Pope Complicit in Sex Abuse Coverup

[dreamer20]

Well, Ratzinger may have codified a policy in 2001 based on existing practices of his and many other bishops of shielding predators from the civil authorities.

The policy known as "Crimen Sollicitationis" was devised in 1962, long before Pope John Paul II appointed Ratzinger as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Hence he didn't create the policy, but he reminded bishops of it circa 2001:

The Associated Press: Vatican offers 3 reasons it's not liable for abuse

" The existence of Crimen did not become publicly known until 2003, when a lawyer noticed a reference to the document while reading a 2001 letter written by Benedict, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. McMurry is seeking to subpoena Ratzinger's letter, which instructed all bishops to send cases of clerical sex abuse to him and to keep the proceedings secret."

 

[justasimpleguy]

Dreamer, I am really confused. Are you defending the actions of the Church? Maybe you ought to go watch Deliver Us from Evil and remember that it is only the story of the victims in a small part of ONE STATE in the US.

The Church knew about the abuse. They have all known for decades. They thought covering it up by moving priests around and settling with gag orders would sweep it all under the rug. They thought people would forget and maybe even forgive. They denied charges, they lied, they obfuscated, they insisted they'd forgotten the details or couldn't remember a specific instance.

All they care about is preserving the power and authority of the Church. They don't care about the abuse, or about the THOUSANDS of victims. If they had these molesters and rapists would be in jail where they could never hurt children again.

 

[dreamer20]

Dreamer, I am really confused. Are you defending the actions of the Church?

The answer to that question would be No in regard to the action of not alerting the civil authorities etc., associated with the 1962 Vatican policy, and Yes with regard to following the terms of the 2002 USCCB charter.

USCCB - (OCYP) - Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

 

[midlifebear]

Sorry boyze and girlz, because you're a catholic priest or nun you get a free pass to not be prosecuted in civil courts? Who made up that stupid rule, where do I find him(them), and have them prosecuted in civil courts?

And people are always edgy when I honestly tell them that I am not a christian. In my opinion, a pseudo gypsy working a carnival with a worn deck of Tarot cards has more credibility.

I guess that's where the Vegas Chamber of Commerce came up with "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!" What happens in the catholic church stays in the catholic church.

It's about fucking time ALL organized religions began paying their fair share of taxes. To me it appears that even organized crime (and I'm not referring to Italian-flavored) has higher moral standards.

 

[dandelion]

well now, a Uk politics show was talking about the pope and the US case of the priest who had been indulging himself at a school for the deaf. Dont recall the name. It had been stated the pope had been responsible for dropping the case to have the priest de-frocked, apparently in a story that started in the US. This being some years after the civil authorities had dropped their own case. Some of the more considered UK newspapers had been investigating and came to the conclusion that in fact the then cardinal had been instrumental in having the case reinstated and matters speeded up, but the priest died anyway putting an end to the matter. That in fact the now pope was on the side of getting such matters sorted properly.

 

[Drifterwood]

My hunch is that enough powerfull concerns have had enough of the Catholic Church and its days may be numbered as a significant influencer.

 

[B_Hung Jon]

I'll bet now. The Pope is already in denial and refusing to admit his role in this scandal. He will continue to deny and play down the scandal and hope it goes away. That's why his underlings are doing for him.

Frankly, I've no respect for him. His letter says to forgive people rather than saying anything about his own actions and policies. The children who had their lives messed up emotionally are not going to easily forgive so great a crime.

I don't think he's in denial in the literal sense. I think the catholic hierarchy is trying to save a dying institution. That's why he's going so hard to the right. I don't think that any of them give a rat's ass about the so-called "faithful". I think they're just protecting their sorry butts like most major corporation bigwigs. The catholic church is a medieval institution in a democratic world.