Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(61,593 posts)
Fri Dec 21, 2018, 10:08 AM Dec 2018

'Hand yourself over to human justice': Pope Francis tells priests guilty of abuse that the church wo

Source: Washington Post

‘Hand yourself over to human justice’: Pope Francis tells priests guilty of abuse that the church won’t shield them

By Julie Zauzmer December 21 at 8:50 AM

Pope Francis used one of his major annual Christmas speeches to offer some of his strongest words yet on the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic church, telling guilty priests that the church won’t protect them and they should turn themselves in.

“To those who abuse minors I would say this: convert and hand yourself over to human justice, and prepare for divine justice,” Francis said in a speech at the Vatican on Friday.

He promised major steps to prevent abuse would emerge from a February summit of bishops -- a renewed commitment for a pope who has been criticized as weak in his response to abuse.

Speaking to the Roman Curia -- the central governing leadership of the Vatican -- Francis described at length the sinfulness of priests who prey on children. “Often behind their boundless amiability, impeccable activity and angelic faces, they shamelessly conceal a vicious wolf ready to devour innocent souls,” he said, in remarks that drew often on the example of the sinful Biblical King David. “Let it be clear that before these abominations the Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes. The Church will never seek to hush up or not take seriously any case.”

-snip-


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2018/12/21/hand-yourself-over-human-justice-pope-francis-tells-priests-guilty-abuse-that-church-wont-shield-them/
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
'Hand yourself over to human justice': Pope Francis tells priests guilty of abuse that the church wo (Original Post) Eugene Dec 2018 OP
#metoo #sexualabuse riversedge Dec 2018 #1
Here's a better idea Bergoglio, how's about Voltaire2 Dec 2018 #2
And how would he do that ... why cant the police just go arrest then Fullduplexxx Dec 2018 #3
Well he could turn over all the records they have Voltaire2 Dec 2018 #4
The ones he hides in the Vatican out of reach... uriel1972 Dec 2018 #5
"Criminals, please go turn yourselves in." trotsky Dec 2018 #7
Or at the very least take them off the payroll and hand over the evidence Major Nikon Dec 2018 #9
Pilate washing his hands. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2018 #6
The Church has ALWAYS sought to hide its own sins. MineralMan Dec 2018 #8

Voltaire2

(12,626 posts)
2. Here's a better idea Bergoglio, how's about
Fri Dec 21, 2018, 10:26 AM
Dec 2018

your criminal cartel hand over all your pedophile priests to hunan justice.

Voltaire2

(12,626 posts)
4. Well he could turn over all the records they have
Fri Dec 21, 2018, 11:36 AM
Dec 2018

on the people they have covered up for over the decades to the relevant local authorities.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
7. "Criminals, please go turn yourselves in."
Fri Dec 21, 2018, 01:49 PM
Dec 2018

Shouldn't they have been doing that in the first place?

Doesn't the fact that they HAVEN'T been doing that kind of mean that this is a worthless request?

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
8. The Church has ALWAYS sought to hide its own sins.
Fri Dec 21, 2018, 08:48 PM
Dec 2018

Like most hierarchical organizations, I expect it to continue to do so, while condemning such behavior. That is the very hypocrisy Jesus was supposed to have decried. There is little left of Jesus in the Roman Catholic Church.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»'Hand yourself over to hu...