While the writer of this article sees only more confusion for the Catholic Church from the letter by Benedict, there is enough truth and wisdom here that, if not dealt with by the Vatican, will make the church's response to the child sex crisis woefully inadequate.
By Nicholas Sakelaris
Pope Benedict XVI, shown here in 2013 wrote a letter addressing the sex abuse scandal within the Catholic church. File Photo UPI/Stefano Spanziani | License Photo
(UPI) -- The former Pope Benedict XVI ended years of silence to address the abuse scandal in the Catholic church, blaming it on the sexual revolution of the 1960s that he said made pedophilia "allowed and appropriate."
The former pope wrote a scathing 6,000-word letter to address what he believes caused the decades-long scandal, from changing societal norms to theological changes.
"Why did pedophilia reach such proportions?" Benedict wrote, according to an English translation posted by Catholic News Agency. "Ultimately, the reason is the absence of God. It could be said that in the 20 years from 1960 to 1980, the previously normative standards regarding sexuality collapsed entirely, and a new normalcy arose. Sexual and pornographic movies then became a common occurrence, to the point that they were screened at newsreel theaters."
He also said too many Christians receive communion as a "purely ceremonial gesture" and too many people see the church as a "political apparatus."
But that has always been the case. You've had 1600 years to address those issues and here they are worse than ever.
"Therefore, when thinking about what action is required first and foremost, it is rather obvious that we do not need another Church of our own design," Benedict said. "Rather, what is required first and foremost is the renewal of the Faith in the Reality of Jesus Christ given to us in the Blessed Sacrament."
Exactly! Like I've been saying for a few years now.
The unprecedented letter marks an unprecedented moment for a former pope, especially because parts of it contradict Pope Francis' approach toward the scandal. The former Pope Benedict XVI hasn't made public statements since he stepped down as pope six years ago. He got the blessing from Pope Francis to write the letter.
"Since I myself had served in a position of responsibility as shepherd of the Church at the time of the public outbreak of the crisis, and during the run-up to it, I had to ask myself -- even thought, as emeritus, I am no longer directly responsible -- what I could contribute to a new beginning," Benedict wrote.
Pope Francis focuses on the corrupted power of clergy while acknowledging systemic problems that result in abuse being covered up, perpetrators being moved around to new, unsuspecting congregations and victims being demonized.
Benedict's letter focuses less on reforming the Catholic church and more on the moral declines he said he sees in society and the church.
David Gibson, director of the Fordham University's Center on Religion and Culture, tweeted that Benedict's narrative contradicts everything Pope Francis did at the February summit of bishops and cardinals. It puts Pope Francis in a bad spot.
"Another major problem with Benedict's XVI's opus blaming the abuse crisis on liberal mores and gays and secularization etc," Gibson tweeted. "So it is deeply problematic and damaging at a crucial time."
And yet, you cannot argue against what he says. It is all true! To ignore it will be like the church putting a little band-aid on a severed artery. Benedict's letter is the tourniquet to slow the bleeding if it's not ripped off as too painful. Now it's time to sew the artery back together and stop the bleeding altogether, if it's not too late.
It is painfully obvious that a priest or bishop who sexually abuses children or enables another to sexually abuse children has no fear of God. A Christian within whom the Holy Spirit dwells knows full well that there will be a Judgment Day when we stand before Jesus Christ, our Eternal destiny to be decided. Some are foolish enough to believe that some act in their past, Christening, Baptism, reciting the sinner's prayer, asking Jesus into their hearts ensures them a spot in Heaven for all Eternity no matter what they do thereafter. This is not what the Bible teaches. This is wishful thinking.
Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
No comments:
Post a Comment