"Punishment within the church of sexual abusers."
We are talking about the sexual abuse of children - child rape - a serious crime, punishable by, at least and, in Britain anyway, and an entry into the sexual offenders register.
Would anybody here suggest that a paedophile teacher should be punished by a stiff talking to by the headmaster, are are the clergy above national laws?
I've yet to read a case of a judge sending a serious criminal back to his family or community and allowing them to deal with it.
The behaviour of the hierarchy makes them accomplices in serious crimes, from obstruction of justice to placing criminals of the worst type in positions where they can continue their 'little weaknesses'.
In these circumstances, in any other environment they too would be facing serious criminal charges.
Why should the church be allowed to investigate, try and punish(!!!) child rapists or be immune from prosecution for assisting them?
Jim Carroll