The Scandal
Though it is not the main mission of this site, it is time to say something about the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, as the main purpose for this media campaign is not the protection of children, but the attempt to discredit the Church on moral issues, including especially life and family issues.
Unfortunately, many (most?) have left their reason behind and this has taken on the dimensions of a witch hunt, which I think is due to the implications of Romans 1. “Although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened.” or as Mark Shea says, “sin makes you stupid.”
The media have driven people to the “frothing at the mouth” stage of the witch hunt by their continuous articles on matters which are 30+ years old, and many are all too happy to latch onto every (twisted, deceptive) word, as it discredits the Catholic Church, which tells them that their behavior is sinful.
This isn’t a huge surprise, as the Church is destined to walk the path of Jesus Christ…the Pharisees did not really care about the woman caught in adultery (much less the man). They only cared about tripping Jesus up and discrediting Him.
Similarly, the media does not really care about children (otherwise why don’t we see daily front page articles about sexual abuse in schools, or even abuse by Protestant ministers, which is much more widespread in the former case, and at least as widespread in the latter?), they only care about discrediting the Church.
Don’t misunderstand me! Any sexual abuse by a priest, and any cover-up (or worse, transferring the abuser to a location where he could abuse again) by a bishop is a horrible thing. Anyone who had anything to do with the abuse or with enabling abusers should be removed from their positions. The fact is, though, that sexual abuse (and even the enabling behavior) is not just a Catholic problem. It is a problem in EVERY sector in society. The Church is already ahead of most in cleaning itself up.
The campaign to drag Pope Benedict XVI into the mud is especially despicable. He has done more than anyone else to clean up the Catholic Church, and any impartial observer can see that, if they care enough to review the facts. The evidence against him is non-existent, and it’s a frightening fact that so many have easily absorbed the media’s lies (or at the very least, extreme twisting of the truth and deception).
There may be persecution ahead, folks, if people are this easily deceived. Pray, pray, pray!!
