A couple of thoughts, Cari -- RealityFans

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Date Posted: 10:11:24 06/01/02 Sat
Author: Pateh
Subject: A couple of thoughts, Cari
In reply to: Cari 's message, "Discussion taken to the top (attn Alvin, WE67, and Tweety, esp.)" on 09:46:02 05/31/02 Fri

Hi Cari. Those were well thought out comments. I haven't read or watched much on the subject of the priests lately, because frankly, as a Catholic, it just hurts the soul. But after reading your comment and a couple of others, I wanted to add a bit more.

First of all, it has always been my understanding that in going into the priesthood, the sacrifice for doing so is celebacy. It allows the priest to put his sole attention on God and his parish. I know that with today's scandalous behaviours, it would seem an easy solution to allow marriage. I don't agree. The same expectation is for the nun, who is seen to have renounced earthly pleasures for Christ. The priest is expected to have no distractions from his calling of serving God and the people. A family would do that.

That in no way excuses what is being revealed now and in the past. I especially abhor the coverups and the transfers. This happened for years in the teaching profession and we all knew it but did nothing. As heartbreaking and angering as it is, hopefully out of today's horror will come a better priest, a more committed priesthood, and a happier Catholic society.

One more point that no one has brought up. Most of the priests that I have seen on tv are older priests. I know the custom for years, long ago, was to send away boys to the seminary when they were adolescents. A twelve year old boy, who had been raised to the priesthood expectation, would be accepting of all the experience in the seminary. It only goes to reason that a viscious circle was transpiring. Boys were probably abused by those who were abused before and in effect, became abusers themselves. It is my understanding that pedophiles make no distinction between boys and girls. It is the power they weld over helpless victims that excites them. Most likely they were abused themselves and their sexual maturity was arrested at a time when they felt helpless to do much about it. And so the circle goes round. Many pedophiles have both boy and girl victims, although boys may be more readily available in many instances...sports, cubs, big brothers etc. I don't see homosexuality as entering into it. It would seem that adult male survivors may become abusers themselves and female survivors may more likely suffer from low selfesteem and be more helpless in protecting their own children.

Did someone accuse you of a long post Cari? I hope they don't open this one. : )

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Replies:

Your points are also well taken, Pateh. -- Tweety, 17:12:37 06/01/02 Sat
Very well put Pateh -- Cari, 19:36:41 06/01/02 Sat