No Trial, No Punishment for Accused Molester Says Vatican

So much for our new Pope. This is a disgrace and this Maciel guy can do his penance and prayers in jail. He does not deserve to be called a Father. I do not understand why we are letting him off with all of the priest’s that has came forward.
I personally as a Catholic think Pope Benedict XVI does not deserve to be a Pope. I wonder what else we do not know?? Of course he does not even try to live a life like Jesus. I am speaking of his clothes, etc. Shame on him.

Why would the church honor Pope John Paul II by making him a saint? He protected child molesters & the current guy is no better. Obviously I’m not catholic. That bunch is the ultimate ol’ boys club. The abused children deserve justice but I’m not holding my breath. Can you imagine how they feel?

The hypocrisy continues.

UNBELIVEABLE!! This man should be put in jail like the rest of the perverts! How can the Catholic Church look the other way. Are they not ashamed of themselves!!

so…what’s wrong with that?
let’s just wink and look the other way
but mine’s ok
MONEY!!!

I don’t understand how the Church can say it’s a moral guide when it does things like this. It’s horrible. You can argue about the logic of arguments for any religion, but allowing sex abusers to go with no punishment? There’s nothing ethical about that.

In a time when the new pope has an opportunity to make great changes in the catholic church which are highly necessary and too long in coming, he has taken several giant steps backward in his leadership. How sad that politics take precedence over respect for the active priests in “his” care. My prayers are with those priests whose trust and faith in their “leader” has been so sadly missplaced.

Once again the church turns a blind eye and avoids what it needs to face up to. The priesthood is perceived as a haven for perverts and molesters. Let them marry and have decent people become priests. Who can we Catholics trust? Seriously? The Pope needs to go to confession and or step down for covering up this crime. Clean house now.

To Outsider:
You have to realize that these cases are from over 50 years ago, this didn’t happen last night. The statute of limitations is probably long sicne expired. There is no way to punish the priest to the fullest extent of the law. The process was whether or not to punish the priest internally. In this case the Vatican removed all public duties as a priest and told him to go live his life in prayer and penance. What should the Church have done burnt him at the stake? The Church can’t punish him anymore than derfocking him, nor can they stop secular authorities from making a case against the priest. If it was up to me I would make an example out of him, butthe Church is more forgiving I guess.
Most people here probably know about zilch as to the details of the case they are speaking about anyway.

Following the examples of Jesus Christ! What?! If Father Maciel was following Jesus Christ’s examples, he would be protecting God’s children, not harming, molesting and exploiting them. He should not be comparing himself to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is pure and good. Jesus Christ protected God’s children from harm whereas Father Maciel did not. Jesus Christ died and went to heaven, Father Maciel will not be.
The Catholic Church has lost all my trust in protecting God’s children. We are all God’s children. To those who harm, molest children and protect those that do, burn in Hell for all eternity. To those who stand with courage and compassion in their hearts to protect God’s children, thank you.

The indoctrination process of the Catholic
Church is so effectual among the faithful, particularly as it pertains to questioning church authority, that the mass of catholics still remain relatively silent againt the issue of sexual abuse. Indeed, while some catholics may register their disgust at such matters, they nonetheless continue to support an overwhelmingly patriarchal, secretive and condescending Vatican.

It is sad to see the Catholic Church and 2 popes fail so badly. That the new pope took such speed to “saintify” the last pope denigrates all previous saints and questions their status. When the new pope was selected, the cardinals brought in 20 nuns to “cook” for them. You’ve come a long way baby…I am a lapsed catholic means the church passed me by long ago and I can’t catch up. The newly found Judas Gospel may mean that those like me actually gravitated toward Jesus and his teachings as the Vatican drifted the wrong way. Doubt me anybody?

Was it gay sexual relations? (poster: Mike) If only talk and innuendo was involved I would call it harassment. If any physical contact was involved I would call it molestation. If any penetration was involved I would call it rape.
Unfortunately, there are incidents of this type in all religous venues. That’s why our faith and trust should be in God and not men. And by the way, no matter how ‘anointed” they tell you they are and they think they are, no matter how duped the “Legion of Lemmings” may be – they are just men. Men who can and will sin.

People are talking about PUNISHMENT, but folks, these are crimes that Father Maciel commited 50 years ago, if the civil authorities can’t press charges, what should the Vatican do? They can’t burn people at the stake anymore. This Priest was the founder of the Legionaires for Christ, a very respected Order of Priests and laymen now in ruins, an order this young depends on the sanctity of its founder, which is now destroyed. This is a HUGE move for the Church. For him to be censured is an enormous punishment. The Vatican can’t do that much more to an old man, they can’t put him in jail. You are all rushing to judgment. You act like the Church has the power to lock this guy up and throw away the key, this isn’t 1487 folks. Despite what ABCNEWS has said in this little piece Cardinal Ratzinger STARTED the investigation into Father Maciel in 1998, AND approved the censure of Father Maciel. This is a big mvoe in the right direction. The Pope is sick of the “filth” in the Church, and while men will always sin, priests are not given the benefit of the doubt anymore. But again if a priest hears of another priests actions during the sacrament of confession, that can’t be broken.

What punishment are you referring to? When you get right down to it, the statement from the Vatican says that all canonical process has been stopped, and that Fr. Maciel has been “invited” to withdraw from public life, which is what he has done anyways in light of his age and health. An “invitation” to keep the status quo is hardly an order or a censure. There is no finding whatsoever that Fr. Maciel did what he was accused of, and I doubt that it could have been proven or disproven in light of the passage of time. It appears to me that the media is putting a twist on this that is broader that the statement actually issued by the Vatican. Again, the Church and an individual, Fr. Maciel, is made to appear in a bad light, for obvious reasons. Certain people hate the truth ….

Bill,
What punishment would you like the Church to doll out? They already told him he can’t peform his duties as a preist and to live his life in penitence. The only reason I say it was 50 years ago is because the statute of limitations is gone for a civil prosecution. The Church can’t draw and quarter the priest, or burn him at the stake, what do you want them to do? They are not the civil authorities, they won’t jail him, they can’t. If you want him to be punished to the fullest extent of the law, then take it up with the civil authorities. The fact of the matter is this story trashes the new Pope when he is the one who STARTED the investigation into Father Maciel in 1998, and he approved the punishment. Father Maciel is like 80 something I think, the Church can’t jail him, they already pretty much removed all priestly duties from him, what can they do? So much vitriol and hatred in this thread towards an entire religion. Protestant ministers, Rabbi’s, school teachers, camp counselors, boy scouts, all have the same issues. It’s like wanting to become communist because of some corrupt politicians in Washington.

Letting Fr. Marcial Maciel’s declaration of innocence stand without any correction or comment certainly leaves the appearance of a vatican cover-up.

I agree with Mike’s comments defending the Pope. Most posters are so angry, it seems they are repeatedly saying the same thing. I repeat what Mike said, that the church DID take action. The church’s words in response were not very angry, but they did in fact remove him from his duties. By the way, did you ever consider that he may also have been abused? I work with abused people, and I find (research backs up) that abuse is learned. Often someone who was abused becomes an abuser.

Ok, let me see if I get this straight. The church does not punish child molesters but instead goes after (and with a vengence) two loving adults of the same sex who just want to care for each other a get married.
I think the church should care more about child molesters than it does about two loving consensual adults who want to marry.
… And we wonder what is wrong with the world. Start with the priorities of the catholic church.

Croffer,
All Christ did was let sinners go unpunished and forgiven, that was Christs entire message, one of forgiveness, and not of judgment (go read the parable of the Samaritan woman at the well John 4:5-26; 39-42), because we are all horrible sinners in God’s eye. Molesting a 14 year old boy is no more a sin in God’s eye than fornication, divorce and remarriage, or cheating in business. That is why we can punish wrong actons and call for justice, but we souldn’t judge people. Now if Father Maciel is guilty of molestation 50 years ago what exactly would you have the Church do? They punished him, they can’t jail Father Maciel. But the Vatican will opt towards forgiveness rather than calling for blood like everyone in this thread. I am all for punishment, if the civil courts could make a case and convict Father Maciel, then they should, and I would enjoy a molester serving a long prison term, however I have no problem with what the Church did, what more would you guys have them do? THE CHURCHES JOB IS TO FORGIVE SINNERS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST, not further condemn them. How would you feel if you went into confession and told the Priest of an affair, and instead of counseling you with kindness and granting absolution, he called you a pig, and told you to get out of the Church? Maybe if they burnt Father Maciel alive you would feel justified or better?

Another case for the dangers of Religion in any form. Christians, just like Muslims, are wrong.

Being a survivor or severe sexual abuse by my parish priest some forty years ago, it is hard for me to believe that this pope would have done any less than the last. Put any name to it you like, it is evil. My heart weeps for those abused. Harriet

I completely disagree with the comment that supports the theory that in God’s eye molesting a 14 year old is no more a sin than cheating in business. Can you return someone’s virtue? I think not. If you cheat someone in business, at least you have the potential capability of repaying them what they may have lost monetarily.

Perhaps all the sexual problems that arise inside the Catholic church stem from their policy stating clergy cannot marry! The church takes this stand by claiming St.Peter was single. However, the infallible Pope must surely know that, according to Matthew 8:14,15, Jesus healed Peters mother-in-law…or does he? And certainly he knows that St. Paul told Timothy [1 Tim.3:2] that a Bishop CAN marry!
But, hey, after all, why should we expect this priest to be punished, when Hitler..a Catholic.. has never been ex-communicated?

I agree with Mike. I live in Mexico, and just the fact that Father Maciel has been “put out to pasture” as some see it, by orders of the Vatician, it is as much a declaration of his guilt. He’s been stripped of all duties, and while he may not be rotting in jail for the remaing days of his life, for the founding father of the “millionaires of Christ” (as we in Mexico like to call them) this is a very public humiliation and condemnation. If he’s really guilty of what he’s been accused of, and if he’s repented and asked God for forgiveness and confessed for his sins and been absolved, then case closed. That’s the Church way, its doctrine. I feel (and I’m sure many of you too) that that is NOT enough. It was and is a crime. I would like for him to publicly admit it (and show some remorse). Now, while my sins are not in the same league as Maciel’s, would I like my parrish priest to make me admit them publicly? No. But would I, as part of my pennance and for my salvation, go and ask my accuser for forgiveness? Yes. But that’s me. My faith is strong. I know what’s right and what’s wrong. That doesn’t make me perfect. Only God is perfect and he still forgives us. I wonder how many of you can admit they are without sin?

Reading this story squashed the bit of interest I had about learning more and perhaps regularly attending (and giving money to)a Catholic church. Yes, Protestants (and any other group)have child abusers too, but at least we don’t think everything the Pope says is sacred and straight from the mouth of God. Reading in the story that the then-cardinal slapped the reporter’s hand and said he shouldn’t ask questions about a child abuse case…. that’s just obviously wrong. To the poster who said that it was just ‘spiritual sloth’ that was the reason most of the other posters have lost their faith, and not the sex abuse cases and the cover-ups/lack of investigation — let me remind you of a very important Christian tenet : Judge not, lest ye be also judged.
I’ve been through abuse and trust me, it can easily cause serious doubts about how God can allow innocent ones to suffer. I just choose to believe anyway in God being a source of good, and wanting to do good myself, despite the myriad of tragedies in this world.

Excuses, excuses, bla, bla …. Outside of the church, if you abuse children, you are labeled as a sex offender and in California at least, your every move is monitored and it is posted on a website for EVERYONE to view.
This man was a child abuser.
STOP PROTECTING A CHILD ABUSER!

The Church has compassion for gay men and women, the Bible says sodomy is a crime that makes the heavens cry out for justice. How can the Church just cut out what it says about gay relations in the Bible and 2000 years of Sacred Tradition? They can’t, it’s there and taught as a sin just as fornication, or divorce and remarriage or adultery are, jsut like in Islam and Judaism. The Church can’t allow that as acceptable behavior. People KEEP talking about jail, the Church can’t jail him, that’s up to the civil authorities. The fact is this is a case of a gay man bullying young men into gay sex, not pedophilia, pedophilia is sex with a pre-pubescent child. The entire scandal is a problem with gay men who run to the priesthood in an effort to push away their homosexual tendancies. It doesn’t work, Governor McGreevy was going to join the priesthood in hopes that the vow of celibacy would quell his desires, it would’ve been a disaster. I can’t stand pedophiles, it’s disgusting, and if the civil courts could try Fr Maciel then they should do it, but the Church is there to welcome any sinner back if they repent and turn away from their sin. No one on these boards would get any different treatment. And if a gay man today repented and turned from his fornication and sodomy he would be welcomed with open arms back into grace. I know forgiveness is a tough concept for people whose natural tendancies are revenge, but it is the only true Chrisitan way.

How can Fr. Maciel admit to something he didn’t do?

This is just one more reason I no longer attend any catholic services…or give them a penny of my money! I find that giving to local charities is more satisfying and I converse with GOD while out in nature!

Jeff,
it’s an act of faith. Either you believe or you don’t. I became a Catholic by choice. It wasn’t fed down my throat by birth. I was raised a 7th day Adventist. I had the liberty to choose. You either get it or you don’t. If what you see as lies, I choose to believe is the truth. It’s your choice. And while I’m as outraged as anyone else with the actions of Fr. Maciel and those who tend to look the other way, I’m not going to condem all priests. Our Church isn’t perfect. I’ve had the fortune to know some pretty wonderful ones. As any job, and let’s not kid ourselve, it’s their job, there are some priests that really missed their calling. I pray for them. I would like to see some reforms, allowing priest to marry is one of them, but until this happens, we as practicing Catholics accept what is a given. If you don’t, I’m sure you can come up with a suitible religious sect that conforms to your idea of what you are looking for. That’s pretty much how the rest got started. Good luck. As for me and oh, I don’t know, several million others, we’ll just keep going to mass and praying for our spirital leaders.

I too am fed up with what is happening in the Catholic Church. For centuries the church has leaned to whatever country conqured the are that they were in or to the ruling party. God said that men and women should be married this includes ministers of all religions.
We need to follow what God teaches not what man has ordained as the truth.
The church is the wealthist in world and many of its followers go hungry, both in food and the true word.

judge not lest ye be judged…

In the name of God,chop his head off and say a prayer for his soul.

Well, We see who’s court the ball is in. None other than a member of the New World Order, like Bush and his clan.