Diocese knew priest arrested for child sex crimes was abusing boys, authorities say

[trotsky]

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/05/erie_priest_charged_with_child.html

A Catholic priest who up until just two months ago was in active ministry in the Diocese of Erie has been charged with multiple child sex crimes.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Tuesday announced felony charges against Father David Poulson, 64, of Oil City, saying he sexually assaulted two boys over the course of many years.

Poulson groomed and abused the boys, "manipulating the tools of the priesthood-- making one victim confess the abuse during the sacrament of confession," according to the information released by the attorney general's office.

...Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Tuesday said the Erie Diocese had known of predatory priest David Paulson since 2010. Poulson, who had been a priest in the Erie diocese for four decades until earlier this year, was arrested this morning and charged with indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors. Three of the counts against Poulson are felonies.

The abuse is horrific enough, but the coverup is beyond the pale.

[SHRED]

1. Try and imagine any club who had this many leaders doing this

That club would be disbanded.

Throw in God/Religion however and it continues.

Go figure.

[Major Nikon]

4. Then imagine a club who does this with millions of apologists

Some of which you don't have to go far to find.

Then you start to understand why that club won't be disbanded.

[MineralMan]

2. That this is still going on and still being covered up says

much about the RCC's lack of commitment to ending such abuses. The church hierarchy gives lip service to putting a stop to it, but it continues, that notwithstanding.

Recently, the Pope announce that he was going to scold some South Americans in leadership over this, but not so long ago, he also made a statement condemning victims for speaking out.

The entire hierarchical system of the RCC is hopelessly corrupt when it comes to child sexual abuse.

And yet, they persist.

Note to Il Papa: Jesus did not say, "Suffer, little children!"

[Major Nikon]

3. Don't forget he also said whistleblower nuns were terrorists

https://www.thedailybeast.com/pope-francis-gossiping-nuns-are-like-terrorists

[MineralMan]

5. I won't forget. The misogyny of the RCC patriarchal hierarchy is

noxious and persistent. It is yet another thing that deserves strong criticism. As a remnant of ancient history, it mars the organization, and gives the lie to its claims of caring.

The Roman Catholic Church's time has passed, I believe. It has not adapted to social change, nor do I believe it can. It has become more and more irrelevant over the past 100 years.

Strong criticism of it is warranted.