Unchecked Power Grows
There is yet another report of Catholic priests sexually abusing those who were under their care and guidance. If the first was not bad enough, and it was, another report comes that priests who maintained a facility where developmentally delayed wards were supposedly getting assistance and help have been sexually abused by priests who had the custody and care of these wards.
Beyond the little boys, the little girls, the women and wives, it was reported last week that the Catholic Church maintained a facility that treated mental patients on a seven-day a week, 24-hour a day care basis, and at that facility, charges have been brought against priests sodomizing men and performing other sexual acts with the patients therein.
The widespread nature of the sexual abuse of children is almost documented worldwide. But there seems to have been more than the abuse of children. There is open homosexuality and rape of men by priests. This sexually predatory behavior is seemingly without any checks on it. That is one of the reasons Cardinal Law is being deposed in Chicago--to determine if anyone was watching over those who were supposed to be watching over the people of God in their assemblies.
What this Catholic experience has graphically shown all of us is that those who are supposedly watchers for the flock will as easily feed off the flock, as the wolves outside will. There is an interesting Bible verse about this very issue. The Apostle Paul stated that when he left the church, he knew that two types of wolves would come in and destroy the flock: wolves from outside and wolves from inside. [Book of Acts 20]
We need but look at the facts to see he was right. There are wolves who are within the Catholic Church who have been there for many years and their actions are being seen by all. Cardinal Law is being asked about the stewardship that he offered or did not offer in supervising, making sure that those who were supposed to be abiding by the principles and structures of that faith were in fact doing that.
The church and all its ministers are supposed to be paragons of virtue. All should have accountability and transparency. For when there is the power of God by fiat at one's command, that power must be governed, lest it grows. Unchecked power is usually abused power and power that will grow and be exercised beyond our imaginings.[]
Gibbs
3/8/05