Notorious abuse priest defrocked

Here's the article.

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080215_Years_after_abuse_complaints__priest_defrocked.html


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Now, anyone who knows me knows that I have no tolerance for abuse of children, or adults for that matter, whether it is sexual, physical, mental or emotional. If I were in law enforcement, the judiciary, the legislature or any citizen interest group I would come down on these abusers like a ton of bricks, whether they are priests or not. I think any priest or religious figure who has been found guilty of such a crime should be thrown in prison and the key thrown away, just as I feel about the millions of non-priest molesters and abusers loose in the world.

But I need to clarify how the good people (the non-molesters) in the Catholic Church think, so you can understand why "The Vatican" "drags its feet" when defrocking. You can ignore what I'm saying and waste your energy in outrage rather than fixing the problem in partnership and faith.

You expect priests to be defrocked just like accountants who siphon in corporations are fired. If you want a business parallel, OK, that's a great idea, let's have at it. What business is the Vatican in? The salvation of souls business. When a priest is removed from duties (as he should be) after a charge of abuse, that's one thing. But when he is defrocked, that is to say, "fired," the Church is basically giving up on the salvation of one of their own. They won't say that to you, but that is their mentality. And if they give up on saving the dirtiest of one of their own, what do they think of you, as a sinner who comes to Confession? Should they fire you if they hear of a sin that is too heinous for them to accept? Drum you out of the parish? Fire you as a parishoner should you confess to being a molester or other horrible criminal (maybe someone who peddles drugs to children, just to pick an example out of a hat?)

Of course not. It is the belief that everyone can be saved. An example is the effort to save McVie right up until he was executed for the OKC bombings. Yes, priests and anyone who molests should be thrown in prison (real prison, not party prison) and the key thrown away. If a priest or anyone (a teacher for example) is accused they should be immediately removed from their responsibilities and potential access to vicims. But when "The Vatican" "drags its feet" on defrocking, it is exactly as if they are reluctant to throw YOU out of a parish when you confess to something we think if very ucky. How about baby killers? Should those of you who confess with sincere heart to that be thrown out of the parish because we find that so repulsive that you cannot be saved and should not be in our company? Of course not, and in fact, the Church has the opposite stance, with many healing ministries directed toward men and women, boys and girls who have aborted their innocent babies. So why are you so hard hearted at understanding the Church's anguish when they defrock? (Not fire, not imprison, but anguish over defrocking).

You should pray for more wisdom, understanding and mercy. I'm sick of hearing The Vatican taking hits about not defrocking, while you all expect any sin you commit to be redeemable. Again, I'm not talking about cover up. I'm talking about your lack of understanding that the Church is not in the choir business, but in the saving soul business. It's not the accountant being fired, it's a priest, but it's the same as if one of you parishoners was fired for what you confessed in the Confessional. I'm proud that it is an anguishing decision to defrock.

Wise up.