To a small extent, I get what Madman's getting at. Exaggerating the issue by saying "they're admitted pedos, they approve of pedophilia & they are PROUD OF IT!" is hyperbolic. Most of them are probably not pedophiles. Most of them probably don't approve of it, and I'm sure almost none of them are proud of it.
However, despite this, they're covering up pedophilia in a vain attempt to protect the reputation of their institution. This is arguably worse, since they know it's wrong, but they aren't willing to do what's necessary to protect the victims. This is one of those situations where "won't someone please think of the children?" is a valid call.
Spuki is a whirling ball of emotions who sometimes fails to stop and form rational thoughts before spouting out hyperbole and exclamation marks. This can be annoying. However, it is a far cry from suggesting that the Catholic Church is in league with the devil to bring about the endtimes by creating Islam and Communism. Her claims are based on reality, even if she's distorted by the lens of her anger and sense of outrage. The fundies just make shit up to discredit a rival organization. These things are not equivalent.
I'm a bit over-the-top but, keep in mind, it's not the RELIGION or RITUALS I have a beef with. Much of it is quite cool...beautiful in fact. In many ways I'm pro-Catholic. I ADORE the Mass, Sacraments, Angels, Saints, Mary, the whole ChristoPagany smells & bells and many things. My beef is with the Vatican as an institution, their backwards social policies concerning women, sex, LGBTs & pedophilia. Sure, there are many Clergy & Religious who are good people who wish to serve Deity & the community & certainly the RC Church is very active in the realms of charities, the arts, sciences, philosophy & music. They, despite all their fundyness, at least don't reject evolution & science (though they're very stupid in regards to sexuality). There's plenty of redeeming features, they just have to crack down on the corruption & change some of their policies, or at least modify them into something far more moderate. They need to embrace Vatican 2 again.
They need to realize that if they admit their wrongs, go hardcore against the pedo-freaks in their midst & focus more on the usual faith, devotion & charity, their reputation & credibility would soar! People will join their ranks! They would be a much better organization.
Charge is hard, minds are hard to change, change must be gradual. These folk's very nature is very conservative, for good or ill. If they don't want women priests, have a vocation known as Deaconess. You have Popes, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons & Religious Orders (Monastic & otherwise), why not Deaconesses? Someday they'll be open to female Priests, but until then, Deaconesses!
Also, make celibacy optional. Heck, a married couple can become a Priest & Deaconess!
If regular LGBT marriage is a sore spot, have a special union for same-sex & non-childbearing couples. Since these bozos have a hard-on for the idea of "Marriage is for Babies", why not allow this compromise? The legal & secular authorities can still call it a marriage but the church will have a different sort of union for the religious element.
Much of this issue with "pedo-priests" is that there's a bit of a priest-shortage & the church doesn't want to lose any more priests. The above measures I've suggested could alleviate that & the "pedo-tares" amongst the "priest-wheat" can be defrocked & put in prison.
Ideally there should be Women Priests, LGBT Marriage & such but until then, moderate changes.
I admit, my words were way too strong but the utter blatant disregard for decency amongst the Vatican bigwigs is inhuman. On the bright side, they're all a bunch of geezers. When the current crop of geezers in charge croak, the younger generation (many with more open minds) will then take their place.
As for me, I'll just be a NeoPagan & be happy with that....and I am!
