The LA Catholic diocese has settled for 3/4 Billion dollars in a class-action child molestation case.
Why isn't the D.A. pursuing criminal charges? Especially against Archbishop Roger Mahoney?
DF
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Knowledge of a felony is not a crime in many states.
Mahoney knew this priest(Father Oliver O'Grady)was abusing children, and because of his own ambitions, turned a blind eye and sent O'Grady to one parish after another where several more molestations took place.He was an accessory to felony sexual molestation. In addition -he lied in testimony- that's perjury.
Ignoring the abuses makes him a monster, but not a criminal, unfortunately. Unless he actively participated in the crime he's not an accessory. Was he under oath?
Unlike England, a private citizen may not initiate a private prosecution, but a citizen in California could swear out a warrent for a crime. If the district attorney declines to prosecute, then its on his head come next election.
Unlike England, a private citizen may not initiate a private prosecution, but a citizen in California could swear out a warrent for a crime. If the district attorney declines to prosecute, then its on his head come next election.
I've been listening for a defense of Mahoney and the church, but the universal opinion is that he's a monster.
Let's say you have a convention of barbers, and another convention of catholic priests. At which convention would you find 4-5% of the participants are child molesters?
What does it say about the church that so many of its officers are so immoral? How dare they try to shepherd anyone to the ways of morality?
DF
Let's say you have a convention of barbers, and another convention of catholic priests. At which convention would you find 4-5% of the participants are child molesters?
What does it say about the church that so many of its officers are so immoral? How dare they try to shepherd anyone to the ways of morality?
DF
DF,
It may have to do with the system of celibacy more than anything. Never understood the tradition. Its not part of the jewish tradition, except for the Essenes, hardly a mainstream group. Jewish tradition is thru the mother, that should indicate something.
One sees the same sexual flustration pressure cooker in stricter muslim societies. The young boys trained in the madrassas are preyed upon by the mullahs, in the same manner.
Old arab saying, "For a son, get a woman. For pleasure, get a boy. For ectasy, get a goat."
It may have to do with the system of celibacy more than anything. Never understood the tradition. Its not part of the jewish tradition, except for the Essenes, hardly a mainstream group. Jewish tradition is thru the mother, that should indicate something.
One sees the same sexual flustration pressure cooker in stricter muslim societies. The young boys trained in the madrassas are preyed upon by the mullahs, in the same manner.
Old arab saying, "For a son, get a woman. For pleasure, get a boy. For ectasy, get a goat."
I think that anytime you have a situation that does not allow "natural" desires (and I'm including sex and marriage in this) to be fulfilled you're going to attract people who aren't concerned about those "natural" desires.
Thus, you attract men who aren't interested in sex or marriage. Then when they molest children everybody is appalled. (And I am not saying they are gay. I'm saying they are perverts. )
Thus, you attract men who aren't interested in sex or marriage. Then when they molest children everybody is appalled. (And I am not saying they are gay. I'm saying they are perverts. )
I'm not a Catholic, I'm certainly not a priest (omg, can you imagine?). But there is something definitely wrong with the institution and it's perverse attitudes toward sex.
I wonder where it came from. Celibacy was not a tenet of priesthood until around 1100.
If religion is the foundation of morality, why do these extremely religious men show such immoral tendencies?
DF
I wonder where it came from. Celibacy was not a tenet of priesthood until around 1100.
If religion is the foundation of morality, why do these extremely religious men show such immoral tendencies?
DF
quote:Originally posted by DeepFat:
I'm not a Catholic, I'm certainly not a priest (omg, can you imagine?). But there is something definitely wrong with the institution and it's perverse attitudes toward sex.
I wonder where it came from. Celibacy was not a tenet of priesthood until around 1100.
If religion is the foundation of morality, why do these extremely religious men show such immoral tendencies?
DF
Question DF-
What is your opinion of the average priest who spends his whole career doing the right thing by living a religious life and by bringing people to Christ?
He could still be charged with Criminal FAcilitation -- he is their superior and they are under his direction, he knew and didn't do anything to stop it...he didn't even reassign them...Couldn't he be charged with Aiding and Abetting (sp)...being an accessory after the fact or at the least -- Negligence?
chuck, most priests devote themselves to a life of service. I think their premises are wrong, but they deserve admiration for very real sacrifices.
But... it's hard to find any group of people, besides NAMBLA, who are so consistently guilty of child abuse, and even more consistently guilty of allegiance to their orders rather than kindness and justice.
Just as I don't care about the 99% of muslims who don't bomb people rather than the 1% who do, I care about the 5% of priests who are child molesters.
DF
But... it's hard to find any group of people, besides NAMBLA, who are so consistently guilty of child abuse, and even more consistently guilty of allegiance to their orders rather than kindness and justice.
Just as I don't care about the 99% of muslims who don't bomb people rather than the 1% who do, I care about the 5% of priests who are child molesters.
DF