I just read an interesting article: “NASA Chief Wants to Send Humans to the Moon – to Stay.” Well, now. I can think of a few people I’d like to give the old heave-ho into the heavens right about now.
I’m out of patience, for instance, with the pope. Forgive my bluntness, but how long should we expect to wait until he makes real reforms in the wake of multiple sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church? I hear him saying a lot of words, but nothing is changing. Could it be he’s not sure what steps to take? Let me help, if I may.
- Defrock all priests proven to have abused children
- Give them no retirement plan or benefits, just cast them out
- Same goes for the bishops who covered up the abuse
- Removal of statute of limitations re: long-ago abuse
- Class action to remunerate all victims
- Criminal action to put offenders in jail
- Global database documenting all confirmed abuse cases
- Total transparency and public access to the data
- Sweeping reforms to protect children in the church
So. All of the above. Or, option B: Pope Francis resigns.
This may sound harsh, but I’d also like religious leader Joyce Meyer to retire. In a sermon last week, she recounted the sexual abuse by her father she endured for years. She said, flat out… wait for this one… “I’m glad it happened.” She said it had made her a better person.
Well. Okay. She’s canceled!
Where to begin? What a disservice this is to victims of sexual abuse. Some child is going through this right now. And her abuser, who probably thinks he’s a good Christian in all other ways, hears his preacher say it’s actually not such a bad thing after all.
I know I’m probably just in a mood from the recent doings on capitol hill, but someday, we’ll look back in shame on this era of the innocent being hurt by those in power. Maybe the next generation will come up with a way to make sure it never happens again. If it means sending offenders to a colony on the moon, well, I’m okay with that, too.
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October 8, 2018 at 2:51 pm
loristrawn
Woohoo! You are on fire! If I may, however, add one thing to your list: A board to review all cases of abuse, led by LAY PEOPLE. Bishops are clearly not capable of doing the job correctly. Clericalism is a disease!
October 8, 2018 at 4:17 pm
rhcwilliams
Yes! Yes. Lori, that’s an excellent idea. And probably the one they’d resist the most! Giving power to the people? They’d probably fight tooth and nail, but oh my. How needed.
You can probably tell I was in a mood yesterday, can’t you, dear heart? 🙂 But I always find my way back to center. Eventually. Tell you when I get there! Hugs to you for always having my back.
October 8, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Agreeing to Disagree | praypower4today
[…] of someone else. We have, after all, been charged to help the least among us. Like Miss Ruth said all so well, if you can’t be bothered, step aside. Enough is enough […]
October 12, 2018 at 2:45 am
calensariel
You know, just when you think we’re making progress in an area, something happens to undo everything. I must admit I’m really puzzled about Pope Francis. I’ve had so much respect for him till now. But by refusing to take control and do something to rectify the situation, he sure has become complicit (is that the right word?) in the whole mess. Dear Lord, give him wisdom, courage, and MOTIVATION!
October 12, 2018 at 2:56 pm
rhcwilliams
Amen, Lady C! Oh yes, complicit is exactly the right word. The silence has been deafening from the Vatican, which makes me think that all the people around him (all male, BTW) are also so tone-deaf to the reality of the abuse that no one’s been able to tell him the truth. It’s not about optics and it won’t just blow over. Lori’s right. Women need to be part of the hierarchy of the church. This whole fiasco is Exhibit A!
October 14, 2018 at 12:36 am
calensariel
You know, hon, and I suppose this is a radical idea, but I think they should let priests and nuns get married. That might go a long way toward solving this huge problem.
October 14, 2018 at 5:03 am
rhcwilliams
You’ve got a point there, Lady C. It sounds like a really isolating way of life, doesn’t it? I just know something’s really got to give, already.