EVILNESS IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH – UPDATED

UPDATE

I am updating my post from yesterday and making it my featured post. I’m so infuriated by this story that I’m seeing red. The local radio station was reporting the story this morning and they said that the reason the Grand Jury did not indict Cardinal Bevilacqua was because he is 86 years old and in poor health. Since when does your age have anything to do with whether you have committed a crime. And make no bones about it, this man committed a horrific crime. He knowingly allowed deviant evil predators to rape 10 year old boys. He transferred these fiends to other parishes, allowing them to rape again. This man should be thrown into prison like a common punk criminal.

The evil acts of these priests is almost beyond comprehension. You need to understand the point of view of a 10 year old boy in Catholic school. You are in 4th grade. You still play with army men. You play little league baseball. You are taught from 1st grade on that priests are Jesus Christ. You are in awe of priests. You are a little bit afraid, because they have the power to forgive your sins. A priest is an all-powerful figure. Now imagine your ten year old son with a priest’s dick in his mouth and the priest sticking his dick in your ten year old son’s ass. THINK ABOUT THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone had done this to my sons, I would get a gun and I would kill these deviant fuckers. I would not care about the consequences. First I would beat them within an inch of their lives and then I’d put a bullet in their heads. Then I’d go to confession, say I’m sorry, say 5 Our Fathers, and then according to the Catholic Church everything would be OK.

Think about the fact that Bishops, Cardinals, and even the Pope not only covered up these acts, they shipped these deviants to other parishes. When told of these acts, Cardinal Bevilacqua’s first question was whether the statute of limitations was up. THINK ABOUT THAT!!!!

I was born Catholic. Do I believe in God? Yes I do. I do wonder how he can allow this to happen, but I do believe in God.

Do I believe in the Catholic Church? NO I DO NOT. The Catholic Church is an Institution made by men for the benefit of men. The MEN who run the Catholic Church care about power and money. They are no different than Wall Street Bankers. These MEN have not been brought to justice. The Catholic Heirarchy is Evil because they have committed evil acts. Until they are brought to justice anything the Catholic Church does or says is suspect.

YESTERDAY

It has been many months since my last post about the Catholic Church Sexual Abuse coverup. The Phila Archdiocese had been shaken by a priest abuse scandal a few years ago. When the list of evil child fucking priests was revealed, I saw the name Father Shea on the list. He was the assistant pastor at my parish when I was a kid. Not only did this little boy fucker not go to jail, Cardinal Bevalaqua didn’t even defrock him. He lives out his days in the St Francis Home for elderly priests in Darby, PA. It seems that the statute of limitations was up for all the abuse cases put forward by the Grand Jury.

The part that infuriated me was not that there were child fucker deviant priests. There are sexual deviants all over the place. The heirarchy of the Catholic church – Pastors, Bishops, Cardinals and even the Pope, covered up this sexual abuse. They did not turn these evil scum over to the police. They knowingly transferred them to other parishes where they could satisfy their evil urges again and again. For these acts, the heirarchy of the Catholic Church deserve to burn in the hottest part of HELL.

The Catholic Church PR machine assured the public that they had rooted out the evil sexual predators and the scandal was a thing of the past. Pass the collection plate please. No one in the Catholic heirarchy went to jail. No Cardinal or Bishop was defrocked. The Pope has been implicated in the coverup. The Catholic Church is the richest church on earth. They fight every accusation. They pay hush money to the families of the victims. They close parishes and don’t build new high schools because they have to keep paying millions to the victims. All done in secret.

But the truth keeps being revealed. Below is one of the most disgusting stories you will ever read. The Grand Jury has just issued a 128 report of evilness that will make your blood boil. I have provided a link to the report, but I’ve posted the first 5 pages below for your enjoyment. This evilness permeates the Philadelphia Archdiocese. The current and past Cardinals of Phila should go to jail.

I spent 12 years in Catholic School. I went to church every week. I’ve sent all three of my boys to Catholic School. In the past year, I’ve become so disgusted by the leadership of the Catholic Church, that I stopped going to Mass and giving them any money. I will never give another dime to this corrupt evil organization. They are no better than the mafia or the criminal banks that I rail about.

I judge people and organizations by their actions, not their words. The actions of the Catholic Church are vile, evil and disgusting. These MEN portray themselves as holy and representing Jesus Christ. Nothing could be further from the truth. May they all burn in hell. 

http://www.phila.gov/districtattorney/PDFs/clergyAbuse2-finalReport.pdf

4 priests charged in sex abuse investigation

By David O’Reilly

Inquirer Staff Writer

Monsignor William Lynn, former head of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Clergy, has been charged for allegedly failing to protect children from sexual abuse by priests, District Attorney Seth Williams announced today.

Two felony counts of endangering the welfare were lodged against Lynn follow a grand jury investigation, Williams said at a news conference.

Williams also announced the Revs. Charles Engelhardt, 64, and Edward Avery, 68, and Bernard Shero, 47, a former 6th grade teacher at St. Jerome’s School in Northeast Philadelphia, had been charged with raping and sexually assaulting the same boy in the parish between 1998, when he was 10 years old, and 2000.

Another priest, the Rev James Brennan, 47, is charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in 1996.

All five men were arrested today, official said.

Williams said Lynn, who was the Archdiocese’s Secretary of the Clergy from 1992 to 2004, “supervised two of the abusers . . . knew they were dangerous and chose to expose them to new victims.”

Since 2004 Lynn has served as pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Downingtown, a parish of nearly 4,000 families.

As head of the clergy office, Lynn oversaw all priest personnel issues, which included advising Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua and his successor, Cardinal Justin Rigali, on the assignment of priests; interviewing persons who reported sexual abuse by a priests; and overseeing the treatment of clergy known to have abused children.

In a message to church deacons, Rigali said he could not comment directly on the grand jury report because he had not yet received it.

But, he added: “I know the release of this report will be painful and my deep concern is for all of those who have been abused. I urge all the faithful of the Archdiocese to pray for, to extend every concern for and remain open to understanding the experience of the victims. It is in that spirit that we reflect upon the grand jury’s actions and the recommendations they make.”

At Lynnn’s church in Downingtown, workers in the parish office declined comment, abruptly referring reporters to Donna Farrell, the archdiocesan spokeswoman.

When an Inquirer reporter began to speak with a female parishioner outside the building, one of the workers ran out, grabbed her, and pulled her inside.

Several other parishioners expressed shock at news of the charges but declined to give their names. A man arriving for choir practice said he did not have enough information to comment. A woman who pulled up at the adjacent church school – which her daughter attends – said she did not want her remarks to reflect adversely on the school.

“We love this school,” she said. “I’m absolutely stunned; we totally trusted him.”

Today’s charges come nearly 5 1/2 years after a Philadelphia grand jury excoriated the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for an “immoral cover-up” of its sexually abusive clergy, and for creating what it said was a climate that exposed hundreds of children to assault.

Although the 2005 report directed much of its ire at Bevilacqua, the Roman Catholic archbishop from 1988 to 2003, it mentioned Lynn 652 times – more than any other member of the archdiocesan hierarchy, including Bevilacqua.

“Secretary for Clergy Lynn . . . treated victims as potential plaintiffs. Not only did they not receive apologies acknowledging their abuse, but many were bullied, intimidated, lied to, even investigated themselves,” the report said.

It also accused Lynn of repeatedly failing to investigate abuse charges, reassigning abusive priests, and concealing their crimes from civil authorities and the Catholic laity.

“It became apparent to the Grand Jurors that Msgr. Lynn was handling the cases precisely as his boss [Bevilacqua] wished,” it said.

The assistant district attorneys who wrote the scathing, 468-page report in 2005 said their office had sought ways to bring criminal charges against several archdiocesan leaders but were frustrated by Pennsylvania’s “inadequate” state laws, such as the statute of limitations.

OPENING PAGES OF THE GRAND JURY REPORT

 

In September 2003, a grand jury of local citizens released a report detailing a sad history of sexual abuse by priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. That abuse was known, tolerated, and hidden by high church officials, up to and including the Cardinal himself. The previous grand jury was frustrated that it could not charge either the abusers or their protectors in the church, because the successful cover-up of the abuse resulted in the expiration of the statute of limitations. Now, measures taken in response to the previous report have led to new information about more recent abuse, which this grand jury was empaneled to investigate. The fact that we received that information, and from the church itself, is some sign of progress; and this time there will be charges. The present grand jury, however, is frustrated to report that much has not changed. The rapist priests we accuse were well known to the Secretary of Clergy, but he cloaked their conduct and put them in place to do it again. The procedures implemented by the Archdiocese to help victims are in fact designed to help the abusers, and the Archdiocese itself. Worst of all, apparent abusers – dozens of them, we believe – remain on duty in the Archdiocese, today, with open access to new young prey.

Billy and Mark

This grand jury case began because two men came forward, while still young, to say what was done to them as children. By no means do we believe that these are the only two parishioners who were abused during this period. It remains an extraordinarily difficult thing for adults to tell authorities that they were taken advantage of, in the most intimate, shameful ways, by people they trusted. Their stories must be told, however, because they reveal a great deal about the current treatment of sexual abuse in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

Twelve years ago, Billy was a 10-year-old altar boy in the fifth grade at St. Jerome School in Philadelphia. “Billy” is a pseudonym; he is still reluctant to name himself publicly, although he knows he will have to do so soon. While alone with him in the sacristy, Father Charles Engelhardt began to show Billy pornographic magazines. Eventually, the priest directed Billy to take off his clothes, and to put his penis in the priest’s mouth. Then the priest reversed positions, until he ejaculated on the boy. After that, Billy was in effect passed around to Engelhardt’s colleagues. Father Edward Avery undressed with the boy, told him that God loved him, had him engage in oral intercourse, and ejaculated on him. Next was the turn of Bernard Shero, a teacher in the school. Shero offered Billy a ride home, but instead stopped at a park, told Billy they were “going to have some fun,” took off the boy’s clothes, orally and anally raped him, and then made him walk the rest of the way home.

That was the beginning of a longer journey. Billy stopped talking with friends and started smoking marijuana. He would often gag and vomit for reasons the doctors could not discern. He checked books out of the library about sexual abuse. By high school he was taking pills, and then heroin.

The second victim, Mark, was only nine when he first met Father James Brennan, a parochial vicar at St. Andrew Church in Newtown. Father Brennan became a family “friend” who often visited the house. Mark, though, was the subject of special attention from the priest, who persistently wrestled with the boy, rubbed his back and shoulders, and openly brought up sex talk. When Mark was 14, in 1996, Father Brennan was finally ready to make his move. He arranged with Mark’s mother for a “sleepover” at an apartment the priest was renting. Once he had the boy there, Brennan showed him pornographic pictures on his computer, bragged about his penis size, and insisted that Mark sleep together with him in his bed. Then he lay down behind the boy and put his penis into the boy’s buttocks. Mark told his parents what happened, and they confronted Brennan, but he denied it and they believed the priest. From that point, Mark suffered depression, dramatic weight loss, and drug and alcohol addiction. Ultimately he attempted suicide.

FACES OF EVIL

Above is a description of the evil acts of evil people. The worse part is the coverup by the heirarchy of the Church. This man, Cardinal Bevilacqua knowingly allowed boy raping priests to be shielded from authorities and transferred to other parishes, while using the legal system to protect the Catholic Church from crimes. He authorized the payment of millions in hush money to keep the families of victims silent.

The exploits of Father Lynn are detailed above.

Cardinal Krol was the head of the Phila Archdiocese when I was a kid. He confirmed me. He also knowingly moved deviant rapists from parish to parish where they could prey on little 10 year old boys.

Father Thomas Shea was the asst pastor at St. Joseph’s parish in Collingdale when I was a kid. He had raped boys at St. Huberts. They transferred him to St. Josephs where he raped at least two boys, one who later committed suicide. He resides in an old priests home, never being charged because of the statute of limitations.

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MikeinAZ
MikeinAZ
February 10, 2011 5:16 pm

At least out here, it’s the teachers, not the priests!

A furious Phoenix mother who found shocking text messages on her child’s cellphone called the girl’s gym teacher, a trusted family friend, and accused him of having sex with her daughter.

When the teacher admitted he had done it, court records say, the girl’s mother called police and they immediately launched an investigation into the suspected relationship between Carl Mosher, a St. Gregory’s Catholic School physical-education teacher, and an eighth-grade student.

Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Martos said Mosher, 32, a teacher at the school at 3440 N. 18th Ave., is suspected of having begun the sexual relationship in December when the student was 13 years old and continued on until this month, during which time the student turned 14.

Martos said parents of the girl contacted police Friday.

“Apparently, the suspect has known the family for some time,” Martos said. “The parents saw text messages between her and the suspect and talked to their daughter, and she admitted to sexual contact.”

Court records indicate the victim’s mother called and confronted the suspect on Friday. She told police he admitted having had sex with the girl and admitted other sexual acts.

Martos said detectives began their investigation that evening and arrested Mosher early Saturday.

According to court records, the girl was taken to a sexual-assault nurse examiner who found evidence consistent with recent sexual activity and consistent with what the girl had told investigators.

Detectives determined that the contacts between the teacher and student took place in the suspect’s office on the school campus, court records show.

St. Gregory is under the authority of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. Diocese spokesman Robert DeFrancesco said in a written statement that “the minor’s parents reported the matter to civil authorities on Friday evening, and the school was placed on notice after that.”

Mosher has been placed on administrative leave, DeFrancesco said.

“School and diocesan officials are cooperating with the police investigation, which is ongoing,” DeFrancesco said.

DeFrancesco said the diocese, through its Office of Child and Youth Protection, “has extended its assistance to the victim and the victim’s family and is prepared to extend its assistance to all who are part of the parish and school community.”

Martos said Mosher, who is married and has two young children, was booked into a Maricopa County jail on four counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Pirate Jo
Pirate Jo
February 10, 2011 5:21 pm

This is why you all need to quit wasting your money on this religion stuff and worship the Great Pug Buddha.

MuckAbout
MuckAbout
February 10, 2011 5:46 pm

Well, Admin, you know my views of organized religion and for you – better late than never. I was never molested in 8 1/2 of parochial school, alter boy BS, et al. But the first chance I had, I ran out the door and never went back. For some reason, I managed to figure out early that they were nothing but a big, greedy vicious corporation that ate people’s souls (I thought we had one at that time but now I know better).

@PJ: “worship the Big Pig Buddha”??? Who dat? What dat? The god of our Federal Reserve Chairman?

Kill Bill
Kill Bill
February 10, 2011 8:47 pm

The Catholic Church is the richest church on earth -Admin

But God loves you and needs your money -George Carlin

Chris Valenzuela
Chris Valenzuela
February 10, 2011 10:00 pm

Admin, I too went to Catholic schools in Wilmington Delaware. I was an altar boy. I lost my faith back in 1968 because of all this. My brother dropped out of the seminary because of the sodomites. I just rejoined the church. The church is a vehicle. There are good conservative priests and there are liberals. I don’t believe a pervert priest can administer the sacraments, his life has meaning only to Satan. My family goes to the churches that celebrate the Tridentine Mass. The pre- vatican II followers are the good folks. Hey, the church reflect societies mores but there are still decent folks out here like yourself.

Opinionated Bloviator
Opinionated Bloviator
February 11, 2011 7:32 am

You cannot regain the Moral high ground unless you are willing to not only renounce your sins but actively drive them out regardless of the dictates of political gain or expediency – repentance involves humbling yourself to God and “paying the price”, especially when it costs you.
The world is overflowing with spin doctors, perception managers and Goebelizers. Leaders willing to make a stand are in desperately short supply in this our “Panem et circenses” age of consumption and ignorance.

Pirate Jo
Pirate Jo
February 11, 2011 8:56 am

Sure MuckAbout, I’m happy to explain.

The people in this world who experience the greatest love, joy, and laughter are those who have pugs. The source of all pugs is the Great Pug Buddha. Now I’m obviously his favorite, because he sent me the best pug of all, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t hundreds of thousands of other little pugs out there, almost as good as this one, waiting in a shelter for someone to take them home and be blessed.

These people, for example, are raising their kid right and teaching her what she needs to know about love and faithfulness, but without the pederasts:

Now all you blasphemers, heathens, and infidels who gave my earlier post a thumbs-down, well, nothing bad will happen to you. The Great Pug Buddha isn’t like other deities. He doesn’t seem to know anything about hate or revenge or scorekeeping. But that’s him. Pirate Jo hopes you step in some dog poop.

Happy Friday!!!

Persnickety
Persnickety
February 11, 2011 11:08 am

Ever noticed that any poor eastern bloc guy who was alleged to be a member of the SS or a concentration camp guard was pretty much immediately deported from the US, regardless of questionable evidence or the alleged Nazi’s age (ancient), poor health and being a good US citizen for the preceding 30-50 years?

Think there might be a little double standard, eh? Because being some schmuck given a choice between guarding a death camp or going through it (one way) is certainly a far greater crime than raping little boys for your entire 40 year career, right?

(For the record I have zero Nazi sympathies, grandparents who served in the US Army in WWII, and no one in my ancestors who wasn’t in the US or Canada by 1880).

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 11, 2011 11:46 am

Scenario if my sons were sodomized by a Catholic priest.

Me: “Bless me Father, for I have sinned.”

Priest: “May the Lord be with you. How have you sinned?”

Me: “I haven’t sinned yet.”

Priest: “Then why are you here?”

Me: “I’m going to kill someone soon.”

Priest: “I see. What do you want from me?”

Me: “I want absolution before doing it. Is that possible?”

Priest: “Sure. Murder is serious shit. So, say 100 Our Fathers and 50 Hail Mary’s.”

Me: “Thanks. See ya later Motherfucker. BANG BANG BAM!!!”

Persnickety
Persnickety
February 11, 2011 11:56 am

Re: Stuck’s comment. Anyone seen Sin City?

cv51
cv51
February 11, 2011 1:27 pm

Admin, Take them to the mat. This shit must be exposed and the money cut off. I only donate to the building fund. Any oither money goes to the bishop et al. This fucking country is too politically correct to fry these bastards.

Snake
Snake
February 11, 2011 6:49 pm

I have lost many a friend and several of my wife”s relatives will not look me in the eye because of my outbursts about the fucking catholic (I will NOT capitalize catholic) money mongers and the pope who is seen as God on earth. God on earth? Fuck that bastard.

Hope@ZeroKelvin
Hope@ZeroKelvin
February 11, 2011 7:04 pm

@Admin: Could not have said it better myself.

I also was raised in the Catholic Church, got married in it, both kids baptized/confirmed, was going the whole Catholic route. When the child-abuse scandle broke, it broke something inside of me. Like my faith and trust in the institution and the people in it. Sorry, could not separate the evil child rapers (who are few) from the many good people I met in the Church. For me it was that the cover up CAME FROM THE TOP of the church hierarchy that did it.

You stated your sense of outrage and betrayal very well, I agree whole-heartedly and salute you.

Left the hurch, never to return. Not one more penny from me.

newsjunkie
newsjunkie
February 11, 2011 7:57 pm

Admin – I hope to God this didn’t happen to you, it just breaks my heart.

Apollo
Apollo
February 11, 2011 8:07 pm

Those who dare to study the sordid history of the Roman Catholic Church understand the current bunch of alter boy fuckers is but just a short chapter. The RCC had Popes who had multiple wives and ran whorehouses while residing in France. it had Popes who ordered the Inquisition of race extermination, waged holy wars of conquest over centuries, gave ‘blessings’ to the Spanish invasion of England, signed order ‘blessing’ the Portuguese military-explorers to invade Japan and divide up the Far East. It trained a gang of fundamentalist followers in China and encouraged them to stage an insurgency to overthrow the dynastic government. It had civil wars between the East and West RCC, war and splitville with the Protestants. It even signed a treaty with Mussolini to give the dictator a free hand on Italian fascism in exchange giving the RCC the status and of a sovereign state – thus immune to all external laws. And I have not even yet mention its 5-century war on science and critical thinking.

In short the RCC is a continuation of the Roman Empire, complete with extreme violence, moral degeneration and, in today’s world, mental control and conquest. Yes, all in the name of God. Yes a billion people still claim Catholics. The stupidity of mankind indeed can be infinite.

tired of bs
tired of bs
February 11, 2011 9:49 pm

Listen people – there is good and there is evil in this world. Bottom line, I was sexually abused as a child, not by a priest – but I know how it impacts your life. The Roman Catholic Church is the first organized Christian church – with grew authoriy and power. I went to Catholic school – but was not brain-washed. If you are going to look at any religion, business, government office, etc. – you will find evil and corruption. Why are so focused on these crimes? Do I think that these men are innocent – NO, should they pay for their crimes – ABSOLUTELY! But if you continue to harp on this one subject – it’ll just continue to make you angry. If anyone out there truly believes in a higher power, ie GOD, then start to pray for change, let go of the anger and let Him handle it all. Why does He let this stuff happen – remember 2 concepts 1) free will 2) FAITH. Try to make a positive difference in someones life every day. You will learn that anger is a form of depression towards outward. Let GO – LET GOD!

newsjunkie
newsjunkie
February 11, 2011 9:49 pm

I too know abuse victims, and of course, it happens outside the Catholic Church as well.

Thanks for being such a steadfast advocate for all of them.

biggyTmofo
biggyTmofo
February 11, 2011 11:21 pm

Good article. I did download the report and will read it later on. I appreciate your anger at evil. This is right and good. I read a review of a book Sacrilege by Leon Podles who in great detail examines the abuse and cover up of child rapists in clerical garb who were protected by the bishops who knew of these evil men and their actions. To call this a sickness makes me angry and ill. It is evil end of story. One thing that he pointed out was the lack of anger show when confronted the facts. This is a sign of serious psychological narcissism, the inability to empathize and feel true emotions of the sufferings of others. I do believe that in order to seek justice TRUTH must be sought without compromise. No other way is possible. Jim you are correct in that to a Catholic kid the priest is an extension of Jesus. They used these kids and threw them away like used trash and everyone knew it and looked the other way. Woe to him who tried to bring these men to justice and no wonder they had the courts in the church’s pocket. The response had ,thank s to the BG, changed in the last ten years since the Boston cover up happened and the bishops can no longer hide their evil actions. The bishops worldwide are dealing with their crimes being exposed and are looking to blame everyone else including satan and the Jews. I think what non catholic readers might not understand is how brain washed the people in the pews were for so many years. They were not able to think or reason outside the box too well. Pray, Pay and obey. They believed everything they were told by the priests and nuns about the highness of the clergy and bishops to the Pope. This is clericalism in the simplest way explained. They were to be worshiped. Now it’s all over but still people keep coming, enough to pay the bills in some cases. However with all the church closings going on and the pew survey which shows ex catholics at the second largest denomination in the USA the gig is rapidly ending. The hope is these old bastards die off and burn the evidence. As far as I am concerned good. Sell the rings and robes and property to help the victims and give the rest to schools that are being shut down because of high tuition. The clergy can get real jobs or try to in this tough economy.
I did read the book the Church that forgot Christ by Breslin several years ago and he details all the wrong doing quite well. Again the time and place may change but the playbook is the same wordwide. Lie, deny, alibi and the pass the trash management. They thing is I may have to really walk away too. I can’t stand it anymore either. All they want is money and control. Nothing has changed with VII despite a more friendly face. I went to a Jesuit schools and the education was second to none and taught to think. I use my thinking that supporting an unjust church is sinful. That to use my money to pay lawyers and PR staff to defend the church is blood stained cash and woe to him who accepts blood money. May these bishops rot in hell agreed totally.

Timeisrunningout
Timeisrunningout
February 12, 2011 1:18 am

Jim, This article makes me sick. I am Catholic too and went to 12 yrs. of schooling. We did not have any of these issues here at least none that came to the surface. My 3 kids went to 8 yrs. of Catholic school with good results. My view is more philosophical and aligns with your 4th turning articles that have frequented this site. This is all part of the end game here. Satan infiltrates the leadership of the church and tries to destroy it from within. Leadership does nothing about it, covers it up, gets more members angry, parishioners leave, tithing drops, credibility in an institution unravels. Do I blame you for being angry and pissed off? Absolutely not,. Many of the perverts and extreme liberals came into the seminaries during the 60’s and have turned the church upside down. They need to cleanse this cancer that is rotting the leadership before its too late.
Not only is the Catholic church in crisis, but there are Christian churches going bankrupt across the land. These “mega-churches” had big dreams and over extended themselves building their luxury palaces but now cannot re-finance their loans and their revenue is down with the economy,. I know this first hand since many of my firm’s clients made investments into church bonds to get a better return than Treasuries. These are the latest casualties of the so- called great recession.

So between the country going to shit and the family unit being destroyed and all religious institutions losing credibility, we are set up real well for the massive crisis ahead in the 4th turning predictions. HANG ON as things will get real interesting in the next couple of years.

Novista
Novista
February 12, 2011 6:51 am

Persnickety, right on! Classic noir with the graphic novel twist.

tired, sometimes rage against the machine is the only thing ya got going for you. Since we were given free will, it’s all up to us, not God. Just a thought. Think of Howard Beale.

KayGeeJay
KayGeeJay
February 12, 2011 8:55 am

One day I was on a route that moved from rural to suburban settings. I decided to use the long trip to see what is the primary industry of the United States today. There are no more factories – just office parks. So what of value do we make? What, is the basis of our economic activity?

Initially I thought the answer would be ‘pizza.’ But no, those shops only in towns and suburbia.

The answer, my friends, is religion. The factories of religion are the most commonly viewed plant on our streets and rural roads

By their extensive and frequently sumputous nature of their physical plant, we can assume they make a great deal of profit with a few hours of production once a week.

They manufacture guilt and sell an antidote too.

The buggers mentioned in this article have, among other crimes, made the mistake of believing their own scam.

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 12, 2011 11:05 am

For you old timers who know Stucky’s hot buttons.

I’m going to blow my own horn here. (No pun intended.)

A thread about religion ……….. and I have not cited even one Scripture … nor railed against God even ONCE!!

I want some fuckin credit for that.

newsjunkie
newsjunkie
February 12, 2011 11:51 am

Stuck,

How’s Ms. Freud today?

No wonder she was ragging on you the other night…kidney stones are a B!

hugh betcha
hugh betcha
February 12, 2011 12:30 pm

besides following the collapse of civilization and society you tbp readers and admin need to research this “history” of god and religion. i think you’ll find some compelling evidence waiting for you in such study.

if there is a God he never came here. however gods did come here (from somewhere) they came in ships… portrayed themselves as gods and basicly had their way with humans…

evidently they are still here…

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 12, 2011 12:44 pm

newsjunkie, She’s home and OK. They pumped her with some kind of acid cocktail (phosphorus? I think) and it passed. Thanks for asking. My dad had it twice. After the second time he increased his water intake and decreased red meats, that was 30 years ago and he never had it again.

Jmarz
Jmarz
February 12, 2011 1:26 pm

Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

This is a powerful book.

tired of bs
tired of bs
February 12, 2011 4:57 pm

noista and hugh – I feel bad that you have lost faith not only in mankind – but in God.

Faith is believing in something you cannot see. If you choose not to have faith – then that is part 2 -free will. Believe it or not – I’m not a bible banger, nor do I wear my faith/religion on my sleeve. I only want to get back to basics. There is evil and good everywhere. Stop trying to read into every single detail and historical aspect of this situation and try to sound super intellectual. Before you have doubts, I am a college graduate with a great job. Just went through a year with my having cancer and almost losing both my parents. However, through it all – I kept my faith in God and the church. Not everyone is where I am – on this journey through life.

I would hate to see anyone miss the boat!!!

Mom of many
Mom of many
February 13, 2011 11:57 am

My husband and I have been fans of your website for going on two years. It is one of the first sites that we both check on a regular basis. In addition to our beliefs about where the economy is headed we both have many similarities with you: both employed in finance (I am a CPA; he has an MBA); we are both in our mid/late forties, were educated in Jesuit universities and our kids attend Catholic Schools. I can’t tell you how sad I find it that you are falling for the oldest trick in the book – where Satan uses the sins of individuals in positions of authority (i.e. the priests) to keep the believers from the Sacraments. It is obvious by the actions that were taken by many of the priests that evil has penetrated the Catholic Church. However, that is between each of these individuals and God. Your only concern should be your own salvation (and that of each of your family members). Leaving the Church (i.e. the Sacraments) behind would be quite counter-productive to your salvation and that of your family members.

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 13, 2011 12:34 pm

“Faith is believing in something you cannot see.”
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I believe in The Great Pumpkin. Charlie Brown is the Pope.

There is ZERO difference between my faith and any other faith.
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.
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This will deeply offend people of The Book. Let the Thumbs Down Gods prevail.

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 13, 2011 1:14 pm

I’d say that “faith” is best descriibed as— the willful suspension of disbelief.

SandyEggo
SandyEggo
February 13, 2011 1:15 pm

I’d say that “faith” is best descriibed as— the willful suspension of disbelief.

tired of bs
tired of bs
February 13, 2011 2:05 pm

I apologize if my describing what my faith or my concept of faith upset StuckInNJ and others. Stuck…I do not know you or your circumstances – but sarcasim does NOT become you may as a person. However, part of my faith and beliefs are to try to help those who are hurting or angry at the Church and God, try to understand that charging and questioning God because of the evil doings of some priests is counter-productive.

Very well said Mom of Many. A million thumbs up!!! Isn’t it a shame we both had to state our educational background when we discuss this topic. I know by believing “in something you cannot see” or having faith – others who do not believe – may view you as uneducated. So sad.

If you believe in good (God), than you must understand and believe in evil. Those who are walking away from the church and are angry – don’t give in to the evil by turning your back on the Good – Him. You are only helping the evil to spread. I hope that is something you do not want!

Still educated – but disheartened and sad at responses!

PS – Admin – your salvation and that of your family’s is Mom of Many and my concern….because we care.

MuckAbout
MuckAbout
February 13, 2011 4:21 pm

@Pirate JO… First off, sorry about misreading Pug into Pig… that confused me..

2nd: thanks for the link. It is a real sweet thing to watch and I forwarded it to my daughters (who have nothing but sons between them) to be jealous of. One daughter does love pugs and she’ll get a bang out of it.

We’ve got a 11 pound female Yorkie-poo, be 14 years old this year. The day we found her, I put her in my shirt pocket to bring home.. She my 2nd love – after my sweetie of 54 years!. She walks with me with no leash, plays like a 2 year old and it will break my old heart when we loose her.

Thanks again..

tired of bs
tired of bs
February 13, 2011 8:53 pm

Just curious…are “stuckinNJ” and “SandyEggo” twins or one person using 2 emails to get make their point? Also, is this conversation about the scandal in the Catholic church or dogs? I’m sure there is a smart a.. comment about my question…however I really want to know!

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 13, 2011 10:23 pm

We are not the same person. Sandy posted without including her (his?) name, and then reposted.

bigargon
bigargon
February 13, 2011 11:09 pm

as a christian (and a person that was brought up as a catholic, I am now a born again Christian) the abuse in the catholic church is very disturbing. By its very nature the Church should be confessional by nature. One of the important tenants of Christ faith, is confessing ones sins and repenting.

Hiding these abuses are destructive on many levels; the destroyed lives of the children, the moral authority of the church, destruction of trust between the laity and priesthood, destruction of trust between the church and community.

There is nothing in the Bible that say their is a need for a celibate priesthood. the the celibate priesthood has led to all sorts of problems throughout the history of the catholic church with secret wives, affairs and ultimately abuse. Ultimately the only way i think the church is going to solve this problem is by getting rid of the abusers, and allowing priests to marry.

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 14, 2011 12:32 am

San Diego Guy???!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy Crap!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back, man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m really glad I decided to quick check in before heading to bed and satisying Ms. Freud … it’s 12:20AM. I DO hope you stick around this time. This is a fun board …. except for Smokey, llpoh, Punk, Muck, etc. j/k

Folks, you’re in for a real treat here. Sandy will give me a run my money … a very funny guy … and good poster.

TLaCour disapeared from blogger world. He doesn’t even post on Raging Debate. HE is the one guy who could give RE stiff competition regarding lengthy posts. And he knew everything about everything … just ask him.

Again … nice to hear from you!

Good night.

Stucky

StuckInNJ
StuckInNJ
February 14, 2011 12:35 am

Shit. Forgot to add ….. that Doom & Gloom HeeHaw vid is an oldie but goodie. Thanks for the laugh. Now I’ll be thinking about that as I’m humping Ms. Freud. Like I said …. thanks.

Anthony
Anthony
February 14, 2011 6:30 pm

Excerpts of an article written by non-Catholic Sam Miller – a prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman:

“Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States, namely the Catholic Church?

Do you know – the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people – not just Catholics – in the United States today.

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.

Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church; 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed.

Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia, 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not just a Catholic Problem.

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been totally weeded out by now.

Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States.

Then remember what Jeremiah said: ‘Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls’. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions.

bigTmofo
bigTmofo
February 15, 2011 9:38 pm

Per Anthony’s post. I live in the C’town ( Jim Rome parlance) and I know that Sam Miller has been a benefit to the community. He is a hard worker and good philanthropist. Yes there are Catholic schools( product of them) and Hospitals that do great work and are run very well. There are good nuns, lay people and priests who do hard and dirty work in those institutions who are saints and heroes regardless of your religious views. It is true that in Protestant denominations that there are pimps in the pulpit also using the same playbook, see Eddie Long story. I will admit that the celibacy issue too complex too deal with but let’s admit that unless that person has the charism, he will fail eventually. If he happens to have sex with grown men then so be it. The issue that pisses normal men and women of conscious is the cover up of these terrible crimes and these actions that JQ refers to happened recently, not fifty years ago. Again a point in my previous post if you seek justice than you must seek the truth. I think what I am sick of is the pharisees in charge claiming they speak for God when they only seek money and control. Bishop Lennon was caught on tape admitting as much as he seeks to ex communicate a break away parish and it’s pastor. The reason he is upset because the diocese won’t get their kickback in the form of assessments. How many of your know that the money you give to support your parish that maintains your church at the end of the day is property of the bishop and the diocese. And if the Bishop says it’s over then too bad. I think it’s better to send the money to a specific school or charity then funnel it through the diocese so the bishop can’t touch it. Thanks and all is good for everyone.

very angry ex catholic
very angry ex catholic
February 19, 2011 9:59 pm

las.,t year I was employed in darby pa as a nurse in a facility that houses 6 of these convicted pedophiles of the catholic church . it was a retirement home for priests, a place where these disgusting creatures were placed after they were convicted amongst elderly priests who were indeed sick and in need of nursing care. during my employment I suspected something was amiss with several of these priests being placed in a retirement home and asked why they were there,I was never given any answers to my inquiries,and after a very short time i was fired because I was deemed a not good fit, by the director of nurses. After reading on the net about the explicit sexual abuse committed by these deviates I am glad i was not a good fit, and thank god I am no longer a part of the secrecy of hiding theses criminals.I attended catholic school for 12 years and heard rumors over the years , so I was not completely shocked , but was sickened to know I was hired under false pretense to care for these monsters of society,who belonged in prison, not a retirement community.needless to say I no longer have any respect for the teachings of the roman catholic church.

Hope@ZeroKelvin
Hope@ZeroKelvin
February 19, 2011 10:08 pm

Sounds like you were in a position where your Moral Compass had a real chance to swing.

Take my advice: Never jeopardize your immortal soul/karma/sanity to try to achieve “justice” in this world.

It is seriously tempting, but that is the nature of temptation.

Be strong.

These monsters WILL be judged in another world.

tired of bs
tired of bs
February 20, 2011 7:46 pm

Very well said Anthony!! I was 22 years old and working at a anabaptist healthcare organization (church is similar to the Mennonite church but I won’t name the church institution) . My boss kept making inppropriate advances to me, touched me inappropriately, etc. – but he was a former “Rev” in the church that this organization was affiliated with. I kept telling my mother and she kept telling me to talk to the President of the organization – and I kept saying, “but Mom he’s a reverend”. Even though he was of a different religious background I still respected him. I finally came forward when it escsalated to the point where I was fearful for my safty and he was immediately escorted off the grounds. I came to find out later that he had been passed from church to church for inappropriate/deviante sexual conduct – and they dumped him at this retirement community in PA where I worked and he was able to victimize not only myself and my co-workers but the elderly persons we served. I also found out that he received a year of severance pay for going quietly and I was offered $500 if I felt I needed counciling – which I didn’t take or need!

Bottom line is this – and I keep saying it over and over again…there is good and evil in the world – it doesns’t matter what religion it is or denomination. PLEASE remember that your relationship with God and the church are the most important thing to focus your energy. Don’t allow the evil to spread by continuing to persecute the Roman Catholic church because of the actions of the abusers and those who covered up the abuse. Yes, it was wrong – but it is not the only church where these things take place. Let go of the anger and trust in Him and that His justice will be served to those deserving. Try not to put yourself in a place worthy of his justice – in terms of your anger and hatred of the church. Focus on the positive like Anthony did – and then try to remember your faith! It is a wonderful gift He has given you – if you choose to believe and not give in to the hatred but rather enjoy His unending Love for you!- you will find peace and be able to let go off the anger.

Still catholic, educated, employed and happily married (in case you were wondering!)

tired of bs
tired of bs
February 28, 2011 9:33 pm

Not to sound judgemental – because I am not judging you. However, in every post you seem to stress the word MEN. The point I was trying to make is that this deviant behavior by MEN and WOMEN should not test your faith in God.

I know of an Episcopalian church whose pastor was a women and a lesbian. She had an affair with a member of her congregation, with whom she was counciling, who was married to a MAN. Should she have used her in power and authority to “free” her to “come out” if she truly was a lesbian? SHE also crossed a line that she shouldn’t have crossed. It upset my friend and her church to the point where she too lost her faith for some time.

Your anger in MEN has been less than understated in this entire discussion/thread. If you believe in God and you believe in Jesus Christ (who was born as a MAN to free us of original sin) then I cannot understand your hatred towards MEN in the Catholic church or any church. It has taken a long time for WOMEN to be equal to MEN – why now are you implying that MEN are not equal to WOMEN?

I will not state anything else about faith or your own relationship with God; however, I am curious about your outright hatred toward MEN in the church – or perhaps it is MEN in general. Not my place to ask – however I do feel badly for whatever must have happened to you by a MAN that has left you this angry. I have been sexually abused by a MAN; however, that doesn’t mean that ALL MEN (in or out of the church) are not worthy of your respect.

Praying that you will find some peace.

stephanie boye
stephanie boye
March 13, 2011 10:21 pm

I am tearing up reading this post. Thank God there are other outraged “Catholics” like myself. I do not think I will ever call myself a Catholic again. I am soo horribly disturbed by what has been foisted on our most helpless members of the “Catholic” church. How many turned a blind eye to this depravity? I feel sick to my stomach thinking about what these children had to endure, how these images play over and over again in their minds, how they feel shame for something that had nothing to do with them. And all the while these men who have supposedly been steeped in faith and moral teachings for years…who people look up to, they abandoned them. Not only did they abandon them they put these monsters in perfect position to harm other helpless victims. They will not answer to God because they are not going to ever see his/her face. They will rot in hell.

sw
sw
July 29, 2011 10:32 am

I have always thought the Catholic Church / Vatican should be SHUT DOWN. They are nothing more than the largest cult in the world. Evil men are getting power and riches from good people who were brain washed as children. Think about it. The pope wears enough money around his neck to feed a small country. Children are sleeping in shelters and cars, going without regular meals while this A-hole lives in extreme luxury. Nothing good going on there!

Chris
Chris
August 6, 2011 8:56 am

What about telling the bloody parents to stop producing children when they cant give them the basic needs of food , shelter and clothing .’find something more productive to do then producing children. the Pope didnt produce these kids. And hey guys if you are so bloody bothered about all this lift yr fucking ass off the couch and bloody make a change yourself . You guys are a whole bloody group of frustrated assholes who have nothing better to do. And found some topic to blow your bloody trumpets. Have you ever asked your bloody selves why these kids fell prey to abusers because they didnt have a proper family life . they dont know who there bloddy father is since their mother is so busy with so many men in her life . no different from their bloody father. these bloody abusers you are so fucking enjoying condemning, are products of such families themselves. And hey stop bloody blaming everyone and everything. STOP JUDGING OTHERS.

howard in nyc
howard in nyc
August 6, 2011 11:48 pm

so, what happened to my post in response to the genius chris?