General Chat

didnt Jesus say come unto me little children


the church should be a place of safety for a child :-(
sadly this is not always the case :-(

anybody no matter what job they do
who abuses children or anybody else should be hung out to dry :-( :-( :-(

I'm keen to have a go at any organisation that systematically covers up child abuse.

What incenses people, I think, is that the churches, of all institutions should be the ones to cherish and care for children. Not only are children abused by those who should care for them but then the church tries to sweep it under the carpet.

Bad enough when it's a secular organisation but most of us expect better of the churches.

Cynthia, I am not a churchgoer but I do agree with you about the bias towards Christians that is quite often shown on this board and I do think Ann's comment is uncalled for.

Hi Chris.....it isn't a matter of being quick to take offence. It's a culmination of the recent antagonism towards ALL priests on here which upsets me.

As soon as there is something derogatory towards the church in the newspapers.....up goes a new thread.


I wouldn't care, but there seem to be very few churchgoers on here who are willing to stand up and be counted, so why are folk who are non church goers so keen to 'have a go'???

Cynthia, do not be so quick to take offence. I am sure that there are many other icebergs yet to be discovered, it only took one to sink the Titanic.

Re the Pope, I just feel that he is an old sick man who is weary and feels he cannot cope any longer with the politics of the church. They need to elect younger Popes.

Sorry Joy. I hope you read my post on the other thread. In view of that, I find Ann's comment very upsetting.


Several former music teachers from the predigious Chethams School of Music in Manchester have been accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' with pupils - does that mean ALL music teachers 'are at it;? No, of course it doesn't. But there's bound to be more than just them........maybe there's a musical inappropriate iceberg lurking somewhere.

It is not big news. He had already presented his resignation / retirement last year, due to be effective next month; it has just been brought forward. His statement can be read http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21575931

well Cynthia its not like he will be the first

so yes i can see Anns coment been relevant :-( :-(

Yes indeed. Here we go again.

Ann I would be really grateful if you could either edit or delete your post which states that 'they're all at it'.


If you read my latest post on the Christian thread, you will see why I find your comment distasteful and upsetting.


Whatever anyone's views may be, please do not tar everyone with the same brush.

Thank you.

if he has done what he is accused of he should be jailed

I thought he was due to retire shortly anyway.

They are claiming the accusations have been made now so he could not take part in the vote for the new Pope.

In the statement Cardinal Keith O'Brien released he makes no mention of the allegations against him, he says:-

"Approaching the age of seventy-five and at times in indifferent health, I tendered my resignation as Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh to Pope Benedict XVI some months ago"

His Statement:-

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/215327-cardinal-keith-obrien-resignation-statement-in-full/

I wonder how many other resignations we'll see in the coming weeks.
Don't buy the ill health story. Never did.

The Catholic Church aren't known for doing things differently or being particularly progressive as a rule....so the resignation of a pope for the first time in 600 years won't have been without something pretty damning behind it. imho.

AnnCardiff - I agree with you,

I was never really convinced that the reason for the Pope's retirement was ill health as it is unheard of for a modern Pope to retire.

At the time he announced his retirement there was much talk of a secret dossier that was locked away in the Pope's safe and this news today is, as you say, only the tip of the iceberg, and that iceberg is what I think was the real reason he retired.

I wonder if we will ever see the rest of the iceberg?

Sky News - Britain's Top Cardinal Keith O'Brien Resigns