Well, since he has that direct god connection and all, he must have...
The detention of an 83-year-old priest in Brazil for allegedly abusing boys as young as 12 has added to the scandals hitting the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America, even as Chile's bishops asked pardon Tuesday for past cases.The allegations against Monsignor Luiz Marques Barbosa -- and two other Brazilian priests -- have made headlines throughout the world's most populous Catholic nation and come amid accusations of sexual abuse by priests around the world.
More like this
One of my best friends, who shall remain nameless for the present, a scientist, an atheist, a heavily decorated soldier in the war on Christmas, raised two wonderful, brilliant children, on of which being a devote catholic now in training to be a very devote catholic.
It seems I can't get away from this amusing little story.
Paul Shanley, the defrocked Boston priest convicted of raping and molesting a 6 year old boy in his parish, has been sentenced to 12-15 years in prison. At 74, it is likely a death sentence for all practical purposes. But here's what bothers me about the whole priest sex scandal issue.
Lose all faith in Catholicism, please. If you haven't already, this story should help you on your way.
From the linked article:
That's very reassuring. Justice will be served.
/sarc
I'm surprised allegations are coming out of Latin America. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if the scandals were as wide-spread (or more) than in the US and Europe, but the Catholic Church generally has much more control over all facets of life in Latin countries.
It's just more persecution by those gay atheists! It's so unfair - they're being treated like Jews!
I think we are still only seeing the tip of the abuse (very large iceberg. As word is getting around the world, and others are seeing the priests prosecuted and bishops excoriated for complicity, others will be more comfortable sharing their own stories. Too many have been shamed into silence, convinced it was their 'sin' to carry.