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Does Beatification of John Paul II Hurt Abuse Victims and Their Families?
Can this man really be called a saint? He's almost one step away.
Pope John Paul II is being fast-tracked to sainthood but that doesn’t sit well with all Catholics. Though John Paul II is still the face of the Roman Catholic Church, even six years after his death, he is also the face of the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church and cost them billions.
So though beatification of John Paul II is set for tomorrow in Rome, and hundreds of thousands have gathered to watch in person (millions will on TV), this next-to-last step to sainthood is causing pain for thousands of others.
Not everyone thinks he’s saint material.
Victims of — and advocates for — the church sex abuse scandals handed out leaflets outside churches in dozens of cities protesting the beatification of John Paul II. These outspoken critics want the church to reconsider sainthood for a man they say shuffled priests off to other churches and turned a blind eye to accusations of abuse. They’re also urging Catholics to turn the accused abusers over to police.
But for all his critics, there are thousands more who are more than enthusiastic about seeing their beloved Pope sainted.
The thing is, John Paul’s sainthood is happening at a faster pace than usual. And once he is sainted, it can’t be undone. For those who were hurt by a church who, while not condoning these egregious and illegal acts, protected the men who perpetrated them, I can imagine tomorrow’s beatification ceremonies would be a painful reminder.
Even historians aren’t convinced.
Catholics out there, what do you think of Pope John Paul II. Do you blame him for the church sex scandals? Now that so much has come to light, do you think your kids are safe in the church? Is John Paul II deserving of sainthood?
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3 Comments
Mary commented on Apr 30 11 at 7:18 pmJohn Paul is not to blame for the sex abuse scandal. First, the perpetrator is to blame. Second, the family bears responsibility for pieces of this – not blame but responsibility. Third, parishoners or school officials who saw signs hold some responsibilities. Fourth, the bishops. To blame JP II in Rome is to blame Obama for FBI mistakes or judges who rule wrongly. He is so far removed from the events – what is his exact responsibilty? If it is because he did not show good judgement in choosing certain bishops – he also should good judgement in others. If he is guilty because he is a symbol of Vatican law and power – we need to think about how our one society and laws are just as vulnerable. If people think there was a conspiracy – I think they might have to ask the question – what about the bishops who did turn in the creeps? People blame the current pope because of a case in Germany – yet when the German report came out – it was mixed. He accepted a pedophile priest from another diocese for treatment yet there is a record he got rid of one in his own diocese. Might the big picture be very complicated. As a practicing social worker – your children are safer in church than they are at home or school. But if you want to blame someone for the larger problem – please do as we don’t really have the ability to stop it do we – only prosecute after the offense.
Sharyn commented on Apr 30 11 at 10:55 pmI’m not Catholic and it doesn’t sit well with me either.
Rosana commented on May 02 11 at 10:26 amNo, I do not think that kids are safer in church. People fail to understand that the clergy are regular people and can commit crimes like any other. Just because they vow to serve the church and its people, does not mean that there is a gurantee that they will follow through.
As the head of the Catholic church, John Paul II failed to address the criminals immediately but he did not order those priests to abuse those children. Blaming him for the abuses commited is like blaming the parents as well. They were suppose to protect those children, but both failed.
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