If you think you need to appeal to a fictional character in order to show that child abuse is wrong and the Catholic Church's approach to it is evil, then you have some very serious problems.

As explained by Jesus, the problem is primarily of a spiritual nature: a man who dedicated his life to God, what need does he have for boys or girls or men or women? With God besides him, taking all his focus, why should he need another?

This is therefore an indication for a deep spiritual crisis and while the suffering of the affected children is only temporal, the suffering of the offending priest is deeper and can even be eternal. When Jesus suggests cutting off his limbs, it is not in order to punish the offender but in order to help him to recover!

How could serving time in a secular jail (at our tax-payer's expense), among the most unspiritual criminals and jailers who have no understanding of God, possibly help the offending priests to recover? How possibly could it strengthen their faith?

The Melbourne response is correct: what the offending priest needs is spiritual counseling and support, which can only be provided within the church itself. Such support may occasionally include the chopping of limbs, which from history we know the church was not shy off. That this technique is not currently in practice is not the church's fault, but that of the secular state prohibiting this good practice through its uneducated secular laws.

'(Mat 18:6) But whoever shall offend one of these little ones who believes in Me, it would be better for him that an ass's millstone were hung around his neck, and he be sunk in the depth of the sea. '

Thank you Yuyutsu for showing so clearly why the Catholic church has been indifferent to the victims of child abuse. I don't give a rats about the spiritual suffering of abusing clergy - they just need to be exposed, punished through the secular criminal system, and prevented from doing more harm, as should all those who have been accessories to their crimes and who have enabled them to continue their abuse. Its about time the decent people in church are rid of the filth.

An excellent article, one that exposes the hypocrisy of Churches which has been going on for centuries.

There is no punishment that is bad enough for the defilers of children, none. Even burning in hell for a thousand years is still too good.

If we got rid of religion, then many of the molesters would be gone. If we upped the penalties for those who are caught defiling and include compulsory castration, that would also help.

How we protect our children is a sign of the health of our society. Currently, it is sick!

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Dear Yuyutsu,

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If the problem were primarily of a spiritual nature, it would seem appropriate to tear out the soul.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to explain how one should go about doing that and, also, what proof we could show that we have actually done it.

Obviously, tearing out hands and eyes does not seem appropriate to child sex abuse. In fact, you are right in thinking that none of the limbs of the reverend clergy may be considered as the principal source of sexual activity.

A few other areas of the male anatomy come to mind but it would probably be wise to consult competent professional sexologists before we start tearing out this or that male organ in case we get it wrong.

It might be more appropriate to eliminate certain areas of the brain which command and respond to sexual stymuli.

Quite honestly, these are questions which really need to be submitted to expert opinion. Unless, of course, Jesus has already addressed this particular aspect of the problem and I am unaware of it.

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