Pope Benedict XVI has apologised to victims of child sex abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland.
In a pastoral letter to Irish Catholics, he acknowledged the sense of betrayal in the Church felt by victims and their families.
The Pope said there had been “serious mistakes” among bishops in responding to allegations of paedophilia.
The pastoral letter is the first statement of its kind by the Vatican on the sexual abuse of children.
I wonder if this revelation tips the scales for Anglicans wishing to become Catholic?
It is awful, disturbing and rattles the soul…but perspective is needed. The vast majority of priests are decent Christian men and the catechism remains sound. Why should the awful behavior of a few change the ordinariate? That will not be staffed by these
Bystander, I don’t think — for those who can assent to the doctrine and dogma of the RC church — that it will even so much as feather the scales.
Now, for those who really haven’t studied RC doctrine and dogma but are merely looking for an escape to currently pleasanter climes, yes, I’d think it would tip the scales a bit. But then . . . they shouldn’t become RC anyway.
and one might even suggest that faced with this on the one hand and the more serious fall of grace of an entire Anglican church on the other…..the Ordinariate might be an opportunity for creating renewal and new life with the best of both traditions
RE: “one might even suggest…..the Ordinariate might be an opportunity for creating renewal and new life with the best of both traditions.”
Well — certainly someone who believes in the assertions of the Roman Catholic church regarding doctrine and dogma “might even suggest” such a thing.
But then — they’re already RCs at heart anyway and should convert.
But those who don’t so believe in the doctrine and dogma of the Roman Catholic church would never suggest such a thing, recognizing as they do that “the best of both traditions” could not be so combined auspiciously at all.