Sexual abuse in the Church:

Tribulation Times

May 19, 2011 

(Mat 18:4-7) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.

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COMMENTARY: Sexual abuse in the Church written by Michael D. O'Brien (author and abuse victim)

HEADLINE: Vatican tells bishops to root out sex abuse

The Vatican told bishops around the world on Monday that they must make it a global priority to root out sexual abuse of children by priests.

The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church told bishops in a letter that they should cooperate with civil authorities to end the abuse that has tarnished its image around the world.

“This is telling the world that we mean business.  We want to be an example of prevention and care,” said one Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The letter is intended to help every diocese draw up its own tough guidelines, based on a global approach but in line with local criminal law.  These must be sent to the Vatican for review within a year.

“The responsibility for dealing with delicts (crimes) of sexual abuse of minors by clerics belongs in the first place to the diocesan bishop,” the letter says.

It incorporates sweeping revisions made last year to the Church’s laws on sexual abuse, which doubled a statute of limitations for disciplinary action against priests and extended the use of fast-track procedures to defrock them.

The Vatican has for years been struggling to control the damage that sexual abuse scandals in the United States and several European countries, including Pope Benedict’s native Germany, have done to the Church’s image.
 
BREAKING: Latest Priest Sex Abuse Case Hits Archdiocese Of Powerful Cardinal, Close Advisor To Pope Benedict XVI

REPORT: Study blames culture of era for church's abuse crisis

MORE: Memphis Diocese responds to priest abuse study

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 28- "On holy and blessed prayer"

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23. If we are not alone at the time of prayer, then let us imprint within ourselves the character of one who prays.  But if the ministers of praise are not with us, we may make even our outward attitude conform to a state of prayer.  For in the case of the imperfect, the mind often conforms to the body.

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This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.

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