It
was recently in the news that in the Roman Catholic church (in America) in
numerous dioceses that over the course of decades that 300 priests had sexually
abused over 1,000 children! These cases involved brutal rape and violence.
However,
the silence of the church at large is very deafening when it comes to this
subject. Over the last 46 years of being in church, I have done my own
unscientific survey on the churches reaction to various sins. I noticed when it
comes to the subject of homosexuality and lesbianism the church is very vocal. When
it comes to adultery there are mixed reactions. When it comes to drinking and
gambling things get a little quiet (I guess its conviction). But, when it comes
to mentioning sexual abuse of children; it is an eerie silence.
The
silence is VERY eerie. And, for me, it makes all kinds of red flags go up. Why
is it so silent? It is that many people in the church are guilty of abusing
children? It is that many in the church are the victim of sexual crimes? Why
would people go silent and all the “amen” and “preach it” go mute.
In
my opinion to sexually abuse a child has to be one of the lowest, most
deplorable and sinful acts and crimes a person can commit. And, when it comes
to “we have to love” and “we have to forgive,” we can carry that too far.
Loving and forgiving does NOT mean that there are not consequences. Loving and
forgiving does NOT mean that you get to mess up and scar a person for life and
you freely go on your way; because, “we have to forgive.” Child abusers should
be held accountable to the full extent of the law.
Homosexuality
and lesbianism is rampant in the church and society like never before. Not all;
but in many of these cases, the persons have been sexually abused as a
child-and are thus confused about their sexuality. Homosexuality is a sin. Lesbianism
is a sin. But, so is sexually abusing a child.
These
cases that have occurred in the Roman Catholic Church are what makes it so hard
to evangelize the world and spread the Good News. Woe unto anyone who would be
a hindrance to souls coming into the Kingdom.
