The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #128710   Message #2887535
Posted By: Joe Offer
15-Apr-10 - 07:05 PM
Thread Name: BS: Catholic come all-ye
Subject: RE: BS: Catholic come all-ye
OK, Smokey-
Let's talk your percentages. Yes, if five percent of priests were molesters, that would be a big risk for children. In most cases in recent years, the molester-priests have been removed from ministry as soon as there is an accusation; and they are not returned to ministry if the accusation is found to be credible. They are not allowed to serve a complete career. That means that the number of active priests who are child molesters, is far smaller. That number is skewed by the fact that priests leave the priesthood for a number of other reasons, but the current practice is to remove child molester priests from active ministry immediately upon receipt of an accusation.

Same goes for any crime. When people are convicted of crimes, they are put in jail and removed from society, thereby eliminating the risk until they are returned to society (with the often-unfounded hope that they have learned their lesson and will not commit the crime again).

-Joe-