Vatican says child abuse "is a gay problem"

[electrochemist]

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''Many psychologists and psychiatrists have demonstrated that there is no relation between celibacy and paedophilia,'' the cardinal said. ''But many others have demonstrated, I have been told recently, that there is a relation between homosexuality and pedophilia. That is true. That is the problem.''

Comments

[entropius]

''Many psychologists and psychiatrists have demonstrated that there is no relation between homosexuality and delusions,'' the Snark said. ''But many others have demonstrated, I have been told recently, that there is a relation between Christianity and delusions. That is true. That is the problem.''

Fixed that for you.

[enlisted_smile]

Is Christian-bashing really necessary?

[entropius]

"Bashing" implies a lack of veracity and a sense of unfairness. The Catholic Church has surrendered any claim that it should not be criticized by supporting Prop 8 and by quotes like the one here

[enlisted_smile]

Saying Christianity is a delusion IS bashing. Calling out the Catholic church on their bullshit is one thing, but Christianity is more than the Catholic church.

There are many sane Christians, including many LGBT Christians, who take issue with being called delusional.

[tko_ak]

Please remember to tag your posts.

What I don't understand is how they can be so against homosexuality, against premarital sex, and against priests marrying...but then tolerate - even condone - sexual abuse (of the same sex).

I like Hitchens's idea: the next time the Pope steps foot off of Vatican City, arrest him for accessory.

[electrochemist]

Done! Sorry, forgot about that.

[itsjustmatt05]

I agree with you entirely about arresting the Pope for accessory. And I don't mean that in a joking way. I'm dead serious. He should be hauled off to the Hague, along with most of the College of Cardinals.

[himura_arimikoe]

I've been keeping tabs on this problem, and I can see why they made the move they did. Which isn't fair and isn't right, but the Vatican has been getting pressure to make statements regarding the pedophile priest scandals. The Pope hasn't offered any message or insight on the matter and seems to be looking the other way

[enlisted_smile]

Pretty much. They're treating the situation as if it were 100% sexual. It's not. I would wager that very little of these actions are truly sexual... they're about power and control, which is what most abuse is about. If the priests just wanted to get some, why not have sex with an adult? Raping a child is still breaking a celibacy vow.

[itsjustmatt05]

I know it's not necessarily right, but I'm becoming more and more anti-Roman Catholic by the minute. In my experience, the feeling is mutual for a host of reasons, not just their homophobia.

[keito_f]

If you know it is not right, then try to at least focus it on being anti-Roman Catholic hierarchy or opposing specifically those who are using religion to attack others.

Not all Catholics bash members of the LGBT community, in fact some people are both Catholic and LGBT, and others are Catholic and accepting even if they are not LGBT themselves.

For example http://www.dignityusa.org/

[itsjustmatt05]

Oh I know, I'm religious myself. In fact I'm on the Catholic wing of the Anglican Church. The Roman Catholic Church tends to be openly disdainful of Catholic Anglicans (and Anglicans in general) to the point that they are cheering on the gradual demise of the Anglican Church.

But that's another issue. Still, bring it all together with the RCC's largely anti-LGBT stance, and it makes me quite upset.

I should add that my growing anti-RCC stance is for the hierarchy and not the parishioners, generally speaking.