The acts themselves are among the nastiest examples of abuse.

Physical abuse, mental abuse, abuse of trust, abuse of a position of trust.

But equally distressing is the handling of these cases , and the apparent inability of secular law to prosecute any of the religion's hierarchy, for obstructing the course of justice.

We seem to accept that these people can behave more badly than the rest of us, and get away with it.

Shouldn't they be held to higher standards, rather than lower?

I bet Roman Polanski wishes he had become a priest.

If the authorities were serious about cleaning this pedophile mess up, it would bring down the whole church and half our politicians world wide. And that will never happen! They all stick up for one another and make the rules to protect themselves as they go.

Apologies for the cross-posting, but this seems relevant here too:

<< Fresh allegations made against Pope

Pope Benedict is facing new allegations about his handling of cases of child abuse by paedophile priests.

The Associated Press news agency says it has obtained a letter signed by the future Pope in 1985, when he was a senior Vatican official, in which he resisted appeals for the dismissal of an American priest who had sexually abused two boys at a school in California. >>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/10/2869180.htm

I am sure many have noticed the extremism some show in defending this church its leader and belief in God its self.
Look first at the victims.
Then those who did it.
Look at the reason Church's exist.
This dreadful crime, a million crimes over centuries must end.
I am afraid if that old road block to real change real improvement defense,, is not pulled apart the Catholic church will be.

It's interesting that Roman Polanski has been brought into this debate.
Many in Hollywood have defended Polanski's actions.
What makes them different from those who covered up the actions of 4% of priests?
Is anybody in the church publicy defending the actions of abusive priests?
It's comforting for those on a mission to single out the Catholic Church but this phenomen transcends any single institution.
Deviant sexuality is the problem.

CJMorgan,

Please refer my earlier post/link on Benedict (page 14).

Given Benedict is a temporal leader as well as a religious leader, should governments respond diplomatically? I think it is fair to say that most Australians would want a Australia to send a diplomatic rebuke to a president or prime minister of any other temporal leader under these circumstances, if the allegations are confirmed. We recently opened a full embassy in the Vatican (Tim Fisher appointed). Should we reverse the Emabassy decision, if the Vatican State is giving comfort to heinous criminals? Should people who cover-up for child molesters be welcomed as State guests in Australia