the pope may have been a naughty boy.

[billy]

By the same rule the church shouldn't be allowed to protect them or stand in the way of any investigation.

Those are some very frightening stories right there. Again it reinforces to me that the problem is that they have an ingrained culture of corruption and cruelty (behind closed doors, of course).

Wouldn't it have been better if they just hired prostitutes or something, rather than diddle and traumatize children. Geez

at a push i'd say many already hire brass. and many are banging their parishioners. at least if they're married it's like they have someone to keep an eye on them. not totally safe of course but i think a few of those sick bastards would be discouraged.

that said, i do know an odd couple of good priests. but i think they're the exception rather than the rule.