The dodgy doctrinal assumptions behind this footnote ... that you can't expect people to live in celibacy ... that God's grace is insufficient to enable Christians to live according to His will ... are they going to be extended to paedophiles? And especially to that particular 'marginalised' and 'peripheral' group, clerical paedophiles? And if not, why not?
Come to think of it, we don't seem to have heard much about this group during all the 'Mercy' stuff. But perhaps this is unfair. Probably, the Special Confessors are absolving them in droves.
Smells a bit like Manichaeism to me.
ReplyDeleteWas there any mention of cucumbers? For Manicheans were expected to eat them to reach their salvation. And salad and watermelons. I don't have any difficulty letting "remarried" and others in irregular situations eating that stuff...
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's worse, Father. Letting people in the state of grave sin eat the Eucharist under pretense that it's a medicine for injured and sinful people that should help them on their way to Salvation actually means dealing with the Eucharist in the same way as the shamans use their "medicines"...it's therefore purelly ritualistic, even magical approach...as if mere receiving the Eucharist can change us without our decision to be changed, therefore degrading the Eucharist to some kind of all powerfull (magical) tool and depriving us of our free will (and therefore dignity as well) and all in one stroke.
If I read you correctly Padre, your perspective here appears to be logical application of the pretext and what would follow it - were all things equal.
ReplyDeleteAnd how additionally fortuitous your post -
Fr H :" . . . And especially to that particular 'marginalised' and 'peripheral' group, clerical paedophiles? And if not, why not?
Come to think of it, we don't seem to have heard much about this group during all the 'Mercy' stuff. But perhaps this is unfair. Probably, the Special Confessors are absolving them in droves."
- becomes in light of today's Gospel from Mark 9:41-50 ; specifically our Blessed Lord's admonition, ". . . it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea."
Concerning this (ahem) marginalised group :In my own country north of the 49th, we don't have as reliable figures as our brother to the south - the USA does. Permit me, if you will, to point out something, with the aim of avoiding inadvertent perpetuation of a gross MSM exaggeration:
The USCCB in June of 2002 established the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
It is an operation which has , according to the annual reports, been extremely effective and would seem to be carried out with due diligence.
I believe you were speaking figuratively when you said, "absolving them in droves" because in the USA today there are no more "droves" from this generation ,so to speak.
When one does the autopsy and examines the pathology, one finds that many of the allegations that are being brought forth even today, are of incidents which happened 20 or more years ago, and a large part of those involve individuals who were repeat offenders.
For a little more solid background: We must admit both that there may be incidents which are never reported and conversely, that not all allegations are credible. But let's get to the heart of the matter-
Before anyone goes adhering to perfumed, media-hyped BS , please consider this:
According to the USSCCB's 2015 Annual Report of Findings and Recommendations on The Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,
[pg 4] "But despite all the policies, procedures, codes of conduct, reports, and training, tragic and unacceptable events still occurred. This year’s audit found twenty-six minors made an allegation against clergy. All allegations were reported to local civil authorities.
Such incidents serve to remind us that we must be ever vigilant in our parishes and schools. Dioceses/eparchies must continue to work to improve their methods to prevent abuse and respond to allegations."
There is more to it than that, but what a most encouraging place to start - when we consider that there are 37,578 priests in the United States (source).
37,578 priests in the US and 26 minors who made an allegation against the clergy in the US in 2015. Do the math folks.
Due to measures put in place by the USCCB, and constant vigilance , it can be said, in the US at least, that this "marginalised group" is fast becoming a marginal group
Please don't anyone be aloof enough to believe that the MSM will be reporting that to you any time soon.
But Katerina, didn't somebody important say something like "Meh, a little bread and a little wine can't hurt."?
ReplyDeleteFr.Hunwicke, my apologies if you have advocated this elsewhere,...do you think the AL should be rescinded? Fr. Gerald Murray, a canon lawyer, in his post on The Catholic Thing blog seems to think so.
ReplyDelete