i continue to be unable to comprehend this shit

[rivendellrose]

'Top Vatican officials — including the future Pope Benedict XVI — did not defrock a priest who molested as many as 200 deaf boys, even though several American bishops repeatedly warned them that failure to act on the matter could embarrass the church, according to church files newly unearthed as part of a lawsuit.'

Another quote: '“In spite of these difficulties,” Archbishop Weakland wrote, “we are still hoping we can avoid undue publicity that would be negative toward the church.”'

...I don't think that even needs commentary, do you? The complete lack of compassion, concern, responsibility or remorse speaks eloquently enough on its own.

Comments

[platoapproved.livejournal.com]

At moments like this I just rewatch this. Stephen Fry always makes me feel a bit better.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Stephen Fry is wonderful that way. ♥

[diea.livejournal.com]

And these men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders for millions of people? Yeah, I think I'll pass.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, exactly. And people think that atheists and pagans have problems with morality... :P

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

People are leaving the Catholic Church in droves, and between the lost parishioners and the lawsuit money, they are having to sell churches all over the U.S.

I was forced by my parents to attend their local Catholic Church until about age 12. It was in Palo Alto, CA (my home town) so it wasn't too bad. But I was never "confirmed" and I never went to confession. I never considered myself a member.

I'm a Taoist, and we don't have priests or churches.

And I cannot say I'm sorry to see the CC losing millions of believers and millions of dollars. I hope that, between the two, it destroys the CC and buries it for good.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I hope that, between the two, it destroys the CC and buries it for good.

Me too, but considering the sorts of scandals, horrors, and dirty laundry they've survived for the last thousand plus years (give or take a schism), I consider it fairly unlikely.

I do very much hope that it does, though... or at least that fewer and fewer people continue to trust them and rely on their judgments in spiritual and moral matters. The blind leading the blind would be an improvement on shit like this.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

They are losing parishioners in Europe and America, and gaining converts in African countries won't make up the difference. They also have a shortage of priests and men who want to become priests.

In addition, they are losing millions of dollars in legal payouts to victims and lawyers, and having to sell churches to pay those bills, angering local parishioners and losing even more members.

It's a downward spiral and it's not stopping. The CC desperately wants to stop this downward spiral, but they are unwilling to come into the 21st (or even the 20th) Century.

They are building their own destruction - and nothing lasts forever.