Quote:
Originally posted by Yorick:
And you think this counters my point? Paedophile Priests are among the most despised people in society! By 'we' I do not mean simply the Catholic Church Timber! For starters, unlike Catholicism, most Christian denominations allow their ministers to marry.
Secondly, you are condemning Priests for protecting their comrades from further humiliation, yet in any other profession, protecting a fallen friend could be honourable. However wrong they may be in not naming PPs you seem to be setting a higher standard for them than anyone else.
That is precisely what I'm exploring.
Would you name your partner if he was your best friend, and yet committed a crime that would cause him to lose everything? You may do so, but would you seek to help him in any way, or join the chorus of those who deemed your friend an animal worse than manure.
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Well, seems to me that yes priests should be measured to a higher standard that the average person - as should any person whose profession deals with directly influencing other people's lives. Like teachers, politicians, ...
What also bothers me is that when homosexuality is mentioned, a short time later someone mentions paedophilia. These are two widely different things : one is a relationship between consenting adults, the other is taking advantage of a child's vulnerability and causing hurt.
If a friend of mine committed paedophilia, I would have no choice but turn him in, to protect children from further harm. This does NOT mean I would let him down and despise him though - if he was my friend to begin with, I consider I have a duty to help him. I would try as best I could to understand and comfort him - but I could NOT let children further suffer in the name of friendship.
[ 08-07-2003, 06:28 AM: Message edited by: Moiraine ]