Should ordained members of the clergy (priest, Fernandes ravelle minister or rabbi) be periodically audited and evaluated by a nondenominational committee to determine whether or not they are still psychologically and morally dependable and competent enough to guide their flocks during times of stress and uncertainty?
The Catholic Church these days has admittedly had more than its share of errant priests who have allegedly strayed from its religious teachings and engaged in some form of sexual abuse involving children.
Some ordained members of the Anglican church have also reportedly engaged in questionable acts of misconduct unbefitting an individual charged with the moral guidance and spiritual well being of its parishioners.
In the continuing battle of papal infallibility versus moral righteousness the Catholic Church has managed to adequately cover up those questionable acts of ordained members of their religious community who have been adjudged to be less than perfect.
Delinquent priests in the past have traditionally been reassigned to different parishes in the hopes that their questionable behaviour will correct itself without the public and the new parishioners discovering the true reason for the reassignment.
A recent poll indicated 46 percent of respondents felt the Church to be a tight knit organization with a vested interest to protect its own membership and thus not readily disposed to reveal any acts of wrongdoing by its members no matter how well documented the evidence.
Apparently a well trained cadre of religiously indoctrinated priests and bishops are at the ready to provide damage control should an incident of wrongdoing be reported.
Fifteen percent of those polled felt that the child abuse issue was a matter that affected the Catholic Church only and did not affect the rank and file of their own religious denomination.
Another 15 percent on the respondents believed that any evaluators appointed by their own religious group to investigate alleged acts of moral misconduct would present an impartial and unbiased assessment of the situation.
A whopping 54 percent of these polled believed that those members of the clergy proven guilty of moral misconduct involving child sexual abuse should not only be defrocked but also placed on a list of potential child abusers and distributed to any area which the guilty priest may decide to eventually reside.
The traditional approach of relocating a member of the clergy deemed guilty of any sexual wrongdoing should be abandoned and the public should have the right to know why their most recent religious leader was sent to their church to guide them.
Protecting the reputation of a church or synagogue is important. Protecting young children from the unsolicited advances of sexual predators is more important.
The author, a former community newspaper reporter/photographer/editor, has recently retired and frequently submits articles to a number of online websites. Nibbled News, the name of his online website, offers readers the opportunity to read articles which will entertain them, cause them to think a bit more about the world about them, and enjoy a refreshing pause in their busy day. The website, located at , welcomes questions and feedback from readers. Drop by. Relax. Enjoy. Feel free to browse the articles. You will be glad you did.
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