Catholic Churches and the Culture of Corruption

Recently, the Catholic Archbishop of Durban, Wilfrid Fox Napier  said  pedophilia is a psychological "illness, not a criminal condition" to defend his fellow priest(s).The South African cardinal told the BBC that it is the priests who were abused that go on to abuse children in the future. I was really confused when I read that statement,  I really don’t understand how that is going to solve the problem of priest molesting kids. Priests should know better regardless of what may have happened in their past. Their position warrants them as a moral leader, if anything they are going to make those children clinically depressed and “carry on” the culture of pedophilia.

Also, in another similar case, the archdiocese of L.A covered up for the sins of one of the priest in his diocese, Father Mahoney. The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles sneakily covered him up and paid the bill for his “mental treatment” in a church run mental centre. After a few weeks, he was simply allowed to minister again. Just like that.  No formal punishments. No suspension. Just “treatment”  to relieve him of his pedophilic lifestyle.

I hope the new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio ( also known as Pope Francis) does something about all the corruption that has been going on in the Catholic Church, he seems to be very humble and opts for n austere  life- like most priests should!! He also has a lot of strong views on corruption and other controversial issues in the church. Hopefully Pope Francis makes eradicating corruption –amidst other pressing issues of course- one of his priorities.

- Jasmine Mbadugha