They just don't understand the situation. I believe they sort of think that goes on, and has forever with the Church. Reading a history of the Popes sex lives is like following Democratic presidents around.

The Church is, I'm sure, sorry of anyone gets upset, but ultimately they are the power. Period. No temporal appeal. I think the Pope sits in the Vatican surrounded by almost as many syncophants as the US president.

A minor repeat of the Reformation. Luther didn't want to leave the Church, but the powers that be had been all-powerful for so long they didn't think they had to listen to anyone, could rule unquestioned by decree. Were plain out of touch, tried to ignore it, got bit.

A similar situation was that of the English Parliament during the events leading up to the American Revolution. Backbench parliamentarians could pass anything, believing the colonies, as colonies, should have to tolerate it. No choice. Could rule by Act, unquestioned. Passed a ridiculous, foolish Act they couldn't enforce, didn't repeal it because the backbenchers thought they had the "right" to do it.

In both cases power tended to corrupt, absolute power tended to corrupt absolutely. Believed in their absolute authority, didn't have to pay attention to the more common folks.

It will be interesting to see what happened. No doubt in my mind some homosexual kids seduced priests. Tough. No doubt some kids and females were molested, too. No more excuse than for anyone else.

And, the poor parish priest and parishioners. They certainly deserve better.

Three years of Latin? I took two, and that was a public school. Must be Father Phil.

Arf