Why is it that so many in the atheist community cannot bring themselves to get past their anger whenever they engage in discussions? The language of many of their contributions in public debate is laced with invective and dripping with sarcasm and bile. There are exceptions of course, but they tend to fall more into the category of being the 'exception that proves the rule' when compared to the hostility of many of today's atheist posters. Comment offered by the theists in the public square is often depicted as being 'malicious' or 'venomous' and intended to enslave the 'feeble minded and weak' by those who post. Nothing could be further from the truth. Venom is something that is oriented to death. Christians are oriented in a 180 degree different direction. We speak not to the culture of death that grips our world but rather for the culture of life and light which ends with the gift of eternal life. For example, the Catholic Church in its hum...
We all remember Fr. Greely for the books, but, surprisingly, little is said, especially by Bishops or Priests, about the fact he was one of the earliest Priests to warn about the rampant sex-abuse of minors in the U S A.
ReplyDeleteThere is no record of any Canadian Priest having done so in that period of time. Oh, of course there may have been, but, our Bishops doing their thing, would have shredded, quashed or just pay-off quietly and hope they disappear.
Oskar: There were indeed Canadian priests who spoke out condemning the abuse by others as well as some who have also criticized Bishops for failing to properly deal with these cases. I have done so every since I've started this blog. I even wrote letters to every Canadian Bishop asking them to change their ways and report all such cases to the Police. I know for a fact that I was hardly alone in doing the same. For example, we Pembroke priests have met with our Bishop(s) on more than one occasion where we STRONGLY 'suggested' that if these matters were not immediately, properly, and transparently dealt with by IMMEDIATELY reporting any allegations to the Police that the faithful would leave the Church is droves. It made a positive difference here. It would do the same elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteFr. Tim
Father, that is good news. Did your Bishop ever follow up on that, by doing what you asked?
ReplyDeleteOskar: Yes he did. Bishop Mulhall has been exemplary in the manner that he has dealt with such cases. Immediately upon receiving an allegation, he removes the priest from active ministry and reports the matter to the Police. It has happened twice since he became our bishop such that the predators involved have actually complained about the 'lack of support' they have received from him. It really is unfair given that his policy is to stand by the priest through the criminal process, even to the point of obtaining legal counsel for the accused. But if they are convicted, the lawyers bill is theirs to pay and he immediately petitions Rome to have them defrocked. IMHO, if every bishop acted the same way, the Church would stand much better now than it does in the eyes of many believers.
DeleteFr. Tim
Congratulations to your Bishop. Sounds like he knows what God expects of Him.
ReplyDelete'tis a pity we have so few like-minded Bishops= not just in Canada, but throughout the Church. Peace!