if i'm wrong in my observations Jim
Can't see why you have to apologise Al - that's exactly the way it seems to me
Joe
I really can't see why you feel this is "too broad a brush"
What is unique about these abuses is the power used to carry them out - I can't think of another group of people who could tell the children that what was happening to them was "God's will" as Brendan Smythe did to hes 100 or so victims, or the access to childrens' minds enjoyed by the clerics.
The arrogance of the church hierarchy and the continuing refusal to co-operate fully has done and will continue to do enormous damage
It is true that such abuses happen in all walks of life, but the obvious immunity felt by the church shown in the way they behaved and are still behaving separates it from all other forms
I didn't start this thread; had I done so I might have chosen a different title - 'The Religious Abuse of Children' maybe - that's what it is.
Other religious and non religious bodies are involved - the Church of Ireland still need to examine their own consciences as to what happened in the Six Counties - care and medical homes are now coming under scrutiny
This really is a multi-faceted affair
The victims need to be satisfied that their case has been heard fully - it still hasn't - blanket solutions and deals never do that
I've met a few who still won't speak up about what happened to them - the self-hatred, guilt and shame is palpable.
The revelations have called into question the position of the church in society - whether a group with such a powerful influence should ever be entrusted to care of the vulnerable again being the foremost
It is misleading to say that these reports first emerged in 2010 - similar reports in the form of innuendos and hints have been circulating throughout my life - dodgy priests, scoutmasters, teachers..... all grist to the child's oral culture
"Bad apples", "recent events" miss the point by miles
I would have thought that handling this in a correct and open manner is a matter of self-interest for the church
I am saddened to see the effect it has had on lifelong devotees who are still trying to cope with the damage it has done to their own faith.
Rap
This affair has opened up a massive can of worms which goes far beyond that actual abuses
I really do believe that 'you ain't seen nuffin' yet'
Jim Carroll