am wrong about anything or just slink away in the shame and disgrace your comments here deserve.

Lyndon Probus
11 years ago

The Roman Catholic Church has had centuries to modify their position and restate their agenda. In some cases they have done so; torture is no longer part of the doctrine, and atheists and protestants can no longer be burned at the stake, and kings can marry whoever they want without the papal blessing. Unfortunately, despite these huge strides which were more in keeping with the advance of civilization rather than an actual doctrinal advance within the church, the Vatican is still a closed door, and I don’t see this changing. The scandals, corruption, and power-mongering rivals that of the most powerful governments, and until that is exposed, in its entirety, little will change, because there is no public pressure for that change.

The Italians, who hold the majority with the cardinals, are traditionalists, reluctant to change, and intransigent when it comes to such forlorn doctrine as birth control, homosexuality (hah), and celibacy. In reality it’s hard to keep a myth alive, and the church as spent, and continues to spend billions and billions of dollars to propagate the religious myth, for their own enrichment and very existence. The rise of secularism, more than any other single factor, offers a clear and present danger to their survival. Ignorance and poverty keeps them alive.

11 years ago

The day the pope resigned, I heard that entire story from an ex priest friend of mine. Being Catholic, I hoping his symbolic resignation sets a new tone of zero tolerance!

11 years ago

To be fair, he is not the first pope to resign, but the second. The other was about 600 years ago.

Also, the news that I hear is that Ratzinger initiated the investigation last December. Undoubtedly, he already knew about the sex rings, though. I suspect they will be something more. By remaining in the Vatican, he will be immune from prosecution and in any case, could likely delay any action for years.

Maybe the next pope will be the last one? We could only hope.

What a shame that an organization of such power and scope that could be a positive force in the world has instead been a destructive evil for so many centuries.

Reply to  Professor Mike
11 years ago

Gee, the RCC is inaccurate and uncertain in its records? Who would have thought? One would almost suspect they had something to hide.

Reply to  Professor Mike
11 years ago

I have read and suspected the same thing. It’s pretty clear that this pope, even as a cardinal, was guilty of aiding and abetting molesters. By remaining in the Vatican he will be immune from prosecution. I would be amazed if that is not part of the damage control already in place.

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