rationalskepticism.org

monkeyboy wrote:

theidiot wrote:

cursuswalker wrote:This will not succeed of course.

But the point is to make the authorities feel uncomfortable, as it will show up the hypocrisy of religious special pleading.

Or the whole spectacle reveals itself as an idiotic publicity stunt by a pathetic popular atheist. Anyone who believes that the pope did something illegal is trapped in a delusional world far from the actual facts. I doubt any court would take such allegations seriously, and nothing will come of this, other than Dawkins getting some more media attention, and atheist solidifying their position as the least liked group in America.

So are you suggesting that the Pope didn't in fact conspire to cover up child abuse? That he din't sign this letter,

Most Excellent Bishop

Having received your letter of September 13 of this year, regarding the matter of the removal from all priestly burdens pertaining to Rev Stephen Miller Kiesle in your diocese, it is my duty to share with you the following:

This court, although it regards the arguments presented in favour of removal in this case to be of grave significance, nevertheless deems it necessary to consider the good of the Universal Church together with that of the petitioner, and it is also unable to make light of the detriment that granting the dispensation can provoke with the community of Christ's faithful, particularly regarding the young age of the petitioner.

It is necessary for this Congregation to submit incidents of this sort to very careful consideration, which necessitates a longer period of time.

In the meantime your Excellency must not fail to provide the petitioner with as much paternal care as possible and in addition to explain to same the rationale of this court, which is accustomed to proceed keeping the common good especially before its eyes.

Let me take this occasion to convey sentiments of the highest regard always to you.

Your most Reverend Excellency

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

It would appear that the facts support the allegation that the Pope full well knew about child abuse cases and didn't just do fuck all, he actually took the time to give the reputation of the church consideration. He actually considered the cost to the church over the damage and harm to the victims of abuse, conspiring with others to subvert information rather than report it to the police. It makes me extremely billious to think anyone can remotely defend this morally repugnant individual and anyone else whose first reaction on being presented with a victim of child abuse wasn't to call the police.