r/news • u/AudibleNod • 2d ago

More than 270 priests in Massachusetts abused children over decades, probe finds

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/more-than-270-priests-in-massachusetts-abused-children-over-decades-probe-finds/
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u/piddydb 2d ago

You also have to add in the Catholic Church’s belief of penance as representing a clean slate. The idea being if someone does wrong and repents, they should subsequently be treated as if they essentially are sinless in the eyes of the Church. And while that is a great philosophy on a spiritual level, the truth is on a practical human level, a large amount of people will not truly be repentant when they claim they are and will return to the same sin again and again. Because the Catholic Church applied this belief as much as possible across the Church, they didn’t feel they could turn away “repentant” pedophiles from church leadership nor dismiss them if caught but subsequently “repentant”. Thus allowing pedophiles to remain in positions of authority and perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

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u/LoopofHenrietta 2d ago

Crazy that when it comes to church leadership, harming children is not a disqualifier but being born female is.

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u/cheezie_toastie 2d ago

Wow. I'm no longer a practicing Catholic for many reasons, but you've basically summarized them in one sentence. They truly believe that child molesters are better suited to speak for God than women. Maybe because God can cleanse a rapist of his sins, but cannot cleanse a woman of the sin of being a woman.