No need to wonder why the mass of Mudcat posts on this subject are destructive Joe, they see this issue in the same light as they see every other issue.....as political.
Catholic Church= Conservative= bad!
Its the old knee jerk that we see on other threads, where no one can see the wood for the political trees.

The issues are simple, the Church adheres to a rule which makes the abuse of children many times more likely....the celibacy rule....get rid of that, and abuse will dwindle to the rates we see in the real world....still much too high of course!

The Church is badly at fault for the cover up and no amount shedding of crocodile tears or sickening apologies is going to redeem it, but a change in the rule which has been the main cause of the abuse, should make it clear that the Church accepts responsibility.....for the cover up and for the disasterous effects of the rule of celibacy.

This would be something positive and achievable..... without tearing the church apart, which is the real agenda of many on this forum.

You once described my thinking as "warped" I let the remark go on that occasion, but perhaps you should review my position this and other associated subjects like "liberalism" and homosexuality.