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Catholic Church Sex Scandal & Celibacy | Print |  
Written by Selwyn Duke   
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 00:00

churchAfter getting in my car the other night, this writer turned on a radio show hosted by a man renowned as a rare moderate in talk radio, although he’s most notable for only moderately deep thinking. He was talking about the Catholic Church sex scandal, and he fielded a caller proposing a unique solution: allow priests to have concubines. This prompted the host to chime in and opine that perhaps the discipline of celibacy should be revisited. After all, said he, it’s only the Catholic Church that has “these problems.” It’s the kind of shallow analysis that passes for social commentary today.

First, the notion that only the Catholic Church “has these problems” is a media-generated fiction. In fact, a recent AP investigation found that sexual misconduct — and cover-ups to avoid scandal — are rampant in the government school system. It discovered 1,801 educators who were found guilty of sexual misconduct with youths between 2001 and 2005 alone. Moreover, reports the AP, this is the tip of the iceberg, as most cases go unreported.

Then, Wapedia adds perspective, writing, “A Perspective on Clergy Sexual Abuse by Dr. Thomas Plante of Stanford University and Santa Clara University states that ‘available research suggests that approximately 2 to 5% of priests have had a sexual experience with a minor’ which ‘is lower than the general adult male population that is best estimated to be closer to 8%.’” Thus, it’s clear that it isn’t only the Catholic Church that has these problems.
 
Returning to celibacy, the idea that it lies at the sex scandal’s heart is a common one. It’s also an uncommonly silly one. Let’s examine it.

Here, I suppose, is the theory: Absolutely normal men, bursting with sexual energy, say to themselves, “That’s it! The passion is just too much — I can contain myself no longer! Where are the altar boys?”

It sounds ridiculous because it is. Obviously, if it were just a matter of men with untamable libidos, the transgressors would have had affairs with women. This not only is what would appeal to men with normal sexual desires, they also would not have created the same kind of scandal or risked total personal destruction and serious prison time.

Clearly, the celibacy theory is much like saying that all we had to do was find Jeffrey Dahmer a good wife and he would have stopped killing and eating people. As any psychologist will tell you, a homosexual attraction to boys — or any sexual perversion, for that matter — is a deep-seated problem. It is not something ameliorated by a change in venue, lifestyle, or career. The only thing that can change is where the individual finds his victims.

It’s also interesting how many everyday folks, many of whom aren’t themselves Catholic, behave as if they have some personal vested interest in overturning celibacy. If I didn’t know better, I’d suppose these people were thinking of joining a seminary and found the practice the only impediment to their aims. But since I do know better, I’d say that the attitude reflects today’s libertine priorities. Moderns are raised with the idea that sex is the end-all and be-all and that people — especially men — are supposed to be in a perpetual state of heat. (I’m sure you’ve heard that famous “statistic” stating that the average man thinks about sex every 20 seconds. Well, I’m glad I’m not average because I’d never get any writing done.) Thus, they think there is something bizarre about someone who doesn’t indulge the flesh.

Even more significantly and as funny as it sounds, there’s the matter of misery loving company. People are often made very uncomfortable by standards to which they cannot measure up, so they tend to want to bring them down. It’s the same factor that causes children to tease the “goodie-goodie” and try to lower him to their level.

Jealousy factors into this equation, too. People tend to be envious of those in possession of good things they lack, and virtue, holiness, is a good thing. Many will scoff at this analysis, especially since those plagued by these motivations usually aren’t fully aware of them (knowing thyself is rare). But I have seen this firsthand during the course of my life.

Whatever the psychology, however, there is a simple fact here: There is nothing unusual about celibacy. To the best of my knowledge, every major religion places value on asceticism, which involves denial of the flesh in all ways. And the irony here is that, for all their scoffing, most moderns do have a sense of what holiness should be.

Just consider the matter of Eastern holy men. When we think of such people, we not only accept celibacy, we expect it. When a long-haired Westerner imagines an Eastern monk, he perhaps envisions a bearded fellow adorned in robes sitting in the Lotus position. And if he ventured to the Far East in search of such a man, took a long trek into Tibet on foot and instead found the monk blasting rap music, dining lavishly and imbibing copiously amidst his harem, the disappointment would be intense. The Westerner may be hooked on decadence, he may ultimately seek designer religion and enlightenment without effort. But just like someone who doesn’t really have the discipline to master golf but nevertheless wants the best teaching pro, he wants the real McCoy.

Yet, ironically, what is revered in the Eastern holy man is reviled in the Western one. The modern looks at the Eastern monk’s asceticism and supposes the fellow has something he does not, yet he looks at the Western priest’s asceticism and supposes that he has something the fellow should. It truly is a prejudice, an example of how “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

In fact, it has bred so much of it that the Catholic Church is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t. It is condemned when a few of its officers exhibit the vice of the wider society — and when virtually all of them exhibit the virtue it possesses not.
 

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For Freedom said:

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I am not vindicating the behavior by a few fallen priests who gave into temptation, BUT why is the media ignoring The United Methodist Church's opening gay bishop? That clergy gets a free pass while, while the media excoriates the Catholic church. One example of the untrustworthy "canned news" media...
March 31, 2010

War and Piece said:

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Homos are not allowed to be priests. Every pedophile priest you hear about, lied to get into the church. The problem is homo priests not priests in general.
March 31, 2010 | url

Roderick H Mills said:

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Were the priests who covered up these crimes a few fallen priests who gave in to unclean desires? Why is the Catholic church so unsure of its celibacy is holiness scam that it had to steep itself in crime to cover up the sexual depredations of a few fallen priests? Is the alternative to the Catholic hierarchy really liberal media hypocrisy and/or gay bishops? There are respectable religions where married chaste men are considered sacred. Isn't the integration of the sexual motive into our life as a whole to be desired over the denial of the sexual motive? Sex is difficult to understand and to integrate. So what? Life is difficult. Why else would Christianity have such appeal as we struggle to accept the creation of our Creator without defiling it? Many of the early church fathers had married sexual experience before they committed to a vow of celibacy. Perhaps the Catholic church should only choose its priests from married men with sexual experience who then accept a vow of celibacy after having integrated the sexual motive into their lives. We live in a very childish age wherein our emotional development seems to have gone backward in relation to our technological development. Is the failure to integrate the sexual motive into our lives really desirable? Is the Catholic celibate priest really relevant to the emotional integrative problems of our times? I say no. The child molestation and the COVER UP only highlight this irrelevance.
March 31, 2010 | url

A Sinner said:

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Celibacy
I dont think anyone is questioning the spiritual value celibacy can have, but rather making it mandatory for diocesan priests.

The reason we accept it in Eastern holy-men (and, frankly, in credible western ones) is because we assume they are actually FOLLOWING it.

Studies indicate the same cannot be safely assumed for Priests in the West. You meet these men, and they're not mystics. Maybe that's the problem; but many are just stunted adolescents with a cushy bureaucratic position.
March 31, 2010 | url

Ann Clarke said:

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Of course celibacy does not cause paedophilia, this trait is peculiar to the individual whether priest or football player. My argument is why celibacy is an important necessity for the Catholic priest whether he is or is not able to meet this commitment with grace. If a priest feels able to fulfil his priestly duties and take a wife where is the problem? A contented individual is perhaps better placed to carry out spiritual duties. There seems to be no embargo on how much a Catholic priest can eat or drink and he is even allowed to smoke. Should the Catholic priest therefore also take a vow of abstemiousness generally as well as sexually?
March 31, 2010

Christina said:

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Thank you Selwyn Duke for a very well written article where one with an open heart and mind will come to the realization that the One True Church has and always will be viciously attacked.

Unfortunately, many people allow themselves to be constantly manipulated by the media, regardless of the topic of the day.

I pray that these people will wake up from their sleep and seek the Truth with which you have rightly defended.

And, before anyone continues with the attacks, this is not to say that people "in" and "outside" the Catholic Church that have committed these heinous acts should go without punishment.

Furthermore, keep in mind their day of judgment, as yours and mine, will inevitably come. Remember, God loves the Sinner and abhors the Sin!

Moreover, remember, anyone who is without Sin, let him (her) be the first to cast the stone.
March 31, 2010

Nuke09 said:

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Rod -- Just face it you are a hater of the Catholic Church. In addition you arguments are lame and well worn. Go away little man back to that sorry little life of yours. You have a lot of soul searching to do....
March 31, 2010

Sharon Nolan said:

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I am very surprised at this article. I have always pegged you as being an intelligent man, a 'thinker' & also a Christian.

However, you must be a 'Catholic'. And there is nothing 'Christian' about the RC Institution. Do some deep studying on this very corrupt religion passing itself off as the 'true church'. The Whore of Babylon in Revelation 17 - Rome on seven hills.

Yes - there is something definitely 'abnormal' with celibacy.
There is absolutely nothing scriptural about forcing Priests to be celibate. It promotes the ramptant homosexuality in the RC Institution.

You need to get your facts together concerning the 'millions' of cases of child abuse against the Catholic Church. You are way out in left field.

The abuse in Canada and Ireland alone are abominable! The media Pg 1 of the Tor. Daily Star Mar 20 - read it. The RC Institution paid out millions to abused children after covering it up for decades (My husband was one of these people). The RC System is still trying to cover it up. However, Scripture says ALL THINGS WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE LIGHT - and it was and still is!

Imagine how surprised my husband & I were in 1979 laying on a beach in Ochis Rios Jamaica when we discovered the Priest to St. Boniface Church we were attending laying next to us in his skimpy speedo bathing suit with this gay lover who was also a Priest on Queen St. in Toronto! That experience is a small book! This was the very Priest that had just done the confirmation of my daughter two weeks before!

The RC System & The Vatican - the most corrupt system on the face of the planet - wake up!
April 01, 2010

Lloyd Cochrane said:

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Amen many times over for Sharon Nolan. JESUS clarified that some Eunuchs either are born this way to serve or some desire to be this to serve, but the LORD does not put a condition as the Roman Catholic Church does, which goes 100% against GOD'S HOLY WORD. Read Dave Hunt's "A Woman Rides the Beast" if you want an historical backed up Biblically truth about the RCC of which I was a devout member 34 years ago. The HOLY SPIRIT opened my heart to the true Gospel, which is the POWER of GOD onto salvation. I thank the LORD GOD for this truth, which rented the "vail" between my heart/mind and HIS true LOVE through HIS SON the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who by the way "FINISHED IT" on the Cross, which the RCC says that it was not finished because HE must continue to be sacrificed over and over and over again millions of times in an unbloodly way through the "mystical body of Christ" during the Mass. Oh this is so blasphemous against a MOST HOLY GOD. Corruption breeds corruption. I pray that who ever reads this message will allow the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD open their heart and not the spirit of man, who allows Satan to vire him off the straight and narrow road to eternal life.
April 01, 2010

Dan said:

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Opinion
I can't say much of value, not being Catholic and all, but I think that God will judge the priests who commit these transgressions. Our judgments are simply a social rebound designed to allow our society to handle this striking revelation, and move on. I have no doubt that any problems within the Catholic Church will be null and void when attempting to sully the faith of the true believers in Catholicism
April 01, 2010

Dave Brandt said:

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Selwyn, as usual, makes some good points. But in this mostly wave-of-the-hand style commentary, he's too casually excused what is obviously a sad and sordid chapter in Catholic history. Moreover, celibacy as a requirement for pastoral ministry is so obviously not a biblical requirement for such service to the Lord and His people, that I'm surprised he addressed it as he did.

Hey, the RC church can set whatever rules it wants (which is a problem for all denominations), but Catholics should be willing to admit the obvious shortcomings of things that are not working--not to mention, things not mandated in holy scripture.
April 01, 2010

Roderick H Mills said:

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Nuke09. There are more serious defenders of the Catholic church than you and you should learn to stay out discussions involving grown people. If you are Catholic, I hope that you weren't molested by a Catholic man of God, and if you were, I hope that you get over it, and I hope that the perpetrator did not get away with his crime with the support of the Catholic hierarchy. Nuke09, you were just a child and you were taken advantage of by someone you trusted. You did not do anything wrong, and I hope that you turn to true Christianity and realize that God is there for you and he wants you to forgive yourself for something that you did not do. You are innocent, but please leave grown up discussions to the grown ups.
April 02, 2010 | url

Roderick H Mills said:

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Nuk09. I really do hope that you and no one that you know has been abused by a Catholic priest, because if they or you were, then we know that the entire weight of the Catholic celibate hierarchy will be thrown or has been thrown against you. And that is a crime. Perhaps if the Catholics involved in these crimes and those involved in the criminal cover up had been called into courts and convicted of their crimes instead of hiding behind their supposed superior celibate status, we might not even be arguing about the need or not of celibacy. And you would not need to enlist ad hominen arguments in your weak defense of the Catholic church and its questionable hierarchy.
April 02, 2010 | url

Roderick H Mills said:

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Asceticism and sexual abstinence clearly have spiritual value. So does fasting. But while eating and sex are different, although I am not sure if these "few errant priests" understand the difference, I don't commit my life to perpetual fasting unless I want to commit to starvation and death. Yes, I don't need sex the same way I need food. But then I don't need God the same way I need food either. I don't need religion the same way I need food. I don't need to recognize the existence of other people and their needs the same way I need food. I don't need art the same way I need food. So all the things which seem to make life worth living, I don't need those things the same way I need food. But I do need those things. And in the right way.
April 03, 2010 | url

Sticks n Stones said:

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Objectivity vs. Emotionalism - prt. 1
I am very surprised at this article. I have always pegged you as being an intelligent man, a 'thinker' & also a Christian.

However, you must be a 'Catholic'. And there is nothing 'Christian' about the RC Institution. Do some deep studying on this very corrupt religion passing itself off as the 'true church'. The Whore of Babylon in Revelation 17 - Rome on seven hills.

Who are you to judge whether Mr. Duke is a Christian or not? For that matter, can you show me where Sacred Scripture gives you the authority to judge him or an entire church based upon nothing but opinion? It's obvious Mr. Duke has done his homework on the Catholic Church and therefore can write such articles without biased opinion. I'm curious what is 'very corrupt' about the Catholic faith? If you are speaking of sinners being in the Catholic Church only, then I suggest you do your own 'deep studying' as sinners are those whom Christ came to save. And guess what? They are in every church, every city, state, and country. If you can prove it's their doctrines, then attempt to do so, leaving the emotionalism aside.

As for the seven hills: Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, Aventine, Palatine, and Capitoline? They are on the east side of the Tiber River. Vatican City is on the west. One could find this information easily, if they only did their own 'homework' and not rely upon bathroom banter for the Truth.
April 03, 2010

Sticks n Stones said:

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Objectivity vs. Emotionalism - prt. 2
St. John did not use the word "hill" in Revelation 17. Greek lexicons tell us he used the Greek word "horus" which is a mountain; and mountains in the Word of God stand for kingdoms.

Have you climbed any of the seven kingdoms of Rome recently?

However, strange as it may seem, the City of Jerusalem as it existed in the time of Christ Jesus was reckoned to be the "City of Seven Hills." This fact was well recognized in Jewish circles.
In the "Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer", an eighth century midrashic narrative, the writer mentioned that "Jerusalem is situated on seven hills" (recorded in The Book of Legends).

Those "seven hills" are easy to identify. If one starts with the Mount of Olives just to the east of the main City of Jerusalem there are three summits to that Mount of Olives.

#1 - the northern summit (hill) is called Scopus

#2 - the middle summit (hill) was called Nob

#3 - the highest point of Olivet itself, and the southern summit (hill) was called in the Holy Scriptures the "Mount of Corruption" or "Mount of Offence" - 2 Kings 23:13

#4 - the middle ridge between the Kedron and the Tyropoeon Valleys there was (formerly) in the south "Mount Zion" (the original "Mount Zion" and not the later southwest hill that was later called by that name)

#5 - the "Ophel Mount"

#6 - to the north of that the "Rock" around which "Fort Antonia" was built

#7 - the southwest hill itself became known in the time of Simon the Hasmonean as the new "Mount Zion."
April 03, 2010

Sticks n Stones said:

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Objectivity vs. Emotionalism - prt. 3
As for the so-called "whore of Babylon", I have now donned my Sola Scriptura glasses for a reply using Sola Scriptura believers rules.

I cannot find the phrase 'whore of Babylon' in the Bible.

Plus, I cannot find a single reference that says 'Catholic Church' or the word 'Pope' to connect to the non-existent 'whore of Babylon'. I have found scripture that says we are not to add to the Word, though.

Yes - there is something definitely 'abnormal' with celibacy. There is absolutely nothing scriptural about forcing Priests to be celibate. It promotes the ramptant [sic] homosexuality in the RC Institution.

I suppose you think Jesus was 'abnormal' and therefore 'homosexual'? I don't know where you came up with the idea that celibacy is abnormal. If celibacy were not possible, it would not have been praised in Sacred Scripture. The priesthood, not unlike most jobs, has rules. Unlike most jobs, it's a calling from God. This calling does not guarantee one is free from sin. Like the research Mr. Duke has provided, it's a problem not contained in the Catholic Church. If one is truly concerned for the welfare of children, one would see the whole of the problem is much larger than the Catholic Church.. that is, if one is truly concerned and not just spouting bigotry.
April 03, 2010

Sticks n Stones said:

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Objectivity vs. Emotionalism - prt. 4
St. Paul, the Protestant Pope, says this concerning celibacy: 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35 "But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord."

Listen to your pope! Or are these words to be considered 'uninspired'?


You need to get your facts together concerning the 'millions' of cases of child abuse against the Catholic Church. You are way out in left field.

I would like to see proof of 'millions' of cases. Until then, I'll believe Mr. Duke's referenced statistics. Bigoted opinions don't mean anything unless they are spoken to another bigot.

The abuse in Canada and Ireland alone are abominable! The media Pg 1 of the Tor. Daily Star Mar 20 - read it. The RC Institution paid out millions to abused children after covering it up for decades (My husband was one of these people). The RC System is still trying to cover it up. However, Scripture says ALL THINGS WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE LIGHT - and it was and still is!

I went to said reference, but because I refuse to pay to read their opinions, all that was freely available to the general public were opinions. And frankly, opinions are a dime-a-dozen.
April 03, 2010

Sticks n Stones said:

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Objectivity vs. Emotionalism prt. 5
Imagine how surprised my husband & I were in 1979 laying on a beach in Ochis Rios Jamaica when we discovered the Priest to St. Boniface Church we were attending laying next to us in his skimpy speedo bathing suit with this gay lover who was also a Priest on Queen St. in Toronto! That experience is a small book! This was the very Priest that had just done the confirmation of my daughter two weeks before!

I wonder what actions took place on a public beach in 1979, when homosexuality was not as acceptable then as it is today, that would be worthy of a small book? I also wonder what your actions were when you went home? Did you report the incident, or, like so many, chose to hide this information to bring it up years later at what you consider an opportune time?

The RC System & The Vatican - the most corrupt system on the face of the planet - wake up!

Again, nothing you have to offer is anything more than opinion. Not really what one would call a reliable source. Mr. Duke is being objective whereas you are speaking from your emotions.

If this is your best example of following the second great commandment our Lord left us, I pity the non-believer who might be seeking and runs into you.
April 03, 2010

Sticks n Stones said:

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Female Teachers List
Check out this list if you have any doubts about Mr. Duke's research..

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?f...geId=39783
April 03, 2010

Roderick H Mills said:

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Until the perverts that the Catholic church has criminally shielded feel the full weight of the secular law, people will reasonably question the non-Christian practice of an all celibate priesthood. If the Catholic church really believed in the spiritual fruits of celibacy, then why did they allow those same values to be so horribly diminished through involvement in the covering up and the enabling of child molestation? How long has this gone on? How many thousands of children have been destroyed by this institutionalized child molestation? I do not have to argue against the spiritual worth of celibacy. The Catholic church is performing that feat quite admirably without my help thank you very much. Nuke09 complained that my argument was not original. Once again, how long has this perversion been going on?
April 04, 2010 | url

Roderick H Mills said:

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Hey Selwyn. Happy Easter. The Catholic hierarchy was willing to place these "few errant priests" in different dioceses where they would come into intimate contact with children so they could continue their foul depredations. Are we supposed to believe that a married hierarchy with children of its own would be so cavalier in placing the children of others in harm's way and within the depraved grasp of these known child molesters? Hardly likely. So if celibacy is proving to make priests less capable of serving God and church members, what is the point of continuing something which has no real Biblical basis?
April 04, 2010 | url

Paladin said:

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Roddy, you said "Are we supposed to believe that a married hierarchy with children of its own would be so cavalier in placing the children of others in harm's way and within the depraved grasp of these known child molesters?'

Answer - yes. Did you read the linked up AP story? It explains that sexual abuse is rampant in the government school system. Last I heard, the teachers and school officials didn't take vows of celibacy and they tend to be married.

About the scriptural basis - you don't seem to know the Bible very well. Jesus said, 'Some men are born eunuchs, some men are made eunuchs by other men, and some men choose to be eunuchs for the glory of God." Also, as someone above posted, '1 Corinthians 7: 32-35 'But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.'

The poster also made the great point that Jesus himself was celibate (you can't dispute this unless you would say some very bad things about the Lord).

Wise up, Roddy. You can only dispute these things if Nuke is right about you and you're just an anti-Catholic bigot.
April 04, 2010

Roderick H Mills said:

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This is such a grown up site. All these ad hominem arguments the style of which is better suited for the pro rasslin' blogs. Hey Nuke09 and Paladin. Why don't you use your real names if you are so proud of your arguments in support of institutionalized child molestation? In Corinthians, Christ is actually talking about castration or maybe you just need some help in reading your Bible. Plenty is available. It is true that Christ was unmarried as a matter of historical fact. Are we then going to claim that he castrated himself? Ouch. I am sorry that you think that sex is so dirty that you believe that even Christ himself could not have conducted himself in a chaste manner if it had been his lot to marry instead of to die. It must be your Platonistic, unChristian Catholicism talking. As for celibacy being essential for undistracted service to the lord, unless you consider enabling child molesters undistracted service to the Lord, that isn't working out too well either, now is it.
April 05, 2010 | url

Paladin said:

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Roddy . . . I mean, shoddy thinking
Roddy, that you a nice diversionary tactic. So you're saying that Jesus was saying that some men actually castrated themselves "for the glory of God." Interesting theory. Who would those men have been? I also see that you completely ignored St. Paul's counsel. I guess it's an inconvenient truth, huh?

You also wrote, "It is true that Christ was unmarried as a matter of historical fact. Are we then going to claim that he castrated himself? Ouch." Given that you said above this that Christ was talking about castration in His quote, you must believe that He did. You lost the debate.
April 05, 2010

Roderick H Mills said:

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Use your real names ladies.
April 05, 2010 | url

Roderick H Mills said:

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When the ladies who seem comfortable defending institutionalized child molestation decide to use their real names in this exchange, then I will know that I am dealing with people who are at least trying to stand by their arguments in a grown up way. Until then, I am sure that you will take consolation in the completely satisfying dismissal of the charges against the church as petty gossip and rumours that was offered on Easter Sunday.
At least one thing is clear, the current Catholic leadership is completely incapable of dealing with this latest attack in a grown up manner. Can its followers be expected to behave in more mature way than the leaders?
April 06, 2010 | url

Roderick H Mills said:

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Hey ladies. How about the Eastern church? There are married bishops there. What about child molestation incidents in the Eastern church? How does it compare?
April 07, 2010 | url

Roderick H Mills said:

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Celibacy is not Catholic doctrine. Celibacy is church discipline.
It is pointless to argue that celibacy comes from the Bible. Timothy clearly states the rules for marriage and bishops. The Catholic church has twisted that around until it means nothing and the church has simply imposed its own discipline. I will be glad to respond in more depth to the Biblical verses stated above, although I don't know what purpose it will serve. People need a sex freak show to keep them in awe of religion and God. The Catholic church serves that stupefying and stunning function. Until people are more advanced emotionally, the Catholic church will serve a function. Most people don't want freedom, and it is better that they succumb to an organization like the Catholic church which at least tries to be Christian. The alternatives as we have seen have been violent and totalitarian.
April 10, 2010 | url

Loyola_Alum said:

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The quoted Dr. Plante said abuser was not a threat
The quoted Dr. Thomas Plante was on the Jesuit Los Gatos, Calif. Sensitive Incidents Team. Dr. Susan Greenberg-Englander was on the same team. Dr. Susan was the psychiatrist for 6-years for a victim of sex abuse.

The victim told Dr. Susan he was sexually assaulted by a Jesuit, Br. Charles Connor. Yet Dr. Susan apparently did not suggest that his case be brought before the Sensitive Incidents Team.

Dr. Plante apparently said (according to a deposition) that Br. Charles Connor was not a threat. Connor was accused of sexually assaulting menial workers for the Jesuits. And the Jesuit Order paid $7 million in a sex abuse case involving Br. Connor and these menial workers.
April 10, 2010

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