Comment

Comment by Joan Denoo on March 6, 2013 at 5:03pm

I don't believe chemical castration is the answer for many of the reasons cited here. Rape and molestation is in the mind, not in the sex organ. Take away the sexual hormones, they still have power and control issues and will act on them. Take the penis away, the control issues remain. So???? Get them away from children, let everyone know the offenders condition, teach kids to protect themselves without putting fear of strangers into them. Many sex offenders are family members and neighbors, so the stranger-fear doesn't solve anything.

Comment by Richard Lawrence on March 6, 2013 at 10:54am

@amer chohan Regarding the pathway to becoming a priest, recruitment starts in the 8th grade of the Catholic school system, when you are graduating the elementary school and about to enter High School.  Most children who decided to stay in the Catholic education system after elementary school go to a regular Catholic HS. Some dioceses have Preparatory Seminaries which are Catholic HS but gear the students towards a decision to enter the priesthood over the next 4 years. Seniors will travel to the Catholic elementary schools and speak about the Prep Seminary and encourage those thinking about the priest hood to consider attending.  The Prep Seminary is an all-boys school as contrasted by the other Catholic High Schools which are boy/girl like any other.  Most of the faculty at the Prep Seminary are priests.  While there, students are allowed to date, have girlfriends, etc.  Attending mass is a weekly requirement, for me it was twice a week (Tues and Thursdays) and all are strongly encouraged to attended daily.  Attending the Prep Seminary is not a sine qua non requirement to become a priest but if there is one available in the diocese the student is strongly encouraged to attend. After graduation, those students who desire to pursue the priesthood will go to the major seminary and this is required to become a priest.  If memory serves it was two years at the major seminary and ordination upon completion though this may have changed.  While in the major seminary no dating; you voluntarily live as celibate and not doing so will result in your dismissal from the program.  

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 7:09pm

Of course it doesn't seem to have actually solved the problem, but perhaps it was worth the try.

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 7:08pm

It's possible just talking about it sent enough of a message to rattle the cages they wanted to rattle.  If the Vatican were to clean up its act on account of that veiled threat, that would solve the problem without starting what could technically be a war.

Comment by Dyslexic's DOG on March 5, 2013 at 6:26pm

Guess I'm a bit childish that way (I suppose my avatar signifies that point), but, being childish is usually fun!

Comment by Dyslexic's DOG on March 5, 2013 at 6:23pm

LOL! Steven, true, though setting such a precedent would be a great stir.

It no doubt would be the stir if the century!

I love stirs, so if I was a leader, I'd go for it, just for the stir factor alone!

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 6:20am

It would have been fanfrickingtastic--but I could tell it would never happen; the diplomatic repercussions of arresting a head of state on a visit would be extreme.  The US president?  The Russian president?  The French president?  They'd all be wondering who would be next.  Also the Brits would no doubt be wondering when someone would decide to do it to them.  A precedent that no head of state dares set.

Diplomatic immunity and treating complete shits who happen to also run countries as if they are respectable people does happen for very pragmatic reasons.

Comment by Dyslexic's DOG on March 5, 2013 at 5:58am

Though I read a news release some time ago that the UK was considering revoking the Pope's immunity during Benedict's visit and putting him on trial for allowing the abuse by his clergy.

I was looking forward to that happening, it would have been a great event.  Yes, fancy the head of the Catholic church serving time in a British prison.

It would have been FUNNY!

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/04/04/popes-immunity-prosecution-ch...

http://www.snapnetwork.org/news/vatican/diplomatic_immunity.htm

Comment by SteveInCO on March 5, 2013 at 5:54am

That's good to know; there might be a point to all of this other than just venting frustatration.

Comment by Dyslexic's DOG on March 5, 2013 at 5:52am

Not to my knowledge: In Australia, UK and the US some priests have dual citizenships and carry some diplomatic immunity, but if the police wanted to prosecute, they can.  Only the Pope carries full immunity.  It appears that they often don't get prosecuted, because traditionally the police avoided touching religion (esp. Christianity) and let punishment up to the church only.

In Australia there is a commission under way and likely many priests will be receiving lengthy prison sentences.  UK is considering the same action and possibly the US will follow suit.

Lets hope so!

Here's a site that also discusses this topic.

http://ask.metafilter.com/149629/What-is-the-legal-status-of-cathol...

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