Reading what went on in Pennsylvania, ( read my recent Blog entry ) hearing the Pope's apologies about the crimes perpetrated by Catholic Priests in Ireland, and so many other places, reminded me of an entry I had made in this Blog, some time ago, and which I think bears repeating
*********************
They
sang like a jubilation of nightingales.
Their
voices had been filling the cavernous expanse of the Cathedral of
Regensburg, in Bavaria since 975 A.D.
They
were called the “Sparrows of the Cathedral of Regensburg.”
The
Regensburger Domspatzen.
Some
people insisted that they were as good as, or better than the “Vienna
Sängerknaben”, the singing boys of Vienna.
When
the “Sparrows” had completed their part of the High Mass on
Sunday morning, they, however, returned to their quarters with
trepidation.
It
is now documented that sexual molestation, rape and physical beatings
for the slightest transgression awaited them. The Priests, assigned
to the young boys, knew no love, nor mercy. They did know brutal
repression.
The
first revelations appeared in 2010 with accusations going back to
1958.
Who
knows what happened between 975 and 1958.
It
is most interesting to note that between 1964 and 1994, Georg
Ratzinger, the older brother of Pope Benedict XVI, was the famed
“Kapellmeister” of Regensburg and in charge of the Choir.
He
admitted to have known about the physical beatings, but denied any
knowledge of sexual transgressions. That, within the space
of 30 years, he knew nothing of the multiple sexual transgressions is,
to say the least, difficult to believe.
He
also admitted to have remained silent in spite of his knowledge and
asked for forgiveness from the victims.
This
is the beauty about the Roman Catholic Church. You may do as you
like, as long as afterwards you ask for forgiveness and go to
confession. Then all is well.
Except
for the victims of these crimes, who likely remain traumatized for
the rest of their lives.
Can
we truly say that we are surprised? Of course not!
After
the drive to survive, the sexual drive is the second most firmly
embedded drive in the human mind and body. When this second most
important drive is suppressed, and is classified as sinful, it is no
wonder that feelings of blame, shame and fear beset the victims of
such suppression.
Priests
of the R.C. Church are, indeed, challenged and ordered to suppress
all such impulses, which seems inevitably to lead to sexual excesses,
including pedophilia. It is, of course, difficult to say which came
first:
The chicken or the egg.
I
wonder whether George told his younger brother about all of this and
whether this or the knowledge of similar transgressions lead to the
Pope's instructions that such abuse is not to be reported to the
authorities ( police ) but is to be dealt with within the
administration of the church.
This
usually resulted in the transfer of an offending priest to a new
parish, where he could find new victims.
Apologists
for the RC Church will say that there are pedophiles in all walks of
life.
True!
These are, however, not protected by their association, but are, in
most cases, dealt with by the courts.
By
the constant protection of priests, bishops and other members of the
clergy, in regard of sexual transgressions, by the demonstrated
practice of “money laundering” through the Vatican Bank, by the
avoidance of payment of various taxes, the Church, as a total
administrative body, is guilty of serious criminal activities, no
different from the Mafia and should under the law be treated like the
“Cosa Nostra”.
Instead
we sign and continue to respect “Concordats” and behave as if the
Church were man's best friend.
The current Pope, Franciscus, has loudly condemned the perpetrators and the act itself and it seems, that he is encountering stiff opposition from the ultra-conservative wing of some of the highest ranking Church officials.
Mealymouthed Bishops and Cardinals, as well as some of the rank and file of church-goers will find excuses for the crimes or, at worst, pretend that they never happened.
I feel sorry for Franciscus and wonder how low the hierarchie will sink in their attacks on and criticism of the man they elected "in God's name".
Bertstravels
has many Catholic friends
who share his dismay and disgust
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