So far in his celebrated visit to America, His Holiness has expressed shame and regret for the massive sex abuse scandal and the way it was handled. But he also said it was sort of America's own fault.According to Breitbart: ...He urged efforts "to address the sin of abuse within the wider context of sexual mores" as well as a reassessment of "the values underpinning society."
"What does it mean to speak of child protection when pornography and violence can be viewed in so many homes through media widely available today?" the pontiff said on the first full day of his US visit.
"Children deserve to grow up with a healthy understanding of sexuality and its proper place in human relationships. They should be spared the degrading manifestations and the crude manipulation of sexuality so prevalent today."
They should also be spared a religious hierarchy that protects the priests that abuse them.The Pope has yet to explain what the Church is doing to expel pedophile priests, and he continues to stand by bishops who covered up the abuse for years.
The truth is, the abuse that went on in the Catholic Church is not "society's" fault. It's the Church's fault. That's why the Church has had to pay out $2 billion in claims. And that makes it ultimately the Pope's fault. The church scandal is not something he can pass off on internet pornography.
For us, the Pope's visit has raised some major questions:
1. How rude is it to attack our morality on his first full day here? President Bush picked him up from the airport.
2. Does anyone know why Benedict's teenage affiliation with the Hitler Youth is excused by his being, in the BBC 's parlance, "not an enthusiastic member"?
3. Any clue why the Pope's autobiography is written through the eyes of his cat Chico?
4. Finally, how seriously should we take what the papers are calling the Pope's "chiding" of American society and its role in the church scandal? Do we as a nation really share some of the blame for the Church's crisis?
Reader Comments ( Page 13 of 14)
181. America is to blame... comments like "What do they expect when they dont let their priests marry"... that doesnt explain why perverted married men have sex with their sons, daughters or other children??? ever watch...I'm not even catholic and I know the problem is us... Our society excuses all kinds of inappropriate behavior... If anyone really thinks about it they could come up with countless examples. Girls gone wild, Jackass, extramarital affairs (just think Bill Clinton and Monica), Our obsession with Hollywood.
We have become a society that enjoys pointing to the Catholic church or at some other scapegoat because it makes us feel not so bad about cheating on our husband... WE ARE SICK!!! And the only ones that can fix "us" is "us".
And the sad truth is that no one wants to fix it because they are all to busy "masterbating"... getting their guilty pleasure from all the sin around them that they dont care and dont want it to stop.
Diane at 3:12PM on Apr 20th 2008
182. Think about this: If the "Almighty" creator was able to create the heavens and earth in such a short period of time, if he truly had the power to do that, do you not think he would have the power to prevent this from happening? Wake up people, there is no merciful God, we were not 'created' by him, all of us came about through evolution (for those in doubt do your scientific research), there is no Heaven or Hell, life ends right here on Earth, and a true "Christian" is one who does right by his fellow mankind, not just someone who sits in church. If there was a Hell, all those molesting priests and those, including the Pope, that enabled it to be covered up, would be going there. Organized religion is bullshit, it is for those to weak to deal with society's shortcomings, for those who need to believe in a higher power to make them feel better. Catholicism is a crock of -hit.
Dumb Ass Pope at 12:56PM on Apr 20th 2008
183. While he points a finger, 3 are pointing at him..........the pope is a poop......
Matu Feliciano at 1:43PM on Apr 20th 2008
184. It is time to do away with the celibate priesthood. Anglicans and Orthodox have had a married priesthood for 2000 years--in fact when Catholicism was Orthodox (prior to the celebration of the daily Mass) it still had the option of a married priesthood available. The Church needs to return to its Orthodox roots in this matter, as mandatory celibacy almost begs for the inclusion of perverts into the clergy.
rnbarstow at 5:44AM on Dec 7th 2009
185. I know events in this world add to the morals of a person....but POPE< these men are very elderly and porno, etc. was not shown in their homes, I would figure. Don;t blame America on what has been going on for centuries...these are grown men, who if they are real true Christians, would not stoop to the level of abusing innocent children. shame on you for your statement......Jan in Ga.
Jan at 2:05PM on Apr 20th 2008
186. Too bad Chico the Cat didn't come to the States instead of the Pope. The reason why the Pope's auto biogrphy is written through the eyes of his cat is because he is deeply ashamed and unconscious. He appears to be spiritually disconnected and unable to lead his flock to great healing due to his criminal behavior and criminal enterprise. How symbolic...Hopefully, Chico can be what the catholics have looking for all along. Look for God within because the Pope is telling you his cat speaks for him. Run don't look back. HELLO
kmh at 2:48PM on Apr 20th 2008
187. The Catholic Church's sole claim to legitimacy
rests on the claim that Peter was the first pope.
However, Peter was MARRIED according to the King
James Bible. Also, there is no secular or biblical
proof that Peter was EVER in Rome. Indeed all evi-
dence points to the opposite. Like the evolution-
ist, the Church makes up "facts" when necessary.
mhs34
Mel Strickland at 2:59PM on Apr 20th 2008
188. I do not like this Pope however, I agree with him about America spiraling downward. Read the papers or see whats on TV!
Mario at 3:48PM on Apr 20th 2008
189. The Catholic Church broke it's trust with the parishoners. Clean up house before you accuse society for your problems.
On a side note: Bill Moyers Journal last half hour was on Friday night (PBS) was excellent, religion in politics. Well worth U-Tubing.
JefFlyingV at 4:29PM on Apr 20th 2008
190. I am not a catholic,and i think the catholic church is in error,especially when it comes to celibate priests.But on this,I think the pope is partially right.Fact is the problem is with the pedophille priest's mind.We all have dirty thoughts running through our heads.The question is,Do we allow ourselves to dwell on the dirty thoughts that run in our minds,or do we consciously try to get rid of such thoughts,and focus on nice,pure thoughts?For me,I have a problem with lusting after women.While i am glad i have never sexually abused any woman,it did not come easy.I had to consciously change my thought life.For me that meant prayer,deliberately avoiding tempting situations and so on.It is not yet uhuru for me,but i hope that by God's grace,I will keep on overcoming.
And now dear brothers and sisters,...fix your thoughts onwhat is true and honorable and right.(Phillipians ch.4 vs 8,the Bible)
Advice the catholics,and all of us can follow.Who knows,it might stop one more pedophhille attack.Or rape.
mad african christian. at 5:19PM on Apr 20th 2008
191. 29. google "Rabbi Jewish molest boy" and you will find thousands of Rabbi sex abuse victims. One was caught on tape on the catch a predator! The Mainstream Media fails to cover Jewish sex abuse because of illegal Anti_catholic Hatred on the part of those who run the media. The Constitution was based on religious tolerance - not covering up Jewish misdeads and exposing Catholic ones in this biased fashion.
----------------
I just watched the last few days of wall to wall coverage of the Pope, every mass on every cable
news chanel without any commercial interruption. Where is this "jewish" mainstream media bias?? WTF????
cazzy at 7:12PM on Apr 20th 2008
192. WOW Bush and the pope..Didnt Jesus say that we are to be no part of the world just as he is no part of the world? Well the pope sure is getting mixed up with the world and part of the world has a leader named Bush. Big surprise that the church is full of Homos and pedophiles since they are keeping time with Satans organizations. The Harlot is drunk on the blood of the innocent. I mean think about it. If God was here now, would he be showing reverence to a warmonger like Bush? Come on people I beg you to use your brains and see that the catholic church and all the world empire of false religion is responsible for the deaths of millions. Worship God with your heart and have faith in him..Dont worship with your 10 percent so that The Vatican can own more priceless art and jewels..Do some research and realize that it is just a business..I could go on and on but it just wouldnt do any good.
scott at 10:02PM on Apr 20th 2008
193. kmh,
Wow, thanks for setting me straight. We all know lawyers would never manipulate the truth to reach a favorable ruling. I'm sure most people think lawyers are very honorable people and hold them to high esteem because of their ethics. Priests and Bishops would do well to follow their example. Wait, maybe that would make matters worse.
goddess1prevail (I guess you think highly of yourself),
I may be wrong, but I believe our "society" existed in the 40's and 50's and was busy raising some of the wierdos walking around today. Of course if you take your direction from Bill Maher, its easy to understand why you're so confused.
EPV at 10:56PM on Apr 20th 2008
194. EPV
Well then don't think too much, you might hurt yourself.
I only quoted Bill Maher on how the church has no accountability, his statement was quite funny.
The Pope should be in jail for the cover-up he produced to the offenders. You obviously don't know too much if you believe the 40's and 50's society created pedophiles.
What created these pedophiles is this church belief that priests, deacons and bishops represent god and are therefore untouchable by societies laws. It is them who thought highly of themselves.
goddess1prevail at 12:48AM on Apr 21st 2008
195. goddess1prevail,
Oh I see, priests, deacons and bishops think highly of themselves and "BING"! up springs a pedophile. Here I thought they were born and raised by parents just like most people. But, you would know better, you're a goddess. By the way, you brought up the 40's and 50's, not me. I don't know why you think this period in society was incapable of producing pedophiles. I have a feeling pedophiles have been around for a long time. Maybe you're thinking priests took a break during the 40's and 50's from thinking highly of themselves and, thus, no pedophiles were created.
I am sure that some day the Catholic Church will no longer exist. But that day will come so long after we no longer exist that there will be no proof we ever existed. Being that there are people who believe Christ never existed, I won't mind being in that company.
EPV at 1:55AM on Apr 21st 2008