Perhaps it is the right time for all Catholics worldwide to garner support for the bashing the secular press is giving to Pope Benedict XVI. As the visible head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict is an easy target for the secular press and collective media that has any type of anti-Catholic grudge that offers at opportunity at sensationalism. Some secular journalists are waging a ad hominem attack against the Pope as a larger delivery method of anti-Catholic rhetoric.
The personal attacks aimed at Benedict XVI are not justified and reflect a growing and pervasive attempt to discredit the activities of good priests, bishops and religious of both sexes that faithfully serve the world’s Catholic faithful without any involvement in scandals. While there are quite a few examples of sexual abuse that are surfacing throughout the Catholic world, most of the reported cases are extremely dated and quite frankly old. When these cases are considered, Catholics and indeed all observers need to ask why the allegations of abuse were unreported for decades by scores of allegedly abused victims.
Now before anyone gets miffed at my points, I categorically state that there is never any justification for abuse of any kind towards anyone at the hands of priests, bishops, and religious or for that matter anyone else. My thoughts are simply this, why is so much time and consideration taken for cases involving priests that are long dead? The real concern should be the consideration of the present situation of the Church throughout the world and scrupulously seek out current situations that provide opportunities for sexual abuse in our Catholic facilities.
Anyone that has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest at any time needs to come forward, present themselves and follow prescribed protocols for civil prosecution of these allegations. Unfortunately, it seems many Catholic priests have been accused of sexual misconduct, but there has not been any follow up with criminal prosecution and judicial disposition.
It is time for both victims of sexual abuse and Catholic Church officials to implement a zero tolerance policy that follows a clear direction that starts with the initial allegations. Namely, if indeed allegations towards a Catholic priest are lodged, civil authorities must be immediately notified and the victim needs to pursue criminal charges against the accused priest.
The system of due process here in the United States needs to be implemented all around the world. If allegations are raised, the priest needs to be removed from active ministry pending the results of criminal investigation and pending criminal charges. If in fact the victim is not willing to file anytime of civil charges against the priest…then the matter needs the utmost investigation on the part of the local diocese and responsible parties for review of the entire situation that forced the allegations to come to light.
However, priests alleged of criminal abuse have the protection of our American system of legal protection. They are indeed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Settlements of any monetary nature that are intended to subvert and evade the American judicial process are not acceptable and should be avoided by all bishops. Many priests have had their religious lives ruined by allegations without any type of due process of law, which has violated their rights and made them victims as well.
In regards to Pope Benedict XVI, global Catholics should rally in support of the Holy Father and not only pray for his continued perseverance in handling this painful scandal, but also visibly support him by our actions and prayers. This author intends to continue to write articles that support the Holy Father. Catholics everywhere need to start flying the papal flag, wear a Support Pope Benedict XVI button and stop the personal attacks on him.
If in fact any other religious leader was publicly attacked by the secular media, there would be a religious jihad, a boycott, a stoppage of work or even a military attack by the Israeli air force.
The religious communities of the world’s religions would not tolerate any inappropriate representations of the Great Prophet of Islam, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem would never be subjected to such personal attacks and any number of minor luminaries in the Hollywood sphere of self-proclaimed importance would ever tolerate any degradation of their personal beliefs or behaviors.
Catholics should not tolerate any such activities against our Pope, our Catholic Church or our Catholic faith. Regardless of the allegations of misbehavior lodged against any member of the Catholic Clergy, Pope Benedict bashing is wrong and unjustified.
Catholics defend the Pope, our Faith and our Sacred Beliefs…withdraw support of any means to any group that continues to persecute our Holy Father personally or for any other unjustified reason. Secular journalism should not wage war against the entire Catholic Church by means of journalistic terrorism against Pope Benedict XVI by seeking an end to his pontificate.
If anything, secular journalists with inclinations to sensationalize the use of the press for anti-Catholic purposes need to sit back and consider all of the great contributions the Catholic Church has made to our global community throughout history…starting with the most basic forms of Church journalism that we call, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
In closing, I would like to invoke the phrase first formulated into a musical rendition by the Very Reverend Msgr. Hugh Henry, the Vatican Swan in the 19th century & a fellow St. Charles Borromeo Seminary haunter, “Long Live the Pope of Rome!â€
Hugh J.McNichol is a Catholic author and journalist writing on Catholic topics and issues. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he studied both philosophy and theology. He writes frequently at http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com & http://nothing-left-unsaid.blogspot.com . Hugh writes about his Irish Catholic upbringing and educational experiences at http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com . He has contributed works to Catholic News Agency, Catholic Online, The Irish Catholic, Dublin, the British Broadcasting Company, London and the Philadelphia Bulletin, Catholic Exchange, Pewsitter.com, Blogger News Network & The Catholic Business Journal,CatholicMom.com. & Catholic.net Comments are always welcome at hjmn4566@gmail.com.
16 users commented in " Support Benedict XVI from Secular Journalist Terrorism! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackLong live the Pope!
My oh my… the author of this piece is just as unencumbered with regard for the scores of raped and tortured children as the Catholic Church has been, and instead cares more for the Church hirearchy than for the real victims here, who, by the by, is NOT the pope.
Let me address some of your misguided comments:
” all observers need to ask why the allegations of abuse were unreported for decades by scores of allegedly abused victims”
–> Obviously, the author is conveniently forgetting that (1) in the case of the evil Father Murphy who raped and tortured 200 deaf children in Milwakee, the victims have been trying for 30 years to get the Vatican to do something about it, to no avail as Cardinal Ratzinger (funny that his name contains the word ‘rat’, no?) dismissed their complaints and let the evil Father Murphy die a priest and accorded all privileges as such; (2) in Ireland, there is the case of two children, ages 10 and 14, who WERE FORCED by the church hierarchy to sign AN OATH OF SECRECY and NEVER tell anyone about the horrors the children endured at the hands of Ireland’s most notorious serial child rapist, who was as you guessed it a Catholic priest and who was simply moved from parrish to parrish; (3) POPE BENEDICT himself in his letter to the Irish states that when victims had the courage to come forth and report the rape, no one would listen.
So please, to the author of this piece, please think before you write such barbaric idiocy.
“why is so much time and consideration taken for cases involving priests that are long dead?”
—> Some of the evil Catholic Priest child-rapists are dead, yes, but most of their victims are alive and paying every day of their lives for as long as they live for the horror of child rape that they endured at the hands of these monsters and the complete disregard for their welfare by the Church. The Church must be made accountable and make reparations to these child rape survivors… I know that for many Church officials, children are expendable and they are nothing more but the vessel for the sexual release of Catholic Priests, but not for any decent human being.
2.6 billion has been paid out in this country. That is reparation enough. The potential for fraud is enormous. It must be recognized that the attack on Benedict XV1 originates within the church. The police investigated Lawrence Murphy in 1974 and did not press charges why not? Is the other poster affiliated with Snap, they seem to be everywhere.
. W
ive got news for you good catholics-as soon as we get done with the moral and financial failure that is THE LARGEST OLDEST MOST POWERFUL WORLD PEDOPHILE CULT IN THE HISTORY OF MAN-WHEN THIS IS OVER IM GONNA MAKE THE GOOD CATHOLIC PEOPLE EXPLAIN WHY GOOD PRIESTS ARE DYING AT A RATE OF THREE TIMES THE GENERAL POPULATION FROM AIDS AND AIDS RELATED ILLNESESS-ONLY ONE WAY OUT IF YOUR REALLY A GOOD ANYTHING-QUIT PUTTING MONEY IN THE BASKET TO PAY FOR INSURANCE TO PAY VICTIMS LIKE ME-TELL THE SWISS GUARD TAKE DOWN THEIR BLOOMERS AN EXPLAIN HOW YOU GUARDED AND RECIEVED COMESATION FROM THE ORGANIZATION THAT RAPED YOUR COUNTRYS KIDS FOR GENERATIONS. TURN IN YOUR PRETTY LITTLE BLOOMERS YOURE A DISGRACE TO YOUR COUNTRY,YOURE KIDS AND YOURE GIVING MERCINARIES A REALLY BAD NAME-AND NEVER ANY WORD FROM GOOD CATHOLICS ABOUT THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE WORLD WIDE-THE GREAT WHORE IS FALLEN NO MATTER HOW GOOD CATHOLICS DRESS IT-IT’S A HARRLOT- YOU PAID US -NOW YOUR GETTING SCREWED TOO- HOW DOES THAT FEEL? THE EXORCISSIM HAS BEGUN-AND GREAT IS THE FALLING AWAY-HAPPY RESERECTION DAY
Yes, Snap is out and about plus I detect Sister Maureen Paul Turlish.
SNAP IS A CHOCAGO BASED CATHOLIC GROUP FOR SURVIVORS-SNAP FOUNDER DAVID CLOSSEY HAS A BROTHER WHOS A PERP PRIEST IN TREATMENT-HE WONT TELL YOU -I DID- HES ALOT LIKE THE POPE -YOUR POPE NOT MINE- DOSENT WANT THE MISSION AFFECTED BY THE TRUTH AN ONLY A CATHOLIC CONEHEAD WOULD GIVE A RATS FANNY WHO SISTER TURLISH IS- WAS- OR SAID. AN SWALLOW THIS MEHERBA-149 ALTERBOYS SPLIT UP 198,000,00O.OO-THATS MILLIONS IN SAN DIEGO- OF THOSE ONLY SEVEN WON MULTI MILLION DOLLAR AWARDS-IM ONE OF THOSE-I OWE THAT TO KISSEL -BOUCHER AND LARSEN OF BEVERLY HILLS THE BEST LAWYERS IN THIS COUNTRY AND NOW I HOPE TO SUE YOUR POPES GOVERMENT THANKS TO THE SUPREEM COURT WHICH HAS FIVE CATHOLIC JUDGES SEATED -THINK I WILL GET A FAIR DISISION?-BUT ID RATHER HAVE POPE, ON A ROPE-NOW OFF TO CATICISSIM-AND WHY IS THERE CHIMPANZIE D-N-A -ON YOURE SECOND GENOME TIER- THAT CREATION STORY IS NOT HOLDING WATER ANY LONGER-ABUSE TRACKER.ORG -BISHOP ACCOUNTIBILITY. ORG -READ THESE FOR TEN YEARS EVERY DAY -SNAP CARES ABOUT THE CHURCH AN CATHOLICS SO DOES SISTER TURLISH I HOPE – THATS NOT THE CASE WITH ME -I WANT YOUR CHURCH DESSIMATED IN PUBLIC VIEW-IM GONNA DANCE IN THE RUIN OF YOUR DISSGRACE-NO ETERNAL REWARD WILL FORGIVE YOU FOR WASTING THE DAWN-SNAPS FOR VICTIMS-IM YOUR CHUCHES NEXT NIGHTMARE-JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT COULDENT GET ANY WORSE-YOURE FLESH AND BLOOD- I WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD BUT AGAINST POWERS AND PRINCIPALITIES AND SPIRLTUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGHEST PLACE-AN THE CONEHEADS THINK THIS CAN BE FOUGHT WITH CATHOLIC BLOGING-SORRY JESUS YOU DESERVED BETTER
In treatment not in jail! Sounds as if some bishop hasn’t heard. Are you caps challenged?
I know better to than to type while ENRAGED -spell either but at least i didnt swear an right now for me thats real spirtual growth-an the only miracle im doing for the faithful this WEEK-closseys just another sad footnote in this story but your such Damaged Goods now that you might get some coverage but yould have an Icebergs chance in HELL of getting any traction besides their both just Catholics doing what They think is right/ capps for emphisis in lou of my general desire to reach out and strangle you with mear conversation- READ priests of darkness.com -and if clossey is all you got your ONE of them.Part of the LARGEST ORGANIZED RELIGIOUS PEDOPHILE CULT IN HUMAN HISTORY- closseys brother is the LEAST of your worries-TWO GIRLS- VERRY strange went to moscow to ride the train-and GOD didnt save, protect or KILL anybody RELIGON DID all the KILLING
Im truly sitting her with my hand over my mouth.Im a believer in Jesus Christ,I was talking on another spot about the denominational thing,an man made rules.What Jesuse said to the religious leaders,in his walk here.Im so sorry you were wounded by this,an also glad you.As well as others were award.But i do pray you dont carry around bitterness towards the Lord,an innocent believers.I am a serviver of Rape,an molestation.However it didnt happen in a church org. I do pray you still have a relationship with the Jesus,an somehow are own the path to healing in your heart.
But for the smaller people who are,or were in that denomination.They to have been hurt by what has Happened,as many little people may not have know known this was taking place,until it was exposed..So dont be angry with them.They may have been put into a tail spin,an some may have looked at man,an the org church.An have lost their faith.An for those i hope they are restored to faith in the lord.,when all this is over.No other name should be lifted up,except Jesus,in no denomination.But this needed to come out .
Poor children had to live with this all their lives,so sad. An to think it had been kept quiet for yrs.Now thats a shame.
Vivia papa, long live the pope!
Ah, I see all the Catholic basher are out in force.
What they are overlooking is statistics, so I posted them elsewhere.
The real story is that sexual predators from all walks of life usually get away with their abuse…
This is a sadly typical reaction by any religious group to the exposure of serious wrongdoing – claim bias and circle the wagons. This is not a matter of Catholic bashing, it’s about the Vatican’s reaction (or lack thereof) to decades of child molestation committed by priests around the world. Rome never once held predatory priests legally accountable for their actions until they were shamed into it only a few years ago. The rest of the time, victims were bought off with quickie settlements or threatened into silence. The pedophiles themselves were shuffled off to new venues where they could – and did – commit their crimes all over again.
This is not about religion. It’s about crimes committed against thousands of children around the world.
Any other organization which has the Catholic Church’s record of deliberately ignoring serious crimes in its midst would be disbanded and its leaders jailed. Why should the Vatican get a free ride?
4’000 opius day students bloging – ITS A HARLOT no matter how you dress it-we didnt see any of you till the KA _KA landed right on the originator-did you see the recent numbers of your members leaving in MASS-NO YOUR MISTAKEN you little catholic cone head the real story is that BIBLICAL PROFFICY HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN FULFILLED IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES THAT DONT SEE-EARS THAT DONT HEAR-MOUTHS THAT CANT SPEEK-in order for good priests to die of a rate of 3 to 1 the general pouplation from aids and aids related diseases that means there is a lot of IV drug sharing and OR hot GOOD PRIEST ON GOOD PRIEST ACTION OR BOTH going on wile there all looking the other way for there peidophile pals-you dont know what BASHING is/ IM gonna wait for GOOD FRIDAY for that -the bisop of san diego-brom- and the pope himself made ME the higest paid HOOKER in NEVADA i dont think you want to screw with me- but I just LOVE watching him DO YOU-AND SEEING YOU ALL DO IT TO YOUR SELFS-OFF TO CATISISSIM CONE HEADS-FOR LENT I WANT YOU ALL TO SLICE YOUR WRISTS-PEACE OUT
REVELATION-18/1-24 AND 19/1-3-SUPPORT GOD-VICTIMS AND KIDS. BLOGGING DOSENT DETOUR DESTINY-ABUSE TRACKER.ORG-BISHOP ACOUNTIBILITY.ORG -PRIESTS OF DARKNESS.ORG-THE LARGEST- OLDEST- MOST POWERFUL- ORGANIZED- RELIGIOUS-CHILD PEDOPHILE-CULT-IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD-Id say according to your book you all got about a couple of paragraphs to get it together-times short and GODs …WATCHING! To me its like a national geographic special on WOLFS-your papa WOLF is caught in the frozen snow in a BEAR trap he just didnt see comming-an he’s gonna have to chew his leg off to get out-the white snow a bloody mess.When he does get out-me an my PACK,are going to EAT our former leader for lunch-HAPPY EASTER-APRIL FOOLS
Steven Joseph Rotolo,
you’re just full of venom huh? this is the second unsubstantiated and poorly researched post I’ve seen you make, by chance I saw you on another one doing the same. I’m truly sorry you’ve had bad experiences, but that does not give you ammo to arbitrarily attack everything Catholic.
Even with a few minutes of searching you can see its CLEAR Pope Benedict is cleared of any false charges. This is coming from SECULAR MEDIA even.
http://rootofjesse2.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/what-did-cardinal-ratzinger-really-know-and-do-the-father-murphy-nyt-story-is-wrong/
it’s unfortunate people don’t like the truth.
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