Training in a system that's deeeply flawed does't correct the problems inherent to the sysem.

The costs, like Ed T said above & I fully agree with, could've been kept lower & the distaste in the mouth could've been kept frrom such bitterness was caused by the refusal by the church to investage themselves & to aid athorities in their legal search for those documents that showed how the system shuffled around child predators. They actually fought to protect themselves, their system, their predators, their assets behind a sacred vail all at an additional cost to their victims. May they rot in hell!

Here in the Boston area wher ethe scandle 1st hit & was hit hardest the chruches closed & were/are sold off like a rummage sell. It was always a matter of what's best for the church, even the sale of the churches, never for the parishes that they let down or those that they betrayed. The donations dried up, they were/are faced with their own demons & they are not doing a good job at finding a way out. Partly IMHO because they keep looking to save themselves, they care more for their own future than those that followed them into the messs they're in.

Self-rightious & sanctimonious, they are still seeking to guide their flock with wolves in shepard's clothing. The old ways are gone the church has to find a new way in this new world.
I just yesterday came from my daughter's confirmation, presided by non other than Cardnial O'Mally. He's still talking about yesteryear when their were no divorces, no single parent households, no child victims & how folks had faith, how a woman's job was to marry & raise kids, how it's everyone job to follow the faith! EXCUSE ME!!!!!
What rubbish in todays world.

It's no wonder the chruch is in such dire straits with leaders that can't get out of their own way. Sure they do a buch of good but so do corporations like Wal-Mart & Exron when called to task. Doesn't give them the holy right to exist unchallenged. They need to test themselves, take chances, they need to listen to their flock & not the baying of old men that long for the good old days when they could run their sheep over hill & dale, fatten them, fleece them, spin their wool & eat them. They need to meet the expections of their followers, it's them that are important. THE CHURCH IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. All you folkies should know that, "it's the song not the singer".

I don't care one way or the other if the catholic church, or any church for that matter survives. I can go on living as I see fit. I don't do harm to any, I help when I'm able & I follow my heart when my heart tells me ntoo. I'm not confused by a good deed & a wrong. I don't need a religon to do that & I don't need a church to guide me. I know what's right & what's wrong. I do question the church in that matter though. Hopefully they will resolve their many issues to the satisfaction of all, if not then their are always other s ready, willing & able to guide the faithfull.

They ought to show the faithfull how they can find faith within themselves without the need for an external source for standing on their own 2 feet.
I guess that's a bit counter productive though, isn't it. Wouldn't really pay off in the long run.

Barry