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Marie, The Catholic Church is morally bankrupt.

Important though it is for abuse survivors to be listened to and heard, the church does not revolve around them. The pope has recognised that the two bishops concerned probably had very limited responsibility for what happened and their skills are needed for the wider good of the dublin archdiocese. His actions also put an end to the silly notion that resignation is the only appropriate response to mistakes or poor judgement.

It certainly seems that the purpose of a church hierarchy is to protect those in the hierarchy.

It is just like playing a game of chess for the Vatican. The truth, however, is that in real life the pawns are real people who have been raped and abused by clerics. The Vatican can tinker all it wants with Canon Law, but this helps victims not one iota. The Pope by refusing to accept these resignations is proof enough for me that the Church's commitment to rooting out paedophile clerics is half-hearted.

Marie
By this action the Vatican and B16 have rendered themselves irrelevant. No need to leave, just ignore them for they know not what they do.

P.S. Remember Lord Acton in your prayers

So precisely what is it that keeps people in this organisation? Why *don't* people leave the RC sect? It's not as if there aren't hundreds of other churches all over the place that they could go to. They're all much of a muchness, equidistant from any god that might exist.

The Roman Catholic Church has been and always be a dictitoral church. A lot of people think that if they abandon the mother church then they are doomed. Even so called "Lapsed Catholics" when the feel that they are dying ask for absolution from a priest.

The Church will endure as is it did during the Roman persecutions, the Reformation, the French Revolution, during communism, during the sexual revolution and so on. Many jump off the boat telling those on board, that the ship is certainly sinking..but the barque of Peter sails on...Those who have been abused certainly have a right to feel betrayed... but was it out of obedience to the Pope and their own vows of celibacy that the abusers acted, or was it out of disobedience. The Church of Rome will try to be solicitous toward those who have been wronged, but mark this.... She is under no obligation to accommodate criticism of victim, governments, or pundits. The Pope may try to conciliate with victims but he does not have to ask their permission vis a vis bishops... It is sad when people leave the Church, more understandable still for abuse victims. But recall well the words of Peter "To whom shall we go You have the words of everlasting Life" and further Jesus saying to the apostles "he who hears you hears Me." Those who think that leaving the church is a sound option or that they may punish the Church by abandoning her, they have never understood what the Church really is. Again I can see abuse victims taking time away from the Church... but if you have any idea about what she is, you would not leave her.

Doc Meadows,

I think you have just articulated the problems most see with the catholic church - arrogance. The problem with the the church is not just the abuse it is the cover up and the reaction to it which has stained the entire edifice.

The difference with this crisis and the others you mentioned is that this is internally generated and could break the church up from within.

Dave: you've hit the nail on the head - the Catholic church will be the downfall of the Catholic church .....

The Roman Catholic Church will continue to hide its sins as it always has, sad but true. The Pope is a human being and his purpose is to ensure the Church survives. Sadly, it will. The Pope is under an obligation to ensure it remains. What happens to his underlings is of no concern to him. Sadly, I think he actualy believes he is our Lords ambassador and as a result can do as he chooses. Regarding those how are and were betrayed, it is equally sad that his defenders have only empty words to say. The RC church have nothing to offer. The place and person to seek is our Lord alone. 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' Mat 11 v 28. Seek our Lord not the church.

Let’s stop calling it a church and call it what it is, a business. So some of the employees broke the law and got caught, and then their managers tried to cover it up and got caught. Now the CEO is trying to make it all go away and this, to some degree is working. Many customers are leaving but many with brand loyalty will stay out of self interest. Bad news to all, the brand is a fake as Jesus only came to serve his people, the tribe of Israel. I hope I live to see this employer go bust!

These Women just dont get it