talkpolitics | (no subject)

http://articles.philly.com/2011-02-11/news/28350535_1_abuse-allegations-grand-jury-report-archdiocesan-priests

Archdiocesan leaders in Philadelphia have been raked over the coals by a new report out stating that very little has changed in the way the Church deals with priests suspected of molesting kids.

The review board designated to hear abuse allegations routinely ignored evidence substantiating those claims, the grand jurors contended. And at least 41 priests were left in active posts around the region after being accused of inappropriate behavior or abuse of minors.

"The evidence presented before us indicates that the Archdiocese continues to engage in practices that mislead victims, that violate their trust, that hinders prosecution of their abusers, and that leave large numbers of credibly accused priests in ministry," the report stated.

I'm not really surprised by this, but it's still kinda incredible that the Church just doesn't seem to be learning ANYTHING from recent years. Every time something like this happens it ruins any credibility the Church has built in a community, especially one where this has been a problem before. Moving pedo priests around is akin to trying to deal with cancer by giving it a good scolding.

The only real good coming out of all this is that people seem to be keeping a close eye on the Church and taking them to task for their failings. I'm guessing it's going to take a lot more painful lessons before the church gets that they're really going to have to start doing things a new way.

Letting priests marry would help a lot. It's one of the main things keeping men out of the priesthood. Which tends to leave the alter boy lovers filling in more of the ranks. But I'm not Catholic so I suppose that's easy for me to say.