"The Predatory 'Priest' Problem (and Warnings for Protestants)"

Long ago, I was a devout Catholic for about four years.  I then got saved, and became a Christian over FORTY years ago.  As a former Catholic, I have therefore followed the recent news stories about the Predator "Priests" in Pennsylvania with more-than-ordinary interest.

Though none of the "priests" I knew in my Catholic days were predators, and though I was never sexually abused by ANY man, "priest" or not, the news reports have hit home HARD because from ages 16-20 I really, really believed in the Catholic Church and their false road to salvation.

Anyway, here are my thoughts, after two weeks of digesting these terrible news stories.  These warnings are directed towards fellow Protestants.


1.) WE SHOULD NOT THINK ALL "PRIESTS"  ARE PREDATORS NOW, JUST LIKE WE DON'T THINK ALL COPS ARE MURDERERS BECAUSE SOME ABUSE THEIR POSITION.

All of the "priests" I knew (except one, who left the priesthood long ago and got involved in the business world) were decent men and NONE of them has been accused of preying on children in these past 40-plus years (I checked via Google).

Sincere, but DECEIVED men, as regards Catholicism??  Yes, every "priest" is THAT.  Guilty of allowing themselves to be called "priest" when God has not made them that, and "Father" when Jesus, in Scripture, forbids it?? Yes, every "priest" is unfortunately guilty of THAT.  But to now think every "priest" in the "One True Church" is a pervert, committing immoral acts with young boys, etc. is just unfair...as unfair as saying all politicians are crooked, all lawyers are shysters and all cops are racist killers. All priests are NOT guilty of sexual abuse and ALL should not be under suspicion.



2.)  THAT BEING SAID, LET'S NOT BE NAIVE...THIS ABUSE IS NOT LIMITED TO PENNSYLVANIA.  IT WILL COME OUT, EVENTUALLY, THAT ABUSE OF CHILDREN IS TAKING PLACE ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHEREVER CATHOLICISM IS PRACTICED.  And why is that?? Because the Catholic "church," contrary to Scripture, does not allow "priests" or their other leaders to marry...a practice which God's Holy Word the Bible calls a "doctrine of demons" (see 1 Timothy 4: 1-4.)

This forced celibacy leaves "priests" without a normal, GODLY outlet for their sexual desires, and thus they are needlessly vulnerable to the temptation of UNgodly outlets.  This is an explanation, not an excuse for their sin, however.  They should leave the priesthood and get MARRIED (as one of my former "priest" friends did) rather than abuse boys and girls in such a despicable manner! They should read, and heed, where Scripture says "flee temptation" as ALL of us should do. If celibacy is a temptation, they should marry women, not molest boys and girls. Again, to prey on boys and girls is absolutely despicable.



3.) PROTESTANTS, BEWARE....DO BE NOT PROUD AS YOU SEE THIS.  What is being exposed with the Catholics HAS happened in our midst and WILL happen...just not as frequently as with the "priests" because we DO allow our spiritual leaders to marry women. But if we think WE stand because of that, we will fall just like THEY are falling.  "Pride goes before a fall," Scripture warns.

Also, beware of GLOATING.  Scripture warns against rejoicing when our enemy stumbles and without a doubt, Catholicism and Protestantism, when practiced honestly, ARE enemies just like Light and Darkness are enemies.  Let us PRAY for our lost Catholic friends, not GLOAT.  Let's be on the lookout for disenchanted Catholics who are deserting the Catholic church now, and let's welcome them with a humble and non-judgmental spirit. Let's seek to see them SAVED.

Let's not JOKE about these scandals, either.  God says "fools make a mock at sin."

Besides, in the eyes of the world, though we Protestants are generally not guilty of the same abusive patterns as the Catholic "priests" are, the world thinks "we" (Protestants AND Catholics) are all the same, just with a different name.  Blame yourself for that if you are a true Christian who has treated all "good" Catholics  as being Christians over the years (though some Catholics ARE saved in spite of Catholicism).  You should have separated yourself from the errors of Rome LONG ago, but you were afraid to offend people. Now we are all lumped together with what these priests have done, to some extent. ANY religious leader who deals with kids (with the exception of Muslims, they get special treatment because of fear) will be under suspicion now, unfortunately.  Get ready for it.




Some prominent people in the Catholic church are calling for the resignation of this Pope, who has supported the LGBTQ agenda.  That would be a GREAT move to solve the Predatory Priest Problem because, let's face it, old men who sexually abuse boys, whatever else they are, ARE homosexuals and a Pope who supports them should resign.

SEE THIS LINK:  https://www.vox.com/2018/8/28/17787810/catholic-church-pope-francis-resign-politics-vigano-letter-schism