I had planned a 2-part post to address IMHO the controversy betwenn Mervyn and Santosh with Fr. Ivo. But I added a part III to addess the issues between Santosh and Narsci. This is to follow tomorrow. I am a slow writer.:=))
As Mervyn posted prior, 4/1000 priests are homosexual. So I guess 996/1000 are heterosexual. IMHO, one is normal human behavior the other a variant (not a sickness). But IMHO sexual orientation of the priests should not be an issue. Being a priest with an oath to be celibate ends Santosh's theories and Mervyn's statistics on sex as far as Catholic priests. I am sure Santosh knows the definition of celibacy. (No offence intended). Priests after their oath of celibacy must control their sexuality what ever that orientation may be - Period, End of Story! So there is no question of sex (consensual or not) and no issue of sex (homo or hetero) or pedophilia in priests within the context of the church. This is just like in the medical profession. Sexual relations (consensual or not) with any age, gender or mental status of patient (including consensual adult relation) means you loose your medical license and magir a lot more. Period - End of story (worse than inquisition.:=)) NO ARGUMENTS about normal or abnormal behavior or genetic make up, need of medical care, love, kindness, charity, treatment etc etc. As in the case of doctors, sexual orientation is irrelevant if there is no predation. If predation is a factor, just based on opportunities, heterosexual priests and doctors are far more dangerous that homosexuals. But again external manifestation of sexuality is moot - It should not exists. Period, End of Story. That is why the priests and nuns command our respect and devotion. Again to state the obvious IMHO, homosexuality and heterosexuality is not a sickness. But Predation by both orientations is a sickness and a criminal offence. And sexual (and mental) harassment does not only apply to men. There are cases where women bosses have also been sued. Only on Goanet are we stuck on effects on kids etc. Here some are trying to argue with themselves. The rest of the world had moved beyond protecting the victims from the less than 0.1% of predator priests. As far as the priests and Bishop are concerned, as in the case of physicians, now it is how do they protect themselves (99.9%) from potential lawsuits, innuendo, false impressions, goanet gossip, temptation and yes victims and being victims. Priests and Doctors have taken an oath to honor and serve whom they care for. Hence they are, and should be held to a higher standard. No explanation needed. If one does not want to be held to a higher standard, get out of the profession. The secret to protect oneself is not to get into that situation to begin with! Rather than after trying to argue innocence, sexual orientation, psyche, behavior, temptation etc. I'd keep two feet away from women. No physical contact, even a caring touch in anybody below age 50. No woman under 50 in the private Rectory! And no visits to homes of a single woman unless it is an emergency. And for Fr. Ivo, the priests have to police priests. Not help them! POLICE THEM!!! Doctors have to attend an annual course on medical malpractice- where they are even remind about good handwriting. The same should apply to priests. And doctors have to report bad doctors to their hospital committees. The theoretical question I have for Fr. Ivo is: If a priest hears a crime committed by a lay person or a priest in a confessional, does the priest have the moral duty to pursue the issue beyond the confessional? Physicians have to under law report a crime (child abuse) if they encounter it in their medical practice. By the same token there should NO ROOM for wild allegations by lay Goans in an era where scuttle-butt is damaging, harmful and hurtful. When we hold people to a higher standard, we have to give them the respect of that expectations. We and especially educated Goans cannot have it both ways. And this applies to Goanet!!! Goans have to loose the habit of writing Bhaji-puri Khobor about priests and religion. I have and continue to strongly urge Goanet administration to take a firm stand on willful wild allegations in posts. This is a must if educated Goans and Goanet are to have any credibility. These posters when requested, do not provide any facts to back-up their accusations nor do they retract their statements with an apology. Just silence is not good enough. Some smart Goans claim they are too busy to write about their allegations on Goanet but not too busy to make them. Is an apology for wild allegations beyond the Goan lexicon? It should apply to all of us. Regards Santosh Helekar wrote: Homosexuality in consenting adults is a well-documented variation of human behavior, which in and of itself does no harm to anybody. Pedophilia, whether heterosexual or homosexual, on the other hand, is a crime. It does enormous amount of damage to our children, and can be regarded, from all points of view, as a grave harm in our society. Do you agree with Fr. Ivo that homosexuality is a sickness which needs to be treated? Or do you agree with the recommendations of the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and other medical, scientific and public welfare organizations that say that it is not a sickness, and it cannot be treated? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Make your mother in Goa happy on Mothers' Day. http://www.goa-world.com/goa/expressions/mothersday/ Limited "Mother's Happiness" packages. First come, first serve. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
