So much for our new Pope. This is a disgrace and this Maciel guy can do his penance and prayers in jail. He does not deserve to be called a Father. I do not understand why we are letting him off with all of the priest's that has came forward.

I personally as a Catholic think Pope Benedict XVI does not deserve to be a Pope. I wonder what else we do not know?? Of course he does not even try to live a life like Jesus. I am speaking of his clothes, etc. Shame on him.

If he is guilty I apologize as a fellow Roman Catholic, and The Lord will take his vengance. I can only trust in the Lord and pray for the pain of those abused to be taken off them.

God Bless

Why would the church honor Pope John Paul II by making him a saint? He protected child molesters & the current guy is no better. Obviously I'm not catholic. That bunch is the ultimate ol' boys club. The abused children deserve justice but I'm not holding my breath. Can you imagine how they feel?

Figures! Having gone through sexual abuse myself, it eats me alive to hear how many children or innocent people suffer the effects of these perverts!!!

Thank-you,
Trina

The hypocrisy continues.

seriously..what is wrong with the world? how could you be so close with God and then go and molest people who are trying to get closer to Him? Then they dont even get and penalties..and we wonder why catholic preists still are molesting Boys....i didnt know it was that hard to put a stop to this....

UNBELIVEABLE!! This man should be put in jail like the rest of the perverts! How can the Catholic Church look the other way. Are they not ashamed of themselves!!

Just goes to show that the Golden Rule is still in place. They who have the gold, make the rule. Nothing ever changes.

so...what's wrong with that?
let's just wink and look the other way
but mine's ok
MONEY!!!

I am a non-practicing catholic. This is one of the examples why I left the catholic church so long ago. This is completely appalling and inexcusable. These priests should be severally punished, to the full extent of the law, just as non-secular individuals are. I am disgusted...

I don't understand how the Church can say it's a moral guide when it does things like this. It's horrible. You can argue about the logic of arguments for any religion, but allowing sex abusers to go with no punishment? There's nothing ethical about that.

I still haven't been able to find out if these seminarians were young adults or children etc... If they were young men, then it's a case of possible sexual harrassment, or just homosexual behavior, in that case I have no idea why secular America is up in arms about it. SInce when did they care so much about what homosexuals did beneath the sheets, Church members should be more outraged.

I know a man who was abused when he was 16 by a priest. 16? In my opinion at 16 you had gay sexual relations with a gay priest, you weren't molested.

In a time when the new pope has an opportunity to make great changes in the catholic church which are highly necessary and too long in coming, he has taken several giant steps backward in his leadership. How sad that politics take precedence over respect for the active priests in "his" care. My prayers are with those priests whose trust and faith in their "leader" has been so sadly missplaced.

I'm embarassed to say I'm Catholic these days.

I wonder when this mega dynasty is going to collapse. I wonder when the congregations will wise up and denounce this house of horrors. Time to stop adding to that collection plate.

This priest, is not going to heaven.

Once again the church turns a blind eye and avoids what it needs to face up to. The priesthood is perceived as a haven for perverts and molesters. Let them marry and have decent people become priests. Who can we Catholics trust? Seriously? The Pope needs to go to confession and or step down for covering up this crime. Clean house now.

For the record, many of the accusers say they were in their young teens when molested by Father Maciel. They say he would "forgive their sins" because they were helping God's work.

To Outsider:

You have to realize that these cases are from over 50 years ago, this didn't happen last night. The statute of limitations is probably long sicne expired. There is no way to punish the priest to the fullest extent of the law. The process was whether or not to punish the priest internally. In this case the Vatican removed all public duties as a priest and told him to go live his life in prayer and penance. What should the Church have done burnt him at the stake? The Church can't punish him anymore than derfocking him, nor can they stop secular authorities from making a case against the priest. If it was up to me I would make an example out of him, butthe Church is more forgiving I guess.

Most people here probably know about zilch as to the details of the case they are speaking about anyway.

I have been a life long Catholic. Catholic schools all thru my educational experience. When I think of all the guilt the nuns and priests piled on us students then to find that the same standards don't apply to them-I am disgusted!

Following the examples of Jesus Christ! What?! If Father Maciel was following Jesus Christ’s examples, he would be protecting God’s children, not harming, molesting and exploiting them. He should not be comparing himself to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is pure and good. Jesus Christ protected God's children from harm whereas Father Maciel did not. Jesus Christ died and went to heaven, Father Maciel will not be.

The Catholic Church has lost all my trust in protecting God's children. We are all God's children. To those who harm, molest children and protect those that do, burn in Hell for all eternity. To those who stand with courage and compassion in their hearts to protect God’s children, thank you.

OF COURSE, Mr expensive designer red Prada wearing Pope. He is more concered about image than reality. They are all in one it, it is a corrupt immoral dyanasty and a haven for child molesters, perfect cover!