As a few if you may have noticed there was recently a post made about world youth day in Australia, which was complaining about Catholic's apparent disruption within some people's day to day life and their possible punishments which may happen if they were to disrupt their day to day lives, while, that's not what this post is about, imagine a bridge if you will, linking this post to that, by a small and somewhat meaningless strand.

Basically, as it happens, the Pope has said he'll apologize to people who have suffered from sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Australia. Mostly because such people were intending to protest against him apparently, so, as to what good apologizing will do, is somewhat beyond me, as is protesting... But, I'm not one to judge.

During his trip to Australia, he's expected to talk about climate change, which apparently must only be done ethically in his mind. Which, I presume is why he's taking a private jet on a 20 hour flight to get there...

Anyway, feel free to comment in any way shape or form, be it throwing a rock at me or actually posting.

If you're offend by anything I said, I hope you do no protest, as then I have to apologize. I don't know what good that's going to do either.

Oh, and source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7503246.stm), because apparently I'm not believable.

Funny how he thinks and apology may be able to help in some small form. If only the children who got abused could be given back their innocence, then the apology would be something to look forward, not just more political bullshit.

Children got abused by Australian priests?
Oh man.

Funny how he thinks and apology may be able to help in some small form. If only the children who got abused could be given back their innocence, then the apology would be something to look forward, not just more political bullshit.

Not that I support the Catholic church or this pope in particular, but I don't see what else he could do. When it's either an apology or nothing, an apology is indeed better than nothing.

Not that I support the Catholic church or this pope in particular, but I don't see what else he could do. When it's either an apology or nothing, an apology is indeed better than nothing.

I believe the fault lies in the timing for the apology.

It's somewhat convenient that he's only apologizing now that people are threatening to protest and not before.

Not that I support the Catholic church or this pope in particular, but I don't see what else he could do. When it's either an apology or nothing, an apology is indeed better than nothing.

I agree. Just like any population of people, there are the bad people. If all the police in the world apologized for all the police that have ever raped anyone, well I mean it would do good but the two have never been affiliated (rape and police) however, because priests are supposed to be the most holy in the community and they've done this terrible sin, that people make such a huge deal about it. Sure it's a huge deal when anyone is raped but atleast he's doing something.

@ Cingal, well it's not exactly the pope's fault. He does want to clear the air but it's not like he raped anyone or told them to rape someone. He does however not feel like the rest of catholics should be punished for their sin and if appologizing is what it takes, then by all means, let the words fly.

@ Cingal, well it's not exactly the pope's fault. He does want to clear the air but it's not like he raped anyone or told them to rape someone. He does however not feel like the rest of catholics should be punished for their sin and if appologizing is what it takes, then by all means, let the words fly.

Understandable, I mean, from what I recall most of these allegations happened before he even became the Pope. However, I can't help but think he's only apologizing because of complaints and if such things had not been brought up then no mention would be made by him.

Australia is that continent in the corner of the world nobody cares about, except for Australians. I doubt he actually cares.

If I were a rape victim, I know that I would feel SO much better about it if some old guy with a really cool hat told me he was sorry it happened. It would be better than Christmas.

is it just me or does the pope have more bitches,jets,groupies than a rap star?

is it just me or does the pope have more bitches,jets,groupies than a rap star?

yep, they should call him popestar

and paint his private jet pink with white letters spelling "Popestar"

and every sunday morning,midday,evening he has a satanic gathering where they drink some guys blood and eat his flesh, but he likes to call those things "drinking wine and eating some cookies"

yep a bussy guy, that pope.

yep, they should call him popestar

and paint his private jet pink with white letters spelling "Popestar"

and every sunday morning,midday,evening he has a satanic gathering where they drink some guys blood and eat his flesh, but he likes to call those things "drinking wine and eating some cookies"

yep a bussy guy, that pope.

That's really offensive.

If you're offend by anything I said, I hope you do no protest,


Yes, i am very offend. So offend in fact i shal no do no protest.

PS: Fission mailed.

And due to the fact im british and dont know much about this subject, ill be off.

That's really offensive.

no it isnt... its the truth :drool:

Yes, i am very offend. So offend in fact i shal no do no protest.

PS: Fission mailed.

And due to the fact im british and dont know much about this subject, ill be off.

Damn it! Now I'm going to get sued.

I'm British too and don't know too much about the whole subject either really. However, I'm allowed to give my opinion to the best of my ability.

yep, they should call him popestar

and paint his private jet pink with white letters spelling "Popestar"

and every sunday morning,midday,evening he has a satanic gathering where they drink some guys blood and eat his flesh, but he likes to call those things "drinking wine and eating some cookies"

yep a bussy guy, that pope.

LOL I love me some Jesus Juice.

wow first off the pope didn't rape anyway and why would people yell at the pope because someone else raped a child. It's not like the pope went out and told them to touch little children. People just need something more to yell at. First off if they can ruin someone why not the pope right? i hate these people. The pope didnt do anything they just want someone in the spotlight to go down.

wow first off the pope didn't rape anyway and why would people yell at the pope because someone else raped a child. It's not like the pope went out and told them to touch little children. People just need something more to yell at. First off if they can ruin someone why not the pope right? i hate these people. The pope didnt do anything they just want someone in the spotlight to go down.

Something had to be done. Peoples lives were ruined by this. Rape is NOT a fun thing to live with. No the Pope didn't do it and had no say in what happened. But if this makes the victims feel better then I don't see the harm. Besides if it was anything like what happened in America the men who commited the crimes may have been moved around allowing them to rape more boys. That in itself requires an apology. Unless you think it's ok for child rapists to be moved around so they can rape more children.

Something had to be done. Peoples lives were ruined by this. Rape is NOT a fun thing to live with. No the Pope didn't do it and had no say in what happened. But if this makes the victims feel better then I don't see the harm. Besides if it was anything like what happened in America the men who commited the crimes may have been moved around allowing them to rape more boys. That in itself requires an apology. Unless you think it's ok for child rapists to be moved around so they can rape more children.

I didn't say it wasn't right for the pope to apologize i just don't see the point in blaming the pope for what he can't control. The pope can do nothing but apologize and by no means is ruining a childs life and innocence by raping him/her acceptable

I didn't say it wasn't right for the pope to apologize i just don't see the point in blaming the pope for what he can't control. The pope can do nothing but apologize and by no means is ruining a childs life and innocence by raping him/her acceptable
It's not so much the Pope as it is the Vatican, I'm sure they knew what was going on when it happened yet instead of getting rid of the men they just moved them to another post. The Pope at the time of these crimes may not have even known. I think the Pope making an apology makes the Vatican at least look like they care even if they don't. It's all about saving face . If it makes people feel better in the process that's fine.

It's not so much the Pope as it is the Vatican, I'm sure they knew what was going on when it happened yet instead of getting rid of the men they just moved them to another post. The Pope at the time of these crimes may not have even known. I think the Pope making an apology makes the Vatican at least look like they care even if they don't. It's all about saving face . If it makes people feel better in the process that's fine.

The vatican knew that children were being raped? I find that hard to be believe... :hmm:

The vatican knew that children were being raped? I find that hard to be believe... :hmm:

They may not have known about all of the but I'm sure they knew about some. Common sense would tell you that if it's going on in one place it' might be going on in another.

They may not have known about all of the but I'm sure they knew about some. Common sense would tell you that if it's going on in one place it' might be going on in another.

I don't i guess its just too hard believe that they would know and not do anything.

They may not have known about all of the but I'm sure they knew about some. Common sense would tell you that if it's going on in one place it' might be going on in another.

Preists get rotated naturally to aid in the spread of God's word or something... You act like they're supposed to stop doing this thing they've been doing for years because of one rape case? Seriously. Just stop.

Preists get rotated naturally to aid in the spread of God's word or something... You act like they're supposed to stop doing this thing they've been doing for years because of one rape case? Seriously. Just stop.


Wow I'd hate for you to be a priest you'd probably tell little billy to stop lying and ignore him. I'm not saying they should stop but if a child said they were raped they should have looked into it and taken the accused priest out of rotation till they figured it out. Besides it was more than one case it's sad no one listens to kids till it's to late. But then I lost faith in humanity long ago.

But then I lost faith in humanity long ago.
A misanthropic mindset is unhealthy. As a doctor, I recommend you don't take it.

For reals, it's nice to see the Catholic Church's head acknowledge something so embarrassing and way uncool as the sex scandals. And all of you people being sarcastic and witty and smurt like "lol id feel grut if i wuz apoligzied after a rape or whatever" you're just being unrealistic. The Pope really can't do anything except say stuff. Most of the rape victims had to face a lot of shit with the Catholic Church, and their image of the Church and the Priesthood is seriously fucked up (har har, PUN INTENDED?), and I think having the Top Dog of the Church apologize is an excellent thing for them.

So how about the public and solemn sorrow you've soothed through solace you've done for the hundreds of Priest rape victims in Australia by utilizing the religious power of the Papacy?

Oh wait!!

They may not have known about all of the but I'm sure they knew about some. Common sense would tell you that if it's going on in one place it' might be going on in another.

im eating macaroni right now, MY FRIEND MUST BE EATING MACARONI!!

that statements blows....

Wow I'd hate for you to be a priest you'd probably tell little billy to stop lying and ignore him. I'm not saying they should stop but if a child said they were raped they should have looked into it and taken the accused priest out of rotation till they figured it out. Besides it was more than one case it's sad no one listens to kids till it's to late. But then I lost faith in humanity long ago.

My sister also tells my mom I dance naked in the living room every Saturday at 5: 00

Realistically, you cant always trust a 5-10 year old kid to tell the truth or no when they lie or not.

It is VERY SAD that they got raped. I would not wish that on any family or kid. The priest that do it are sick. Those priest should be in jail and be ashamed for the fake religious act. I cant begin to understand why they would or what those kids went through, i know it happens, but theres really no way of having hard proof from a 5-10 year old kid telling the story, wont fly to well on a jury. Their very easy to manipulate...

At least with him apologizing(if its a real apology) then its a start, and more will prob be done about it.

Could anyone explain to me how priests rape children. Do their parents let the priests borrow them for a while or do they kidnap the children?


But seriously, I don't get this shit.

The vatican knew that children were being raped? I find that hard to be believe... :hmm:I don't. Vatican has been witness to many many things over the past century, and they're just trying to hide it...

It's actualy not first time the priests of Vatican does things like this...

They should bomb the Vatican.

It's actualy not first time the priests of Vatican does things like this...

They should bomb the Vatican.

That would solve nothing. They should allow priests to get married. Just because they are men of God doesn't mean they have no sex drive. It won't prevent all incidences of rape but I'm sure it would lessen them some.

It's actualy not first time the priests of Vatican does things like this...

They should bomb the Vatican.They should've done it long ago, when they actually could...

I don't see why the pope should be apologizing in the first place... Has he done something wrong? Unless he is somehow party to the crime, then there is no reason why he should apalogize.

Should I go around apologizing if my countrymen, people at my work, or my family commit crimes?

If anything, it's the priests who did it who should step forward, apologize and take responsibility. That the pope has to do it for them, only makes it worse, and only serves to give me an even worse impression of the priests who commit acts like this since theyt don't have the balls to admit what they did and repent whilst parading as people of virtue(hypocrites).

Why are people pissed off at the vatican as a whole, or at the pope, for crimes commited by a few individuals. I very much doubt that a large majority, or even a large minority of vatican priests touch little kids in indecent ways.
I doubt even more that the pope himself has done it, since he's way past impotent time.

Fine, the priests who have done crimes should get a one way ticket to prison, that much anyone can agree upon, but piling crime upon crime, from the beginning of the catholic church and until now, and pushing it upon everyone including those who are decent fucking individuals, is bullshit.

Leaders of an organization generally apologize for the actions of a few of their members since it shows that the organization does not accept such actions, that they are sorry for the victims of those actions, and things like that.

It's not that strange of a concept. It's done all the time.

I don't see why the pope should be apologizing in the first place... Has he done something wrong? Unless he is somehow party to the crime, then there is no reason why he should apalogize.

Should I go around apologizing if my countrymen, people at my work, or my family commit crimes?

If anything, it's the priests who did it who should step forward, apologize and take responsibility. That the pope has to do it for them, only makes it worse, and only serves to give me an even worse impression of the priests who commit acts like this since theyt don't have the balls to admit what they did and repent whilst parading as people of virtue(hypocrites).

Why are people pissed off at the vatican as a whole, or at the pope, for crimes commited by a few individuals. I very much doubt that a large majority, or even a large minority of vatican priests touch little kids in indecent ways.
I doubt even more that the pope himself has done it, since he's way past impotent time.

Fine, the priests who have done crimes should get a one way ticket to prison, that much anyone can agree upon, but piling crime upon crime, from the beginning of the catholic church and until now, and pushing it upon everyone including those who are decent fucking individuals, is bullshit.

It's more about covering their asses than an apology. If it makes people feel better then that's fine. Thing of it is you can't make the priests that committed the crimes confess much less apologize. For some victims the acknowledgment of their suffering through this apology helps the healing process.

People are pissed at the Vatican because they might have been able to do something about it if they had just listened and might have been able to prevent SOME of the incidences from occurring. People say they know nothing of it but I find it hard to believe that they didn't hear something. But as we all know most people don't listen to kids till it's too late by then the damage is done and you may have to go through things like what the Vatican is going through now.

Leaders of an organization generally apologize for the actions of a few of their members since it shows that the organization does not accept such actions, that they are sorry for the victims of those actions, and things like that.

It's not that strange of a concept. It's done all the time.

I know it isn't.
I just think it's a bullshit concept. Of course he should say they don't accept such behavior. There is a difference between feeling sorry for someone, and apologizing to them. He shouldn't be apologizing for it though, since he wasn't the one who did it. If anything, he should force the guilty ones to apologize - if that is impossible, then nothing can be proven in the first place and the reason for an apology is even smaller.

Of course, that's just my opinion. But personally, I don't see how people get off on holding people responsible for actions they had nothing to do with in the first place. It's like hating another country for crimes commited by people that are no longer alive(WWII syndrom).

@Avarwen:

Irrelevant. I'm not arguing the effect of said action, I'm arguing the lack of hold in the said action.
It isn't logical, and it isn't a usefull way of thinking. If I was raped, I wouldn't want someone else to apologize on the behalf of the criminal. As I said, there is a differance between expressing empathy for someone who's been hurt, and apologizing as if you are somehow responsible for the crime in question.

All good if the pope shows empathy. But forcing him to apologize as a meaningless gesture is petty and narrow-minded.

You're also doing alot of assumption on the subject. Just because the vatican says to the public they knew nothing about it, doesn't mean that they didn't know about it, you say. Ok, let's say the knew about it, but didn't tell the public. This doesn't rule out the fact that they might have been trying to prevent it. If they told the public that they were doing an investigation on child molesting priests, that wouldn't exactly be good press now would it? It's no more unatural to assume something like this, than what you are assuming right now.

In the end, all I'm saying is that people need to come out of their hate-boxes and stop putting collective responsiblity on groups/countries/people for the work of a selection of individuals. it's thinking like this that creates religious/political/racial prejudice and persecution in the first place.

He's apologizing for the whole of the Catholic Church. He's not saying "I'm sorry I raped these children", he's saying "I'm sorry that a member of my church did this to those children."

There is a difference. But apologies don't always work. I mean, you can apologize for rape, but does that take away the mental scar and the fear in that woman? No, it doesn't.

He's apologizing for the whole of the Catholic Church. He's not saying "I'm sorry I raped these children", he's saying "I'm sorry that a member of my church did this to those children."

There is a difference. But apologies don't always work. I mean, you can apologize for rape, but does that take away the mental scar and the fear in that woman? No, it doesn't.

And I'm saying why should he apologize for the whole of the catholic church? Did the whole church rape these children? Is it the fault of the catholic church that these children were raped?

Never said that apologies work. I'm just saying that, an apology and an expression of empathy is two different things.
If I say, "I'm sorry those guys raped you", I'm expressing empathy.
If I say, "I would like to apologize on the behalf of the people who raped you" then I'm saying something completely different.
If I say "On the behalf of the Catholic church, I would like to apologize for you being raped", then I am saying that the catholic church is responsible for the rape.

And it isn't. It isn't like the vatican passed a bill, and went all "lets go rape kidz, CP FTW". This is the work of a few twisted individuals, and they should be held accountable for what they did. If we are unable to do that, then doing the "next best thing" and billing the responsibility on someone else is nothing short of petty. Putting it on an entire fucking institution is nothing short of stupid IMO.

Thread title is misleading. If I had my father apologize for my actions when I was young it didn't mean that I was sorry.

Its actually a good thing to apologize rather than do nothing at all. It might not take the pain away but it could lessen it. Besides, as the head of the church, its his duty to do it. What's with all those crap i read in page 2. Blatanly attacking a religion? I find it funny, really. I find it funny how those people say they have "open mind" on things lol

Australia is that continent in the corner of the world nobody cares about, except for Australians. I doubt he actually cares.

FYI the world is round, so there arent really corners...

FYI the world is round, so there arent really corners...I think you understood what he meant, didn't you?

Aussies raped little children?! WHAT?!

Oh wait,that's okay because the man with the cool hat apologized.