From Father With Love

The phrase has a whole new meaning in light of the controversy that is currently surrounding the holiest of the holy- the Papacy. The Vatican has responded with sufficient anger at the media reports that Pope Benedict helped cover up cases of paedophilia while heading the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. And come to think of it- what else can they do at this point. This is not the first time such accusations have been made and most end up with nothing more than an apology.


But isn't it time that someone in the Church starting treating the disease rather than the symptom? Sexual abuse is only one part of the various unseemly aspects of the Catholic Church that one hears of. There is the case of the Magadelene laundries from Ireland and also the stories of thousands of children forced into convents by Sisters who felt they were at danger of moral corruption because they did not have stable family lives.



Every religion has its moral codes and so does the Catholic Church. Trying to question them all would be fruitless exercises. But when some practices have worldwide and serious consequences, that religion should be open enough to re-examine those doctrines. Accusations of abuse in the Catholic Church have only escalated over the years and the storm shows no signs of blowing over. Maybe it is time for people and for Governments to sit up and take notice. After all if France and Quebec can take the bold step of banning Burqas in public because they undermine the dignity of women in a free-thinking society, isn't the cause of millions of abused children worth it?