To say that the Catholic Church is going through hell might be an overstatement; however, maybe purgatory isn't all that easy either. Pope Benedict issued an apology to victims of sex abuse in Ireland on Saturday, and announced an investigation into parts of the Catholic Church in the country while saying that the abusers would have to answer to God. Well, that's not all that may happen here.
There is such a thing as KARMA and civil law here on earth to which the church (any church) is not exempt.
In a lengthy letter to the Irish faithful, he addressed the victims and their families: "You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured." Benedict acknowledged that victims might find it difficult even to enter a church after what they have suffered. Well, duh!
"It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church," he wrote. "In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel."
The pope directly addressed the church abuse crisis that has rocked the Irish Catholic Church in an 18-page letter, which was made public Saturday. It is expected to be read in churches across Ireland on Sunday.
"I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious," the pope wrote.
If such abuses were limited to just Ireland that would be more than enough; however, that's sadly not the case.
An interesting web bot linguistics prediction by Cliff High's research sounded an alarm that this just might be the precursor to. Could the Catholic Church (and others) be opening itself up to the loss of tax exemptions, the confiscation of property, and retributions that don't wait on God to handle in an eternal life? Don't dismiss that massive shift in consciousness that is sweeping our third rock from the sun.
It's not just about a couple of Irish priests!
Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, the pope started thinking about writing the letter last summer after the publication of the Ryan report -- one of three separate reports on sexual and physical abuse by Irish clergy that has come out since 2005. The Ryan report, published in May 2009, investigated abuse in Catholic-run institutions primarily from 1936 to 1970. Many of the alleged abusers in the 2,600-page report were not priests, but nuns or Catholic lay people.
This story is only going to build!
