What is going on with Catholic Priests?

[Solid Snake]

I've been hearing a lot of stuff on the news about priests abusing young boys. Some say that celebacy is responsible for this. Is it true that some priests can marry? I know Orthodox priests can marry before entering the priesthood. Any thoughts?

[caddmannq]

"Just lay your troubles at the altar, my son."

They used to tell us that in catechism...

Good thing I never listened!

[Mortis]

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[thekingofpain]

The same thing thats been going on for many many years---its only now we are taking notice (or at least adressing it) for some strange reason...

Originally posted by Mortis
I was talking with a friend about this... Currently, Catholic Priests can not marry. However, that position is under review. As to your question, I dont have an informed opinion, but found his perspective interesting... even though I dont share it.

His take is that SOME persons who are drawn to seminary school and a life of chasity harbor great guilt and self condemnation toward themselves for whatever reasons... among them - interest and attraction for child pornography and molestation. These persons know that these impulses and preferences are "immoral" and "illegal" and usually come from a very fundamental and strict religous family/environment. As a result, their conflict for "pleasures of the flesh" and moral spiritual existence lead them out of despairity to a life of chasity and repentance... the church. Eventually, flesh wins out over spirituality... hence the headlines.

As I have said, I dont completely agree with this but have no opinions myself. I hesitate to generalize and create blanket explanations... on top of this, I am not religious and have never known a single Priest, Father.... so on and so forth. But thought I would share his perspective, for what its worth.

Mortis

so are some people saying since they can't marry this is why they do it?

[Mortis]

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[Chooco]

one guy on TV explained it as this:
he grew up thinking that the church had magical healing powers and such, he found that he was attracted to young boys so he joined the church in hopes of this 'condition' leaving him and for him to be normal but it just made boys more accessable and that totaly screwed up his plan.

good thing i believed church heirarchy was BS from the start.

oh okay

well like TKOP said its been going on for years, and since several people are coming out into the open. others are too. They feel more comfortable since other have came forward also. they thought they were the only one and ashamed.

And people criticize me for not being religious.

It's about time they do something about these pervs!

[Tazman]

Same thing that has always been going on from what I understand .

Don't really know, I was raised Baptist .

I wouldn't normally respond to a religion thread but it seems sad IMO, that people look to the church for comfot / direction (any religion - Catholic, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, etc.,) and get taken advantage of like that (remember Jim Baker, Jimmy Swagert).

I don't know about y'all, but it seems that religion is playing a major part of our politics today (and since 9/11/01). It scares me to see what is happening in the middle east and the suicide bombings that are happening. I've always concidered myself to be open-minded and accepting but I can't accept killing in the name of God - just my opinion. Can't we all just get along?

Back to the subject at hand. IMO, they outta FRY the people convicted of sex crimes instead of the normal probation / rehabilitation that seems to be protocol in the states so they can do it again. Or a more humane approach of castration .

'Course, I usually stay away from this topic because I've been known to be very opinionated about these matters.

How 'bout those Mets .

mike