I was at a meeting with several priests yesterday and became disheartened by some of the things I heard.  Of course it doesn’t take much to dishearten me as far as the clergy and their total lack of understanding of the complexities of the issue of clergy sexual abuse.  In the case of John Via one of the priests, (hateful?), said he found it hard to believe that his memories of his molestation were suppressed for so long.  You know it really doesn’t matter once the accused confessed that he did indeed molest Mr. Via.

Another thing that this compassionless or I should say selectively compassionate priest had to voice was that he thinks it’s o.k. for members of the laity to say inflammatory, hateful and dare I say slanderous things about the victims.  WHAT?  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  That is not o.k. for anyone to do.

On a more positive note most of the priests at this meeting did seem to want to understand the deeper nuances of the issue.  But like Madonna wrote/sings on her Ray of Light CD, track #9; You’re frozen/when your hearts not open.  There are many people who are frozen and whose hearts  are not open.