Sorry, but I have to disagree on this one. As much as I dislike the Roman Catholic Church, this is not representative.
Until I was nineteen, I wanted to be a priest. Before that time, I both volunteered and worked (as a paid employee) at my local church. Between early grades in school and that age (about when I became and atheist), I got to know several Catholic priests fairly well. They were (mostly) nice men who were (all) committed to living in the way they thought was right. There was never any hint of sexual misconduct.
There have been undeniable instances of clergy abuse, but it is unfair to paint all RCC clergy as abusers. Most are doing their best (as they see it). Of course they are wrong in their view that the world is ruled by a supernatural being, but that doesn’t make them bad people.
There have been undeniable instances of clergy abuse, but it is unfair to paint all RCC clergy as abusers.
I have nothing but nice things to say of the priests who taught me. BUT given the scandal and the coverups , I have a serious problem why few to none of the RCC priests have stood up condemned the Vatican? They mouth the same old platitudes bad things happened, but (insert excuse here). I lost a lot of respect for them at that time. So while the priests may on the majority be sincere , nice people , their silence is a big big issue.
Good point, and one I had not thought of. I was already leaving the church by the time the scandal was heating up in the US, but I don’t remember a single priest mentioning it, let alone condemning it. Catholics that I know seem to have little use for the bishops, but I haven’t heard any rank-and-file priests condemning their bishop for the coverup.
Looking at the recent church closings (and re-openings) in Cleveland, it’s obviously not unheard of for priests to disagree publicly with their bishop. That they haven’t spoken out en-masse against the sex abuse scandal is, as you say, a “big big issue.”
Pretty sure this is a parody, and not supposed to be representative. The RCC does not really have a situation room, do they? If anything, this shows how outrageous the whole idea of having an entire organization committed to child rape would actually be.
Aside from the hypocrisy of priests posing as moral teachers by virtue of their position in the RCC, the real crime has always been the institutional response. Notice how the scandal of Penn State ended at the level in college football that finally took decisive action? If the RCC came down on the individuals perpetrating the abuse, instead of covering things up and enabling them, it would have been a similar story.
It’s obviously over the top humor. I think it does a decent (if profane) job of making the serious point that the RCC cover up is a big deal but it also shows what the RCC would look like were they really as a bad as some of the blanket condemnations made against the RCC.
The main priest I knew as a child was obnoxious for his endless promotion of kielbasa (polish sausage) but was otherwise a really decent guy.
I agree that the RCC as an institution abetted abuse for many years, then covered it up, and is now trying to get out of any responsibility. I won’t for a minute try to defend the church as an institution, or the US Council of Catholic Bishops. I only mean to point out that, in my experience, the “on the ground” troops of the RCC have been sincere people who want to make the world a better place, however misguided they may be. This clip does them a disservice.
Obviously this not representative of the majority of Catholic priests. But maybe if some of that majority stood up and condemned the priests that are doing it, I would give a fuck about their butthurt.
Sorry, but I have to disagree on this one. As much as I dislike the Roman Catholic Church, this is not representative.
Um, it’s not supposed to be representative. It’s a skit, a satirical comedy piece, that’s all.
Yes, the Catholic Church is the target (for good reason), and it’s meant to be offensive, but ask Louis C.K. himself whether it’s “representative” of the entire Catholic Church and of course he would say no. He’s not that dumb.
Not every priest may be guilty, but every bishop and cardinal is. You can’t get promoted to those ranks without having covered up abuse at some point in your career.
:)
11 comments
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frank
January 9, 2013 at 9:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Mano,
Sorry, but I have to disagree on this one. As much as I dislike the Roman Catholic Church, this is not representative.
Until I was nineteen, I wanted to be a priest. Before that time, I both volunteered and worked (as a paid employee) at my local church. Between early grades in school and that age (about when I became and atheist), I got to know several Catholic priests fairly well. They were (mostly) nice men who were (all) committed to living in the way they thought was right. There was never any hint of sexual misconduct.
There have been undeniable instances of clergy abuse, but it is unfair to paint all RCC clergy as abusers. Most are doing their best (as they see it). Of course they are wrong in their view that the world is ruled by a supernatural being, but that doesn’t make them bad people.
For once, Louis CK isn’t funny.
Deepak Shetty
January 10, 2013 at 12:16 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
There have been undeniable instances of clergy abuse, but it is unfair to paint all RCC clergy as abusers.
I have nothing but nice things to say of the priests who taught me. BUT given the scandal and the coverups , I have a serious problem why few to none of the RCC priests have stood up condemned the Vatican? They mouth the same old platitudes bad things happened, but (insert excuse here). I lost a lot of respect for them at that time. So while the priests may on the majority be sincere , nice people , their silence is a big big issue.
frank
January 10, 2013 at 9:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Good point, and one I had not thought of. I was already leaving the church by the time the scandal was heating up in the US, but I don’t remember a single priest mentioning it, let alone condemning it. Catholics that I know seem to have little use for the bishops, but I haven’t heard any rank-and-file priests condemning their bishop for the coverup.
Looking at the recent church closings (and re-openings) in Cleveland, it’s obviously not unheard of for priests to disagree publicly with their bishop. That they haven’t spoken out en-masse against the sex abuse scandal is, as you say, a “big big issue.”
John Kruger
January 10, 2013 at 9:16 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Pretty sure this is a parody, and not supposed to be representative. The RCC does not really have a situation room, do they? If anything, this shows how outrageous the whole idea of having an entire organization committed to child rape would actually be.
Aside from the hypocrisy of priests posing as moral teachers by virtue of their position in the RCC, the real crime has always been the institutional response. Notice how the scandal of Penn State ended at the level in college football that finally took decisive action? If the RCC came down on the individuals perpetrating the abuse, instead of covering things up and enabling them, it would have been a similar story.
baal
January 10, 2013 at 1:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s obviously over the top humor. I think it does a decent (if profane) job of making the serious point that the RCC cover up is a big deal but it also shows what the RCC would look like were they really as a bad as some of the blanket condemnations made against the RCC.
The main priest I knew as a child was obnoxious for his endless promotion of kielbasa (polish sausage) but was otherwise a really decent guy.
Brian M
January 9, 2013 at 9:37 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
frank is somewhat right. All human institutions all provide multiple examples of abuse. The Amish. Hasidic communities. Politicians.
However…one difference is the sheer scale of the institutionalized cover up and abetting of the activity.
frank
January 10, 2013 at 12:03 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Brian,
I agree that the RCC as an institution abetted abuse for many years, then covered it up, and is now trying to get out of any responsibility. I won’t for a minute try to defend the church as an institution, or the US Council of Catholic Bishops. I only mean to point out that, in my experience, the “on the ground” troops of the RCC have been sincere people who want to make the world a better place, however misguided they may be. This clip does them a disservice.
usingreason
January 10, 2013 at 12:20 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Obviously this not representative of the majority of Catholic priests. But maybe if some of that majority stood up and condemned the priests that are doing it, I would give a fuck about their butthurt.
janiceintoronto
January 10, 2013 at 7:13 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Evil bastards. The rot starts right at the top.
tacitus
January 10, 2013 at 11:55 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Um, it’s not supposed to be representative. It’s a skit, a satirical comedy piece, that’s all.
Yes, the Catholic Church is the target (for good reason), and it’s meant to be offensive, but ask Louis C.K. himself whether it’s “representative” of the entire Catholic Church and of course he would say no. He’s not that dumb.
steve84
January 12, 2013 at 9:37 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Not every priest may be guilty, but every bishop and cardinal is. You can’t get promoted to those ranks without having covered up abuse at some point in your career.