KT,
I don't put much weight on the Daily Show because there's an obvious political agenda there, but I think you are right. There are clearly priests, pastors, bishops, and even a few cardinals around the country that knew what was going on for a very long time. It's hard for me to comment on individual cases because I don't know the facts and don't trust the media at all.
I hope at least "you" understand where I am coming from on this issue.
All those that are guilty should be in a mental institution, jail, or in civilian life depending on the individual case and their actions.
I think the key to resolving this issue permanently is improving the recruitment and risk assessment standards. Both the predators and those that have protected them, were never suited for the job. That's another controversial discussion.
What I am not for is using this issue to smear the "entire" institution with lies, spins, and half truths or for the financial attacks by lawyers that are motivated by greed and their hate of the church, not by their sympathy for the victims or their understanding of who will really suffer as a result of the lawsuits that are making them richer.
Over my lifetime, I have literally probably met a couple of thousand people covering multiple cities and states that went to Catholic grade schools, high schools etc... I never met anyone that was sexually abused. I never even heard a rumor of anyone that was sexually abused. We all caught a few beatings for missing church or misbehaving, knew a few drunks etc... but zero pedophiles, rapists, or sexual abusers. I can say with absolute confidence that the overwhelming majority of priests and parishes are doing good work for people in need. |
