Catholics Walk Out of Sermon After Priest Urges Forgiveness for Sexual Predators

[HonestJoe]

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

I believe that in Catholicism (and in general practice for that matter), forgiveness needs to be proceeded by honest repentance. There may have been something lost in reporting and translation but the priest here appears to be overlooking that vital aspect.

 

[Stevicus]

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

Why?

Why not?.​

It depends on what one means by "forgiveness." Back when I used to be a Catholic, I believed that forgiveness could only come from God; all we mere mortals could do was ask.

But either way, if one commits a crime, then society demands that they be arrested, put on trial, and punished accordingly if found guilty. Nobody should be allowed to escape justice, if they are truly guilty of a crime. Even the Church recognizes the idea of "penance." Forgiveness isn't free.

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm not a Christian, either, but I am into forgiveness. I was only finally freed of the effects of the abuse I experienced when I finally forgave my abusers. And I mean that fully!

I'd hold a permanent grudge.
But this isn't required in Revoltifarianism.

 

[The Reverend Bob]

Gandhi said: "Hate the sin, love the sinner,"

If Gandhi said that then he is a diaper wearing plagiarist

 

[Shadow Wolf]

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

According to Jesus, if they are repentful then yes. If not, then yes. But, of course, Im not entirely sure Jesus had anything like this debacle in mind when he said to turn the other cheeck.

 

[David1967]

.

"Around 70 Catholics walked out of a service after retired priest Ulrich Zurkuhlen urged everyone to practice forgiveness… for predator priests who had been found guilty of molesting children.

Zurkuhlen was trying to make the case that no one is purely evil and that the pedophiles were also “good clerics in their communities,” but the Church members, some of whom were reportedly victims of sexual abuse, weren’t having it.

Several parishioners reportedly interrupted the 79-year-old Zurkuhlen and tried to argue with him. A worshipper told Kirche-und-Leben that the situation became chaotic and the priest was not able to finish the sermon.

When asked about the reaction his sermon caused among worshippers, Zurkuhlen said that it was “a real shock.” He lamented that he was unable to get his point across, especially the biblically important meaning of forgiveness, to what he called “the screaming mob.”

​

Ah, yes. That’s a good idea. Insult the people making a good point while doubling down on your bad one.

The problem isn’t his claim that bad people have their good moments. It’s that the Catholic Church’s leaders have a long history of defending predator priests and ignoring abuse victims until they’re forced to do so. Even now, Zurkuhlen seems more interested in finding a silver lining in sexual abuse than seeking justice for victims of the Catholic Church.

For now, the church has invited congregation members — whoever’s left, anyway — to have a conversation about the sermon on Monday. There’s no indication that Zurkuhlen will apologize or that he believes he has anything to apologize about."
source
​

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

Why?

Why not?

.​

It's about damn time.

 

[David1967]

According to Jesus, if they are repentful then yes. If not, then yes. But, of course, Im not entirely sure Jesus had anything like this debacle in mind when he said to turn the other cheeck.

I don't think Jesus had anything like the Catholic Church period in mind.

 

[The Reverend Bob]

"They" includes everyone doing so.

At least, when we find them, we throw them out of our organization! Disfellowshipped!

Yet, we take slack for that, too.

Yeah. Sure.

A Secret Database of Child Abuse

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I don't think Jesus had anything like the Catholic Church period in mind.

I suspect he had them and others in mind when he warned about those who would come after him and claim to speak for him.

 

[Milton Platt]

.

"Around 70 Catholics walked out of a service after retired priest Ulrich Zurkuhlen urged everyone to practice forgiveness… for predator priests who had been found guilty of molesting children.

Zurkuhlen was trying to make the case that no one is purely evil and that the pedophiles were also “good clerics in their communities,” but the Church members, some of whom were reportedly victims of sexual abuse, weren’t having it.

Several parishioners reportedly interrupted the 79-year-old Zurkuhlen and tried to argue with him. A worshipper told Kirche-und-Leben that the situation became chaotic and the priest was not able to finish the sermon.

When asked about the reaction his sermon caused among worshippers, Zurkuhlen said that it was “a real shock.” He lamented that he was unable to get his point across, especially the biblically important meaning of forgiveness, to what he called “the screaming mob.”

​

Ah, yes. That’s a good idea. Insult the people making a good point while doubling down on your bad one.

The problem isn’t his claim that bad people have their good moments. It’s that the Catholic Church’s leaders have a long history of defending predator priests and ignoring abuse victims until they’re forced to do so. Even now, Zurkuhlen seems more interested in finding a silver lining in sexual abuse than seeking justice for victims of the Catholic Church.

For now, the church has invited congregation members — whoever’s left, anyway — to have a conversation about the sermon on Monday. There’s no indication that Zurkuhlen will apologize or that he believes he has anything to apologize about."
source
​

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

Why?

Why not?

.​

Never considered that angle. perhaps the Catholic laity can forgive them right after they finish their prison sentence.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Yeah. Sure.

A Secret Database of Child Abuse

"A Secret Database", huh?
A case over 32 years old?
An exJW claiming he was beaten daily as a child?

While I know that some grave errors in judgment have been made by a few brothers handling cases, I've also known too many ex-Witnesses who hide the truth of why they were disfellowshipped. Cases I've been personally involved with, and know the reasons.

So, you'll excuse me if I don't believe ex-JW's.

If I had lived back in the 1st Century and wanted to know the truth about Jesus, I wouldn't have asked Judas Iscariot.

And yes, we do disfellowship those who willfully disregard Jehovah's Laws, which includes those who purposely hurt others.

 

[stvdv]

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

NO, they do not deserve forgiveness. Especially because he demanded forgiveness. Still too arrogant and without compassion/empathy.

Maybe good to give him 10 years free housing, free bread and water.

 

[stvdv]

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

Why?

Why not?

When asked about the reaction his sermon caused among worshippers, Zurkuhlen said that it was “a real shock.” He lamented that he was unable to get his point across, especially the biblically important meaning of forgiveness, to what he called “the screaming mob.”

That's why. Only thinking about himself, and even calling the victims of the abuse "screaming mob". A bit narcissistic, no empathy.
No feeling of understanding at all. Giving me the feeling that he himself might have abused little boys, wanting the the victims to forgive the rapists.

For 2000 years they threaten poor people that they go to hell if they have sex outside marriage
For 2000 years they have people pay money (indulgence) not to go to hell

For 2000 years they should repent, not lament

 

[Kenny]

.

"Around 70 Catholics walked out of a service after retired priest Ulrich Zurkuhlen urged everyone to practice forgiveness… for predator priests who had been found guilty of molesting children.

Zurkuhlen was trying to make the case that no one is purely evil and that the pedophiles were also “good clerics in their communities,” but the Church members, some of whom were reportedly victims of sexual abuse, weren’t having it.

Several parishioners reportedly interrupted the 79-year-old Zurkuhlen and tried to argue with him. A worshipper told Kirche-und-Leben that the situation became chaotic and the priest was not able to finish the sermon.

When asked about the reaction his sermon caused among worshippers, Zurkuhlen said that it was “a real shock.” He lamented that he was unable to get his point across, especially the biblically important meaning of forgiveness, to what he called “the screaming mob.”

​

Ah, yes. That’s a good idea. Insult the people making a good point while doubling down on your bad one.

The problem isn’t his claim that bad people have their good moments. It’s that the Catholic Church’s leaders have a long history of defending predator priests and ignoring abuse victims until they’re forced to do so. Even now, Zurkuhlen seems more interested in finding a silver lining in sexual abuse than seeking justice for victims of the Catholic Church.

For now, the church has invited congregation members — whoever’s left, anyway — to have a conversation about the sermon on Monday. There’s no indication that Zurkuhlen will apologize or that he believes he has anything to apologize about."
source
​

So, whether you're a Catholic or not, do you feel pedophile priests deserve forgiveness from the Catholic laity?

Why?

Why not?

.​

What do you understand forgiveness to mean?

 

[Skwim]

What do you understand forgiveness to mean?

forgiveness
[ fer-giv-nis ]
|
noun
act of forgiving; state of being forgiven.
disposition or willingness to forgive.

.​

 

[Kenny]

forgiveness
[ fer-giv-nis ]
|
noun
act of forgiving; state of being forgiven.
disposition or willingness to forgive.

.​

very broad... non-specifics.

what did the priest try to say?

Forgiveness doesn't mean let the abusers off from being prosecuted. But I'm sure you know that.

 

[crossfire]

I don't think Jesus had anything like the Catholic Church period in mind.

Jesus DID throw the money changers out of the temple.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I don't have any particular views on this issue but it seems to me that forgiveness or not often affects any aggrieved more detrimentally when they hold on to their grief or feelings of hatred than if they find a way to let them go. So, in essence, they are doubly hurt by those they have already been hurt by. Is that sensible?

 

[joe1776]

If Gandhi said that then he is a diaper wearing plagiarist

Gandhi said it but if he wasn't the first, please tell me who Gandhi stole it from and how you know he or she was the original source.

 

[sooda]

"A Secret Database", huh?
A case over 32 years old?
An exJW claiming he was beaten daily as a child?

While I know that some grave errors in judgment have been made by a few brothers handling cases, I've also known too many ex-Witnesses who hide the truth of why they were disfellowshipped. Cases I've been personally involved with, and know the reasons.

So, you'll excuse me if I don't believe ex-JW's.

If I had lived back in the 1st Century and wanted to know the truth about Jesus, I wouldn't have asked Judas Iscariot.

And yes, we do disfellowship those who willfully disregard Jehovah's Laws, which includes those who purposely hurt others.

You don't believe people who quit the Jehovah's Witnesses? Do you believe in Scientology? Do you believe Jesus has been ruling in heaven since 1914?