Reply #2: I can imagine what those young girls went through to be believed. [View All]

[Sal Minella]

My mother was furious at the "lies" I was "making up" when I finally tried to describe what our pediatrician was doing to (pre-adolescent) me during "physical exams."

Mother responded, "Don't you EVER say anything like that again!" and remained darkly furious for hours, and that was the end of it.

And that man was only a doctor, not a man sanctified by holy vows, dedicated to tending the spiritual needs of the tender members of his flock.

Years later the doctor was convicted of sexually abusing children (this was in the 'fifties) and actually served time in jail. (I happened to find the story in the newspaper decades later.)

I've read about Catholic fathers beating little boys with belts for "lying" about what the priest was doing to them.

And meanwhile the Holy Father is all excited about the beatification of his predecessor.