This is Devon --
CRITICISMS of the Catholic church are often one-sided and, in common with your correspondent Richard Lawrie (Your Say June 22) betray a hint of bigotry which I can never understand.
The Catholic church's "history of moralising" has a pretty firm foundation. It was founded by Jesus Christ who conferred authority on Peter as its first head. It follows the teachings of Christ. However, the church is made up of humans who are inclined to fall from grace at times – even Peter himself denied knowledge of Christ on the night preceding the Crucifixion. That in a nutshell is why Christ was crucified and rose again three days later – for the salvation of all of us.
Amongst more than a billion adherents worldwide fault lines will inevitably appear – heresy for example. In recent times the incidence of sexual abuse of children was an appalling and deeply shaming example. Since 1970 0.4% of Catholic priests have been accused and even less have been found guilty. That does not excuse the crime but it places it in perspective. It has been demonstrated that child abuse is more prevalent in schools, youth organisations and families. Thanks to safeguards which the church has put in place a child is now safer in the Catholic church than in any secular institution, a fact highlighted by the historical situation at the BBC.
The church's connection to fascism were unequivocal. They simply opposed fascist policies and to describe Dr Goebbels as "a devout Catholic to the end" would be laughable if it were not so serious. Aside from being Hitler's right-hand man he and his wife Magda murdered their own children before committing suicide. Nazi atrocities in Germany and occupied Europe were monitored by papal representatives and conveyed to Pius XII who condemned the policies and announced them to the world. Under Pius' direction the church is credited with saving over a million Jews from certain death and the fact is recognised by Israel.
I confess that I'm puzzled about "the continued privileged and excessively respected position of the Catholic church today". As far as I am aware, it enjoys no special privileges which are not accorded to other faith groups and indeed its teachings are widely ignored by many in the higher echelons of government on matters like social justice, marriage and abortion to all of which it brings a degree of common sense and humanity which is sadly lacking in contemporary society.
AG WARING
Kingsbridge Reported by This is 22 minutes ago.
CRITICISMS of the Catholic church are often one-sided and, in common with your correspondent Richard Lawrie (Your Say June 22) betray a hint of bigotry which I can never understand.
The Catholic church's "history of moralising" has a pretty firm foundation. It was founded by Jesus Christ who conferred authority on Peter as its first head. It follows the teachings of Christ. However, the church is made up of humans who are inclined to fall from grace at times – even Peter himself denied knowledge of Christ on the night preceding the Crucifixion. That in a nutshell is why Christ was crucified and rose again three days later – for the salvation of all of us.
Amongst more than a billion adherents worldwide fault lines will inevitably appear – heresy for example. In recent times the incidence of sexual abuse of children was an appalling and deeply shaming example. Since 1970 0.4% of Catholic priests have been accused and even less have been found guilty. That does not excuse the crime but it places it in perspective. It has been demonstrated that child abuse is more prevalent in schools, youth organisations and families. Thanks to safeguards which the church has put in place a child is now safer in the Catholic church than in any secular institution, a fact highlighted by the historical situation at the BBC.
The church's connection to fascism were unequivocal. They simply opposed fascist policies and to describe Dr Goebbels as "a devout Catholic to the end" would be laughable if it were not so serious. Aside from being Hitler's right-hand man he and his wife Magda murdered their own children before committing suicide. Nazi atrocities in Germany and occupied Europe were monitored by papal representatives and conveyed to Pius XII who condemned the policies and announced them to the world. Under Pius' direction the church is credited with saving over a million Jews from certain death and the fact is recognised by Israel.
I confess that I'm puzzled about "the continued privileged and excessively respected position of the Catholic church today". As far as I am aware, it enjoys no special privileges which are not accorded to other faith groups and indeed its teachings are widely ignored by many in the higher echelons of government on matters like social justice, marriage and abortion to all of which it brings a degree of common sense and humanity which is sadly lacking in contemporary society.
AG WARING
Kingsbridge Reported by This is 22 minutes ago.