UNITED STATES
End the Lie
Richard Cottrell
Contributing writer for End the Lie
As the ship of state veers close to a deadly reef in the teeth of a violent storm, the captain and all his crew are suddenly struck blind. This is an apt simile for the uproar surrounding the extent and gravity of the child abuse scandal eating at the very fabric of the Roman Catholic Church.
The first reaction of Pope Benedict and his advisors in the circumstances is to adopt a strict policy of eyes wide shut.
Editor’s note: Here in the United States allegations of sexual abuse are swept under the rug so hastily that accused priests are actually able to hold supervisor positions with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Believe it if you will, the conference of Italian bishops has just issued new guidelines on what to do if abuse cases involving priests (or for that matter, higher ranks of the church) come to their attention.
Answer: nothing.
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