People are smart enough to distinguish between the acts of men and the moral teachings of the Church. You seem to imply that b/c some clergy (a very small number) have failed to live up to the Church's teachings then it's OK for Catholics to hold beliefs other than the Church's teachings. While it might creat doubt, it doesn't give them a free pass to, as Catholics, hold views which are contrary to the teachings of the Church. -- Fordham Rams Basketball Message Board

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Date Posted: Fri April 22, 2005 10:05:02
Author: bfg
Subject: People are smart enough to distinguish between the acts of men and the moral teachings of the Church. You seem to imply that b/c some clergy (a very small number) have failed to live up to the Church's teachings then it's OK for Catholics to hold beliefs other than the Church's teachings. While it might creat doubt, it doesn't give them a free pass to, as Catholics, hold views which are contrary to the teachings of the Church.
In reply to: DamnRam 's message, "But that's just begging the question of why they don't agree with the orthodox teachings of the Church in the first place. Instead of telling them they should just disregard their own misgivings, the Church should give them the benefit of the doubt and address the reasons for those misgivings. You can't "challenge" people to get with the program if they believe the program is corrupt. This is much larger than just the child molestation issue (which isn't over yet, by the way). Even now, for instance, the Church is actively shielding a Rwandan priest (now living in a Church compound in Florence under an assumed name) who was already tried and convicted (one of three Rwandan priests) for his role in the murder of 2000 Tutsis in the Rwandan massacre, and a South American priest who was complicit in the executions of alleged "leftists" during the Dirty War (he would extract their confessions, then tell the soldiers it was okay to shoot them)." on Fri April 22, 2005 09:39:04

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A priest who smokes and drinks a little too much has a minor personal failing with no bearing on the authority or teachings of the Church. When the Church as an institution over a period of decades allows its priests to commit horrendous acts and then protects those perpetrators, that creates a lot more than doubt - it severely erodes their credibility and moral authority. Being a person of faith in an age of instant communications and mobility is a matter of trust and choice, especially since the Bible can always be read directly. Catholics have every right to ask questions of those who demand their obedience; leaders have the burden to prove they and their message are worthy of the followers' trust. (NT) -- DamnRam, Fri April 22, 2005 11:05:21
- Another interesting article in Sat Times shows how Ratzinger has become more involved in review the abuse allegations and some of the real movement in these cases is due to his intervention. I think we will see even more work on this in the coming months and credibility in the Church is going to be slowly restored. At the same time, the obedience and trust that you site should be in the teachings and not as much in the persons. Do as they say; not as they do. (NT) -- bfg, Mon April 25, 2005 16:02:54

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