Unedifying papal comments are most upsetting

The sex abuse crisis within the Catholic Church comes as a terrible shock to many people.

People feel upset, let down, surprised.

Those who have been in dispute with the church will feel in some ways vindicated with all the current breaking news.

It is not a problem of secularisiation nor is it the creation of the chattering classes. Nor is it in any way linked to the Vatican Council. It is greatly upsetting to hear the pope making those references. It is also surprising and most unedifying.

The reality is an unspeakable reality of crimes and cover ups. The cover-ups were possible because those covering up were in powerful positions.

Has it all something to do with a belief that church ministers genuinely believe that they have a direct link with God? When priests and bishops say they will 'reflect' on something and then take action, does that mean they are in a direct link-up with God?

But it also must be said that the Irish people allowed the church to behave as it did/does.

It is interesting to note that for over 40 years there has been a growing alienation/anger among people towards the institutional church. Why was that? Was that simply the common sense of people, who were objecting to a behaviour they saw as unacceptable?

Young men studying for priesthood are told there is an escathological value in celibacy and that celibacy gives priests more time for work.

From 40 years of experience I can prove categorically that the second reason is factually inaccurate/untrue. And who can say a word of sense about the escathological merits?