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News & ArtsThursday, May 7, 2009
Religion Padre Oprah
Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, May 7, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Imagine all child rapes that would've been prevented if the Catholic church always moved this quickly when a priest engaged in sexual misconduct.
On Tuesday, photographs in a Spanish-language tabloid showed the 40-year-old priest with deep blue eyes lying shirtless beside, and cuddling with, a dark-haired woman on a North Florida beach. Within hours, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami removed him from his post as pastor of a Miami Beach church, and now all of South Florida seems to be abuzz with discussions of celibacy, celebrity and temptation.
The same church hierarchy that couldn't see a problem when a priest raped a child can clearly see a problem when a priest engages in consensual sexual behavior with another adult—a violation of the vow of celibacy, yes, but not a violation of the law or a child. Christ.
3
Nah, they gave him the boot because he's Hispanic and charismatic. The sex had nothing to do with it.
8
The celibacy and temptation angle is good PR for the Church. A male priest who cavorts with a woman and is then defrocked doesn't freak anyone out, humanizes the fallen priest, and allows the Church to show that they are serious about their rules.
Boy-fucking is a little tougher to spin.
Boy-fucking is a little tougher to spin.
9
See, to me that's odd. I was Catholic most of my life (finally escaped about five years ago to a more progressive denomination). It's pretty widely acknowledged that most priest have someone they turn to to...take care of their physical needs. Generally, as long as that person is female and of age, and as long as it doesn't interfere with the life of the parish, nobody cares.
Then again, this was all before Ratzinger became pope. I've seen a lot of progressive Catholic parishes move far in the other direction since then. Same thing with the colleges.
Then again, this was all before Ratzinger became pope. I've seen a lot of progressive Catholic parishes move far in the other direction since then. Same thing with the colleges.
10
It something unnatural, a man can't be celibate unless his castrated. When the sexual urges arise no matter how dedicated to the lord the man is he will act out on those urge. And Mr Savge is right on point here one can only think of all the child molestations that could've been avoided had the Vatican not adopted such a bizarre practice that not even the High Priests of the Almighty in the Bible observed celibacy. Is the opposite of what the Creator intended for humanity.
11
Pointless nitpick:
Technically, it's a violation of his vow of chastity, not celibacy. Celibacy is not getting married. Chastity is not having sex.
Technically, it's a violation of his vow of chastity, not celibacy. Celibacy is not getting married. Chastity is not having sex.
12
Priests are NOT supposed to look like that...it's distracting.
They're supposed to be old, homely and alcoholic not hot Latino studmuffins.
They're supposed to be old, homely and alcoholic not hot Latino studmuffins.
14
Mandatory celibacy is ridiculous. I feel that once the church gets rid of that, it will finally begin to step into modern times on other issues as well.
15
Priests have been boning their parishioners for centuries. I think his real sin here is appearing in a magazine. Yeah, completely tone deaf.
16
Fnarf's right. Many priests even cohab with lifelong partners. I don't know if they're cracking down as part of the purification process, but they aren't going to let something made public like this slide.
Come to think of it, unless the molesting priests were taking their victims to the beach like this and getting photographed, the church probably would have acted swiftly then. It's all about the dirty little secrets becoming public.
Come to think of it, unless the molesting priests were taking their victims to the beach like this and getting photographed, the church probably would have acted swiftly then. It's all about the dirty little secrets becoming public.
17
A Catholic priest in love is really not a big deal! Didn't Jesus said: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Makes sense to me! My advice to Padre Alberto is "follow you heart" and go work for a Network! lmao!!!!
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