"The Case of the Pope" by Juliette Hughes/Sydney Morning Herald

October 9, 2010 - The Sydney Morning Herald

..."Recognition of the Vatican as a state has privileged Roman Catholicism over all other religions but ordinary people have not benefited."

"...The Vatican has exploited its position not only to hamper the UN's contraceptive programs and the use of condoms against AIDS in Africa but also to indulge in money laundering and other activities that subvert the laws of countries where its adherents live. The most egregious of these transgressions has been the Vatican's refusal to respect the anti-paedophile laws of other countries. It developed a culture of concealing crimes and a widespread practice of transferring criminal clerics from place to place to commit more."

"There have been whistleblowers, but they were often ostracised, even excommunicated (as with Mary MacKillop)..."

"...What the current Pope does not seem to get is that no expressions of personal anguish over the abuses committed on his watch can substitute for what is needed: an acknowledgement that he and many bishops covered up crimes — and a commitment to change...."

Juliette Hughes is a practising Catholic.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Two thoughts:
1) Pope Benedict will canonize Mother Mary MacKillop, an excommunicated nun. Perhaps, this pope is offering hope to the many thousands of Catholics who have been excommunicated, including women priests. Excommunication is not a barrier to canonization.

2) We should ask ourselves what other religion would get away with acting like a crime family- transferring criminals from place to place in violation of civil law as this article points out!
It is ironic that Roman Catholic Womenpriests who love the church and are serving the people of God in grassroots in inclusive communities are excommunicated. The Vatican categorizes our ordinations as "crimes"; yet the Pope has not excommunicated the pedophiles nor has he punished the bishops who have kept clergy abusers in ministry or transferred them from place to place . Something is wrong with this picture!