So how does the anti-semitism angle work in? It would have been a stretch, but, thankfully, the pope’s preacher has a Jewish friend (who oddly has remained anonymous so far). Cantalamessa’s Jewish friend (I guess even a Catholic priest is allowed one Jewish pen pal) was, in a letter, kind enough to point out how much the Jewish suffering throughout modern history was very much like the current suffering of the Catholic clergy.
What deranged mind could possibly lump these two concepts together? You’ve got to wonder if these priests are entirely stuck in the 14th century. After decades and decades of abuse have finally spilled out into the open, a very healthy amount of anger is being directed at the superstructure of possibly the most corrupt and vile religious organization currently operating in the world, and the Church’s response to the problem is what? “Stop picking on the pope,” they cry, even though Ratzinger was a sitting archbishop while a child-molesting priest was allowed to move freely among the faithful in his diocese. I guess he was too busy writing about the evils of Harry Potter to notice a sexual deviant busily raping children in the choir-loft.
So Father Cantalamessa thinks the rest of the world’s intolerance is to blame for the current situation in the Church, and the pope’s personal exorcist thinks it is the Devil. Could someone please turn over control of this, the largest religious organization in the entire world, to some people who are not elderly, disconnected white men? Maybe then serial pedophiles will be, I don’t know, not protected from justice? I suppose I can dream, right?
3 Comments
Great piece Theo.
Great article. Race and lack of moral fortitude are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I am not in the habit of integrating my point of view on a website, but in this case I felt compelled to share my thoughts and feelings. In reading your article I felt uncomfortable and offended at the same time. I am an old school Catholic and have always treasured my religion. The abuse and sexual attacks on children by clergy is undeniably a horrific situation and I detest it. I do not however feel the whole church and its teaching should be put into a melting pot along with the corruption and offenses of a portion of its so called leaders. I am offended because I hold my church and my faith as the rock that has molded me in my life to become the person I am. In my opinion this is one instance where state and church should come together. Those offenders should be prosecuted for their offenses and held accountable in a court of law. Abuse and child molestation should never be protected by the church or tried by its leaders.