Dear U. G. Barad, I would also like to attempt answering the questions submitted to Fr. Ivo, although I do not have "authentic references." But still. My responses needless to add, come from a laical perspective--and are mine alone. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
U. G. Barad: What are the "sins", whom the "penitence" and "justice" pontiff Benedict XVI refers too? Venantius J Pinto: From what we are aware, those "sins" began with the pedophilia. I presume and understandably too that it would have helped cement observations if the ""penitence" and "justice" pontiff Benedict XVI" had explicitly stated the sins. One (as in I, you, others concerned) never knows since the media does not always spell things out. But on certain volatile issues we tend to revert to what the media (or what we know of it) has said. I am not sure who gave him those two appellations--"penitence" and "justice." Perhaps the media. I doubt whether he took on those names in addition to Benedict #. Moving on: There certainly must be other forms of misconduct of the sexual kind that were indulged in within clergical sexuality--essentially expressed outside of what celibacy entails. So it follows that there would be pederasty too--no? And something that one may not hear of. Abuse is abuse, and we have child abuse, child sexual abuse, as well as possible engagement (usually leading to marriage--a not unhealthy beginning), as also sexual abuse of adults, outside of consent and of course needless to add--celibacy (with its varied meanings). The "movement/motion/notion" that is sexuality takes many forms and partners (abstention, acceptance by all around you (yet, still abstention), the willing partner, the unwilling victim, the oblivious subservient, and the confused thrall) as there are actions and techniques in any given expression, such as in art, craft, etc. But then we also have those who say that the celibate state of being is unnatural. I do not believe so. It is a commitment; and the abuse of children should not be attached to perceived ills of celibacy. Of course one also does not say, "X is celibate but engages in zoophilia, or has ants nibble his nipples." (and so forth) Perhaps there are people who join the priesthood hoping that an environment of spirituality would contain their weaknesses. Strengths?! Perhaps others come with their own strange sense of power and seek privilege, sprouting dissonant, and perhaps even normal forms of sexuality (as in sharing of ones being whether or not coital, and consensual among adults) later in life (in the professed life) on account of say loss, death, being unable to accept a life of obedience, turning vagus (vagrant). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ U. G. Barad: Why are these sex-abuse and cover-up scandals taking place within church? Venantius J Pinto: Power fears. Power hides. Power hopes things go away. Power gives one the apparent right to embrace, as also the desire for submission or participation. Perhaps all this is to simple on my part to say.. Perhaps the perpetrators are the ones who managed to evade screening procedures, or perhaps there were fewer strictures in certain groups of any consequence. But really! At the end of the day, one must also know where ones children are, and why. The same with others of significance--all withing reason. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ U. G. Barad: Are such things taking place in church only because church's clergy need not have to say "I'm sorry" after committing scandal? Venantius J Pinto: There is tremendous movement as well as a strange innocence in this question. Perhaps you must be talking of some definitive "I am sorry," but I believe thew have been many such apologies. But truly do you think that would help one abused., Unless one is in a position to accept it, and continue with ones life. Strange stuff is it not, what an apology ultimately means--leave alone apologetics. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ U. G. Barad: Or creating such scandals are also birthright offered after becoming Christian clergy? Venantius J Pinto: Perhaps the word is not birthright, unless ones parents have offered the child to the priesthood (lets just say to the priestly class) at birth. Now if you mean: Is it the Right of the Clergy to indulge in Sexual Abuse--then suffice it to say that that can never be the case/should not be a Right, but things happens because they are allowed to happen for a myriad of reasons. A horribly simple example would be--one is someone in power, and so wants to use it to sleep with one or more of his staff. Besides, there are Christians who know a lot about the concern expressed in your question above, and have mulled a lot ob those matters, but may not be given to putting out their thoughts--as to why all that has happened happened/ is happening/ happen. But one can also come up with ones own conclusions and share them. I believe thoughts are like "ki" (life force). We can only tackle so many issues or comprehend so many in one lifetime before out "ki" runs out. I apply the above ecumenically--to all Christians. Please note that ecumenical here pertains strictly to the Christian Body--the whole Christian church; and does not attempt nor suggest any parallel with any scandal whatsoever anywhere in time and space. (Basically, no extrapolation). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ U. G. Barad: :)- Venantius J Pinto: At the end of the day we are all blessed/Blessed or cursed (we do this to ourselves more often than being cursed by others) as to the thoughts which intrude upon our minds. This also applies to how Catholic/Christians choose to see and understand things and issues of integrity. BUT, no one has to feel compelled to say anything on such layered matters, and neither must we expect responses--although I am often more than candid. Anyway, did my best here, and happy about it. Back to work now. Feel free to share. venantius j pinto Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:25:08 +0530 > From: "U. G. Barad" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: [Goanet] All Religions for Human Integral Development > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > (DEL) > In this context, it would be fine to have Fr. Ivo's straight forward > clarifications (with citation of authentic references as he always does in > his point-wise explanations) on: What are the "sins", whom the "penitence" > and "justice" pontiff Benedict XVI refers too? Why are these sex-abuse and > cover-up scandals taking place within church? Are such things taking place > in church only because church's clergy need not have to say "I'm sorry" > after committing scandal? Or creating such scandals are also birthright > offered after becoming Christian clergy? :)- > > Best regards, > > U. G. Barad > * * * IS YOURS one of the stories of Goans on board the S.S. 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