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"Many psychologists and psychiatrists have demonstrated that there is no relation between celibacy and pedophilia. But many others have demonstrated, I have been told recently, that there is a relation between homosexuality and pedophilia. That is true. That is the problem."
~ Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
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When I read this statement by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state, I was beyond outraged. His statement, that the sex scandals haunting the Roman Catholic Church are linked to homosexuality and not celibacy among priests, is nothing more than the latest perverse strategy by the Vatican to shirk its ethical and legal responsibility.
I am exploring employment within my church - an administrative staff position. The single issue I've spent the most time considering is my responsibility to the church. Becoming a staff member of any religious organization requires constant vigilance - not just within the work place, but in every aspect of one's life. There is an expectation from the church body that those on staff are held to a higher standard. The church body looks to all staff members - not just pastors - for leadership and accountability.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's second-highest authority, has a great deal of responsibility and power. Millions of people look to him for guidance. When Cardinal Bertone says that homosexuality, not celibacy, is the cause of pedophilia issues throughout the Roman Catholic church, he is abusing that responsibility and power.
For the record, there is not a single, reputable study that links homosexuality and pedophilia. THAT is true.
I am exploring employment within my church - an administrative staff position. The single issue I've spent the most time considering is my responsibility to the church. Becoming a staff member of any religious organization requires constant vigilance - not just within the work place, but in every aspect of one's life. There is an expectation from the church body that those on staff are held to a higher standard. The church body looks to all staff members - not just pastors - for leadership and accountability.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's second-highest authority, has a great deal of responsibility and power. Millions of people look to him for guidance. When Cardinal Bertone says that homosexuality, not celibacy, is the cause of pedophilia issues throughout the Roman Catholic church, he is abusing that responsibility and power.
For the record, there is not a single, reputable study that links homosexuality and pedophilia. THAT is true.
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23 comments:
I read this recently too. J and I were having lunch and reading two different papers but fell upon this article at the same time. It's absolutely ridiculous. The worst thing is that a lot of die hard catholics (my grandmother for one!) will take every single word that comes out of the Vatican as gospel, so rest assured no matter how many people contradict this, it won't make the slight bit of difference.
It's ridiculous!! I'm Catholic and me makes me ashamed to be sometimes.
wow, just f'n wow
Especially disturbing are the priests who have sex with young girls. Those are the worst kind of homosexuals. They're not even loyal to their own team.
I have a Motivational poster for that picture.
The Catholic Church - Trying to pull the wool over our eyes for almost 2000 years.
NewBo, your concerns about followers like you Grandma are EXACTLY why this statement was so offensive.
furiousBall, well, if the Vatican admitted celibacy might be the problem they'd have to change their policy. Better to blame it on those darn homosexuals!
Grant, ironic, isn't it? That his statement was made when addressing accusations that a priest was having sex with young girls. Not sure how that ties into homosexuality, but it must because Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said so!
Doc, which is why I've encouraged more than one person to question religious leadership!
Wow, that really pissed me off reading that!! But here is what I thought. If there are all these priests being pedaphiles in the Catholic church, wouldn't what he is saying mean they are allowing gays to be priests? So doesn't that just push more wrong on them (according to their way of thinking). So now they have blame on two matters.
When you move priests because of problems instead of dealing with the problems, you allow the problems to grow.
The most common symptom observed among pedophile priests, is an underlying emotional and psychological immaturity. These are men who because of their immaturity, are incapable of normal sexual relations with another adult, male or female. It has absolutely nothing to do with their sexual orientation. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone's statement was not only irresponsible, it was simply a reflection of his and the church's homophobia.
Melissa XX
Dragon, well, it would probably look better that they had "accidentally" hired a homosexual than it would admitting that celibacy - a policy hundreds of years old - is part of the problem.
Bond, that goes right back to the abuse of power!
Melissa, I would think emotional and psychological immaturity would be a commonality amongst all pedophiles. And I couldn't agree with you more - the church (not just Roman Catholic) remains homophobic.
It's just another made up excuse for perverted priests! You are right to be outraged.
I totally agree with you Dana!
If your going to walk the walk of celibacy (silly isn't it) and fail, don't blame it on homosexuality.
How the almighty prey on the innocent.. hiding behind the closely shut door of heaven.. I think they should be locked up for a very long time... and throw away the key!
Indi
It's just another way to deceive and control the masses. The p[riest is the shepard and the faithful...the sheep.
I have lost my saints and faith.
I was at a "friend's" blog and he made reference to lesbians and gay men...in a negitive way and wondered why I was pissed off.
Later sweets.
That's exactly why I love Grant...that comment up there!
Great post! Looks like the Catholic priests could take a lesson from you on what's expected.
Outraged right along with you!
Gay, hetro, or anything else, the Church has a serious problem here which needs to be addressed. I dont give a flying fuck whose fault it is, or why they do it. I just want them to stop, and for those who have the power to cause it to stop, to get up off their be-robed behinds and act.
The fact is children are being molested. It does not matter whether it is a boy child or a girl child, or a male or female offender.
The Church is dying, so much so that many are now welcoming gays. It looks an awful lot to me like they welcome peadophiles too, since nothing is done to stop them or throw offenders out.
The Church needs to start acting, instead of trying to deflect the blame. FFS, even prisoners cannot stand peadophiles. When the lowest people in society can outcast a peadophile, why cant the church?
Are the Pope and his cronies happy to be considered lesser members of society than convicted criminals? Sure looks like it, huh?
What an @$$!
I stopped going to church after learning that the priest was having an affair(?) with a woman our family knew. He was eventually transferred.
If priests could marry, the church would probably be a MUCH safer (and less hypocritical) place.
I am just speechless reading that quote. Just so much garbage. Thankfully (I hope) most people with even a smattering of a brain will recognise it as such.
Nothing like facing up to the truth.like the church will do that.
I think it's time to spread the word that Pedophilla is mostly caused by pedophilla. And this is a very sad fact. Or maybe we can blame the Devil. Now that's the ticket!
I so agree with you. If they (the church) would quit sweeping it under the rug, maybe they'd have a better chance of making it stop! Hiding your head in the sand and acting like there is nothing wrong with the priests is just WRONG.
I so agree with you. If they (the church) would quit sweeping it under the rug, maybe they'd have a better chance of making it stop! Hiding your head in the sand and acting like there is nothing wrong with the priests is just WRONG.
I must wholeheartedly agree too.
It astounds me the number of instances and just what the hell is wrong with them? If they join the church they think it will just magically go away and they'll be normal?
Get real.
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