The Pope and Responsibility

For some time now we have been hearing dreadful stories of abuse by priests of the Roman Catholic church. There can be no excuse for what has happened because it can only be described as a crime against humanity. But there appears to be a Vatican standpoint that says we have said sorry so now it is time to move forward and forget this terrible period in our history. From where I stand it is something that goes a great deal deeper. Many, many people have been abused and left scarred for life. They have suffered at the hands of those they were brought up to trust. If you cannot trust a priest it is difficult to know who you can trust. Back in January I was speaking to my friend Michael who is a catholic priest. One thing I was certain of is that it would help if catholic clergy were allowed to marry. The current problems are caused, only in part of course, by enforced celibacy. Take this requirement and some pressure would be removed, thus releasing some intended victims from abuse.

Look at the scene in Africa and note the incredibly high incidence of HIV/Aids. The Catholic church is working among people and showing immense Christian love whilst, at the same time, denying the faithful the means of avoiding illness. I refer to the insistence on condemning contraception. To continue in this way is to inflict pain and misery on thousands of people and their families. there are, of course, many ordained men of the Catholic faith who minister to people and do not force doctrine and dogma upon them. Thank God for such people.

The previous Pope was a great man who left his mark on Catholicism. Yet he was a traditionalist who saw to it in his lifetime that leaders were created who supported his views. This has effectively slowed down the change in the church to a very harmful pace. In other words John Paul 2 has made sure that progressive priests do not become Cardinals. He was a great Pope who burst out of the Vatican "prison" to visit his faithful all over the world. This was a progressive move, but the only one. His great friend and successor, Benedict, now, in some ways, mirrors the stranglehold Robert Mugabe has on Zimbabwe. Until he accepts radical change the Catholic world will continue to fester with its profound wounds. It is down to him.