What is the point of praying to a God, who never answers. Wake up people and get in the real world where there is no such thing as a God, Fairy or Father Christmas, all man made writings at some point in time, perhaps we should all don white robes or purple ones with funny hats which then places us well and truly above the law, especially where vunerable young boys and adolescents are easy prey to the lecherous priests in the Catholic Church, but then let us pray and all will be forgiven.

That's an interesting defence, runner.

>>Does the scouts get sued when their master abuse kids or the State Government when their teachers fiddle with kids or the Tennis association get sued when one of the coaches? What about pianno players and scientist?<<

As I understand it, you are comparing the Catholic Church with i) the Scout movement, ii) the State Government, iii) the Tennis Association, iv) piano players (eh?) and v) scientists (what?), and suggesting that each of these bodies should bear responsibility for the actions of their members.

Do any of these groupings, apart from the Catholic Church, claim to have God's authority when dealing with their clientele? Or are you suggesting that Barry O'Farrell holds the same role in teacher management practices as the Pope has over his priesthood?

Clearly, you haven't done a great deal of research into the manner in which those errant priests convince their young charges to do their bidding. They invariably invoke God as their permission, sometimes even the instigation, for their deeds. Do you imagine that a tennis coach would invoke the image of the President of the Association as justification for their actions?

Get real.

"Unfortunatley with the porn industry making millions child abuse will continue to sky rocket" - runner it seems to me that most of the clergy from times past who have abused children had very little access to porn. More likely they've been filling their non-abusing time with reading the bible and praying. Should we be blaming bible reading and prayer for their choices?

If the catholic church does not exist then perhaps the income from all those properties held in trust should be diverted to ensuring that victims of abuse are adequately compensated. Should be some checks to ensure that market rates are being paid for the use of those assets as well.

Abuse of children within the Catholic church was not a one off, undetected incident, it's been a worldwide horror story routinely covered up and pushed under the carpet by it's senior leaders of the day.

As for scout's, governments etc being held responsible. If there is evidence that the organisations involved had failed in their duty along the way then they do become liable.

R0bert

Jesus must be spinning in his grave at the brazen hypocrisy…

And rather than having been thrown out – the money changers are now obviously running the 'temple'.

It will be interesting to see if the princes of the church, both in Australia and around the world react to the Pope's calls yesterday for profound renewal in the Roman Catholic Church by starting a reformation of the patently corrupt structures of their corporation – but since the same cohort are responsible for the current situation, it does make you wonder which and what type of Godfather is really in charge?

At least it'll be easier to judge our own legislators by their actions in redressing the legal and political situation that has permitted such a travesty.

So this is an example, runner, of Christian moral absolutism?

You silly billy, WmTrevor.

>>Jesus must be spinning in his grave...<<

He doesn't have one, remember? They rolled away the stone and there he was - gone.

It works as metaphor, though. I'm pretty sure he'd be appalled at almost everything that has been undertaken in his name by the many churches that claim his sponsorship. I don't recall that he ever advocated the extortion of money from poor congregations, for example, by a gilded-robed officer-class who lived in palaces. Nor indeed one single incident of kneecapping.

But hey, what do I know.

One encouraging feature of this topic is the absence of good Chriatians (Catholic,mainly) rushing to support the ellis excuse/defence.
There is hope for the world as yet

socratease