 07/05/2010 19:52 |
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Post: 2.768 | Registrato il: 28/08/2005
Registrato il: 20/01/2009 | Administratore | Utente Veteran | |
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Here is a statement from the US-based Fellowship of Catholic Scholars,
www2.catholicscholars.org/
founded in 1977 by Catholic priest teachers in order to adopt 'a more friendly attitude twarods Church teachings' in Catholic universities" in order "to serve Jesus Christ better by helping one another in our work and by putting our abilities more fully at the service of the Catholic faith." Its membership includes clerical and lay teachers at Catholc institutions... I am really surprised that few Catholic organizations and associations have chosen to formally declare their support for the Pope and the Church during thie current anti-Catholic media orgy...
Sex Abuse, the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict XVI
In light of recent events and media coverage concerning the sexual abuse of minors by members of the Catholic clergy, we would like to express the following resolutions:
1) We condemn in the strongest possible terms any sexual abuse of minors by any members of the Catholic Church, especially the clergy.
2) We share in a collective sense of sorrow and shame for the harm done to victims of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.
3) We resolve to pray and fast for all victims of clergy sexual abuse and those who have committed these crimes.
4) We recognize that mistakes have been made in the past by Church authorities in dealing with the sexual abuse of minors, and we applaud all measures to correct these mistakes by conferences of bishops throughout the world. We likewise support more rigorous screening of candidates for the priesthood, especially in the areas of chastity and adherence to Catholic moral teachings.
5) We express our gratitude to Pope Benedict XVI for his leadership and courage in dealing with the problem of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, and we condemn the unjust attacks made against him by certain elements of the secular media.
6) We condemn as unfair and inaccurate all efforts to link the sexual abuse of minors to the Latin Rite Catholic discipline of priestly celibacy. We likewise affirm consecrated celibacy as a gift to the Catholic Church which, “in many ways, is in harmony with the priesthood” (Vatican II, Presbyterorum ordinis, 16).
7) We recognize the sexual abuse of minors as a grave problem that affects many segments of society. We reject, as inaccurate and unjust, all efforts to portray the sexual abuse of minors as a problem particular to the Catholic Church. We support all efforts of the criminal justice system to deal swiftly and effectively with those who sexually abuse minors in public or private settings.
8) We also call for those accused of any such deeds to be given a fair and timely legal process, so as to protect the innocent and those unfairly accused.
Joseph W. Koterski, S.J.
President, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars
This statement was originally drafted by Dr. Robert Fastiggi of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in consultation with Professor Jane F. Adolphe of Ave Maria School of Law. It is posted here in a slightly expanded form with the approval of Dr. Fastiggi."
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