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Aleister
Forgiveness in this case is divided between the abused children forgiving their abuser, the institution of the Catholic church forgiving the priests as an institutional matter, and the relatives and friends forgiving the priest(s) in question. Is Francis saying he forgives them personally, or is this an institutional "ruling"? The abused children should all, if possible, have the opportunity when they are adults to talk to the abuser for as long as they need to come to at least some kind of communicated resolution.
chrismarco
reply to post by rickynews
Much like other mental illnesses I strongly believe there is a wiring issue gone wrong with someone who molests children. Call it evil or whatever you want but there has to be something else going on in their head that makes someone attracted to an infant or young child.
Riffrafter
Answer
rickynews
reply to post by 168617
I sincerely believe (and certainly expect) that this Pope Francis means what he says, and these men will face harsh consequences, as they should.
It'll be swept under the rug and we won't hear anything more about it. Nothing will happen to the molesters because the Catholic church has been covering for them for so long and continues to claim it's not widespread.
I think Francis may surprise you.
And in more ways than you think...