Dear Editor:
After reading some of the results of the meeting of American Cardinals in Rome, I must say that I am appalled! They have said that they would dismiss a priest "who has become notorious and is guilty of serial, predatory sexual abuse of a minor." That's it?!? How many children must one abuse before becoming notorious? How many children must one abuse before it becomes "serial?" Then, after a priest achieves this notoriety, he simply gets dismissed!! Tell me, if you or I or your neighbor or a school teacher or a scout leader or babysitter or whoever, were to molest or rape a child, would the law wait to see if that person was a "serial" molester or was "notorious?" Not a chance in you-know-where!! NOR SHOULD THEY!!!
The Vatican does not want to adopt a no tolerance policy. Fine. How about one of just following the law? If a person is accused of violating a law, the proper authorities should be called and let our legal system work. If the person is found not guilty, fine. If guilty, then let them take responsibility for their actions. This is not a religious issue, but a legal one. Finally, since I am not Catholic, I hesitate to comment on Church practices, but I honestly feel that if a priest was allowed to marry and have children, to raise and nurture them, to worry about their well-being, then a pedophile priest would NEVER be allowed back into a position to become a repeat offender.
Cullen Johnson
RHD Lentz Cafeteria
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
