ILLINOIS
Effingham Daily News
Monday, June 1, 2015
Eric J. Thompson Local Columnist
In a recent column, Ron Worman stated he did not wish to belong to a religion (the Roman Catholic Church) that called him “intrinsically evil.” (”Father Bud and Bishop Paprocki,” May 7, 2015.) The Roman Catholic Church does not call anyone “evil” or “intrinsically evil,” never has and never will. The Roman Catholic Church does have five serious, grave, mortal, deadly sins it deems and proclaims as “intrinsically evil.” They are: abortion, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia and same-sex marriage. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the ‘sin’ is evil, not the sinner.
Ron, if someone told you that you are “intrinsically evil,” they were/are tragically wrong and you have been unjustly and ignorantly accused. We are all children of God, God does not and cannot make “evil.” “Evil” is a product of Satan. We can participate in this “evil” by way of our thoughts, words and actions.
To say someone is “intrinsically evil” (meaning: no matter how it is portrayed or spoken of, nothing taken from it or added to it will ever make it less evil), denies the love, mercy, forgiveness and sanctifying grace of our triune God.
The article from SNAP National Director David Clohessy was misleading at best and hypocritical. (”Advocate criticizes handling of priest’s removal,” May 5, 2015.) Google David Clohessy and you will discover good and not-so-good information on Mr. Clohessy and his organization. The following information I mention, I found at themediareport.com and catholicleague.org.
SNAP (Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests) was founded in 1991 by Mr. Clohessy. Clohessy was abused by a trusted priest. I won’t get into details; you can read from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights once you google Mr. Clohessy. I am sorry for him and his family. I have no idea of what torment and pain they have experienced; however, this does not give ‘free rein’ to attack our Catholic Church and her priests and bishops without proof and with no regards to fairness, righteousness and justice.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.