You said that priests are forbidden to marry in contrast with scripture. Scripture doesn’t specifically contrast with that. Indeed after about 1000 years of married priests failing to uphold their scriptural obligation to be a “eunuch for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” the view must have been taken that Jesus' personal approach was the way to go and the current disciplinary measure was introduced. Even then exceptions are allowed when they are considered appropriate.

Sure the system seemed to get off to a good start. Origen writing in or about 245 (during the time of Roman persecution) in “Against Celsus” which responded to attacks on Christianity by pagan Celsus:

“…as soon as they have accepted the teachings of Jesus and have entrusted themselves to God, that many of them in the manner of perfect priests who abhor all sexual relations, remain completely pure, not only with regard to sex. Among the Athenians there is very likely some [pagan] priest who is not considered capable of subduing his masculine drives and controlling them to the extent he wishes. Therefore, according to the views on chastity prevailing among the Athenians, he is regarded as pure only when his sexual parts have been coated with hemlock juice. Among the Christians, however, men can be found who do not need hemlock juice in order to serve the Divinity in purity. For them, instead of hemlock, the Word of God is sufficient ...”

But as early as 306AD we know that Canon 33 from the Council of Elvira stated:

“We have decreed a general prohibition for married bishops, priests, and deacons or also for all clerics who have been appointed to ministry: they must not come together with their wives and they must not beget children. Whosoever shall do the same shall be expelled from the ranks of clergy.”

The married clerics obviously weren’t being eunuchs or there would be no need to introduce the rule. By the way is there any other exception to the scriptural call to “be fruitful and multiply” in marriage? You know like a pro-contraception scripture?

CONT.

I’ll get back to Runner.

Shadow Minister,

“The proof of the pudding is that while it happens in other denominations it is comparitively rare.”

If that is the proof of the pudding I am not so sure it supports your argument. The Anglican Church has had major problems you should have read the reports. Further:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070821182633/http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070618/28035_Released_Figures_Offer_Glimpse_into_Protestant_Sex_Abuse_Problems.htm

“I imagine a paedophile with a predeliction for boys could not find a calling with more opportunity and cover.”

Wow what a perfect cover. Yes I can just imagine a paedophile thinking “I’ll become a Catholic priest noone will ever suspect that I could be a paedophile”. Watch out for the low flying pigs! Why I couldn't resist sarcasm is anyone’s guess.

“The Church has a small window to implement internal change before society does it for them.”

Can you please advise what change can be made? Entrants are screened, training is changed, handling is changed, and systems are put in place to assist victims. What else would you suggest?

Foxy,

I meant this Collins comment:

"Nowadays, however, ecclesiastical superiors are proactive and move with alacrity when accusations are made. Some priests now feel authorities have moved too far toward the other end of the spectrum... the rights of accused priests are often 'overlooked or ignored', ...often not been given legal advice or experienced support persons. They were frequently cajoled into making admissions and agreeing to resign... Priests are assumed to be guilty, their rights to fairness and a presumption of innocence ignored, and they are dismissed from ministry by bishops or superiors without any legal process, often before they have been afforded the opportunity to defend themselves. Accused priests have been kept in the dark by bishops witholding accusations or aspects of accusations. There is confusion between what are actually 'boundary violations', that is consensual adult sexual encounters, and the sexual abuse of children, which falls under the jurisdictions of criminal and canon law...A similar situation has emerged in the UK where a church lawyer who defends accused priests said that 'bishops cannot be trusted to help priests accused of child abuse'"

mjpb,

You make some interesting remarks.

Your biblical citations do not sit well with the traditional understanding of virgin birth. Also, Jesus would have been as far removed from the House of David than we are from the Battle of Hastings. Prseumably, there would have been thousands of descendants of David.

On Larry King a few years back a Catholic church historian being interviewed said that one reason that priests could not marry was to prevent the formation of internal dynasties having centralised power.

Burton Mack notes notes, some other earlier Middle Eastern cults also practised abstinance and, in addition, had prohibitions against castration.

There are of course good pragmatic reasons why Catholic priests
are banned from marrying. Feeding all those wives and children
would cost the Church serious money!

A priest might well have inherited some money or saved a few bob
during his lifetime. He might well leave it to the church, legacies
are after all a serious income for the Vatican. Not so, if there
are a bunch of wives and kids, all wanting their share.

rude but right huh
hoiman

MJPB,

In your link, initially the numbers seem the same, but when you look closer, the protestant cases are for all reported cases of preachers, lay workers and volunteers.

The catholic cases are for priests only, and only "credible" cases.

This would imply that the cases for catholic priests vs protestant priests is still much much larger.

Your sarcasm indicates that even in your mind catholic priests are synonomous with paedophilia.

What more can they do? What you mention is the very least they can get away with.

The minimum should also include external auditing, to expose cases without having to wait decades, immediate criminal prosecution of those involved, and dismissal of anyone involved in a cover up.

Major reform would mean abolishing the requirement for unmarried priests.