Its not just the Catholics anymore

[Cloud]

Not just the Catholics that were abusers; and not just the Catholics who covered this up. EVERYONE covered this up; because NO ONE talked openly about it prior to the late 70s.

What people are not understanding is that these cases that are coming to light in the Catholic Church are old; in many cases far too old to prosecute--30, 40, 50 year old some of them. I can assure you, that in that time period, if Joe Baptist or whoever was abused, and reported it, their Baptist leaders (or whoever) covered it up too. Or, they moved their pastors around, or sent them to therapy until they were "cured" and put them back into circulation.

Yes, it was wrong, but in hindsight, we are trying to wrestle with this problem with a certain amount of openness and understanding that did not exist at the time.

[jinx]

Originally Posted by Cloud

What people are not understanding is that these cases that are coming to light in the Catholic Church are old;


Yes, it was wrong, but in hindsight, we are trying to wrestle with this problem with a certain amount of openness and understanding that did not exist at the time.

Why do you think people don't understand many of the cases in the news are 'old'? And what difference does that make? Is there evidence of a change of tactic? I don't think so - I mean, Ratzinger is wearing a silly hat and not an orange jumpsuit RFN isn't he?
So why assume the child raping he personally was A-OK with has stopped? Maybe they just got better at hiding it. I mean, keeping detailed records of your crimes isn't all the bright...

The letters written back and forth suggest to me there was a certain amount of openness, just not with law enforcement - which suggests a certain level of understanding.