I think I've read enough of them to do a stand-in. Runner, if I get it wrong, feel free to correct me.

"You earth worshipping secularists have no right to criticise the church, it is because the secular dogma has led man astray that such horrible things happen. Secularists are trying to get more children exposed to porn and it's because of this that these rapes happen."

Did I miss anything? Of course, that doesn't at all delve into the depths of moral ambiguity or how to deal with such horrific events after they happen, but hey, that's dogmatic religion for you. At least it's got the whole 'sanctimony' thing downpat.

Ah TRTL, you clearly have the potential talent to be a
preacher :) You could sock it to them and take their
money, just like the other religions do. Once those
true believers are hooked, they are there for the fleecing.

Religion today is a great business to be in. A bit
of fast talking works wonders, push their emotional
buttons and they are there for the taking.

All very sad really, that the future of our planet
depends to some extent on those kinds of people.

Foxy,
I think most, if not all, Catholics will agree with you and question the wisdom - I am tempted to say sanity - of Cardoso Sobrinho, the archbishop of Olinda and Recife. You do not have to be a moral theologian to see that even if abortion is classified as killing it was a situation as in case of war when the ordinary soldier has to decide on spot whether or whom to kill (even the enemy soldier is innocent of starting the war) to save some other life/lives. He has to rely on his conscience and available information to make that decision. Like the doctors in this case.

Perhaps the Archbishop should/could not have condoned that decision by publicly acknowledging that this was an exceptional situation (although in my opinion this would have been preferable) but you are absolutely right, he should have at least remained silent.

We shall have to wait to see how the Church will disentangle itself from a situation this hapless local representative got her into. Otherwise one would have to agree with the Brasilan Health Minister that not the Archbishop but “the position of the Church is extreme, radical and inadequate".

The Catholic Church is doing itself no favours by publicly being deeply hypocritical. And deeply callous.

As Belly pointed out: Catholic priests who have abused children are not ex-communicated although Jesus Christ had something to say about those harming children, but silent on terminating pregnancies.

To me the utterances of a Bishop or the Pope of the Catholic Church has more import than the waffling of a cleric to a small congregration. This requires much more outrage in the media, then whatever that mufti said in Sydney a few years ago.

This issue is disgusting. Wonder if the raping step dad has gone to confession and is now lovingly back in the arms of his congregation straight on his way to heaven after receiving absolution, while people who are left with dealing with the consequences of this hideous man are thrown out of their community and out in the cold. Deeply, deeply offensive behaviour, regardless of your stance on abortion in general.

PS: Are the Victorians being punished some more now with an earth quake?

Belly

You ask an excellent question - somehow I doubt the Catholic Church will ever provide you with a reasonable answer.

How far has catholicism and christianity veered from any relationship with the teachings of Jesus?

How big is the universe?

You all probably know by now that I was
raised as a Catholic, as was my husband (Christian
Brothers). But by golly, I'm so ashamed at some
of the stands that members of my Church have taken
over the years. From sexual abuse, to gay rights -
their inhumanity at times is beyond comprehension.
And now this - in Brazil, which I simply can't
fathom or excuse.

What on earth is Rome going to do about this?
Where does the Church hierarchy stand on this?
If they can find the time to get involved with
that wonderful priest - Father Kennedy in Brisbane,
why can't they speak out on behalf of this little
girl in Brazil?

Shame on them!