Is the Catholic clergy really just one big pedophile ring? I am sure that even raising this question will get me into lots of trouble, but I have been wondering about this for some time now. Such thoughts are bolstered by the latest from Philadelphia, see just the lead of this story below. Is it not very suspicious that the highest ranks of the church, including the highest ranks of the Vatican, have either actively protected these priests or tried to cover up? The situation with Bernard Law in Boston would suggest this too. These remarks should not, of course, be considered an attack on the average believing Catholic, who is likely--along with his or her children--to be a victim of the crimes of these priests either directly or indirectly.

September 21, 2005
Philadelphia Archdiocese Concealed Sexual Abuse, Grand Jury Finds

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHILADELPHIA -- Leaders of the Philadelphia Archdiocese including two cardinals concealed sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests for four decades, a grand jury has found, but no criminal charges can be brought against the church or its clergy because of the limits of state law.

The grand jury, convened more than three years ago, issued a scathing report Wednesday that documents assaults by more than 60 priests. It also alleges a cover up by the late Cardinal John Krol, archbishop of Philadelphia from 1961-88, and his successor Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, who retired in 2003.

"To protect themselves from negative publicity or expensive lawsuits -- while keeping abusive priests active -- the cardinals and their aides hid the priests' crimes from parishioners, police and the general public," the report said.