(June 2, 2012 at 9:37 pm)Minimalist Wrote: If they had done that they would not now be facing bankruptcy for trying to cover up the actions of pedo-priests and lets not forget that herr von popenfuhrer is the worst of the lot.Restitution is due to victims regardless if any cover up occurred, and you don't see any cover ups in this case either. The Pope is not "the worst of the lot" nor did he ever cover up any abuse. Did you not read the news story you posted? None of it deals with cover ups, as you try to insinuate.
These holy cocksuckers care about one thing. Money.
The sooner you get that through your fucking head the better off you'll be.
(June 2, 2012 at 9:29 pm)padraic Wrote: IF you REALLY want a balanced view, I refer you to 'The Case Of The Pope' by Geoffrey Robertson Qc, international jurist.
Roberston puts his finger on perhaps THE issue; to this day,the Church clearly believes Canon law trumps civil law. For centuries, the church has protected its clergy from civil authorities. It has been protecting pedophile priests since the second century,AS POLICY.
Canon law does trump civil law (though they RARELY ever come into conflict unless a government is explicitly trying to suppress Catholicism, as is currently the case in China). That being said, Canon law doesn't protect pedophile priests (on the contrary), nor is it all that "secretive" as much as some people like to fantasize. You can read the entirety of canon law on the Vatican's website:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
And note also that Pope Benedict XVI, while head of the CDF, raised the age for severe punishments from 16 to 18, regardless of local age of consent law. Canon law is just general guidelines for the Church, its not the same thing as criminal law, and ecclesiastical trials are separate from criminal trials. The Vatican does not have the authority to throw a molester into prison or give him the chair or whatever the author is on about. They do have the authority to dissolve their vows or suspend their ministry, which they do. (Actually even the local bishop has the authority to suspend ministry). In the case of molestation, local laws concerning crime reports are to be followed, and the case is also to be reported to the Vatican that their vows be removed. I don't know of any molesters who were given a "warning" from a canon law trial, so either he's just talking about the penalties in general or he's making things up. Either way, you don't get away with it
None of this is relevant to this news story though, in which the Vatican isn't even involved.
Mary Immaculate, star of the morning
Chosen before the creation began
Chosen to bring for your bridal adorning
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
Sinners, we honor your sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for your pity we plead;
Grand us the shield of your sovereign protection,
Measure your aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which your footsteps have trod;
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying,
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
Chosen before the creation began
Chosen to bring for your bridal adorning
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
Sinners, we honor your sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for your pity we plead;
Grand us the shield of your sovereign protection,
Measure your aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which your footsteps have trod;
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying,
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
