Why is the Roman Catholic Church allowed any credibility after their history of sexual abuse?

[Dawson Leery]

These Bishops and Cardinals knew what was going on and hid the abuses of their church.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/19/world/europe/19vatican.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/18/vatican-irish-bishops-child-abuse

edit: Joe Paterno was fired for not reporting a single case of child sexual abuse to the police. The church was involved in a worldwide systematic cover up.

[russspeakeasy]

1. Because they are "too big to fail".

[msongs]

2. or after their history for the past 2000 years really nt

[Dawson Leery]

3. True.

[zipplewrath]

8. Indulgences, crusades, anti-popes, the spanish inquisition

The latest scandal hardly reached any sort of new "low". The Catholic church has repeatedly behaved in ways that are practically impossible to imagine, much less defend.

[white_wolf]

4. They are extremely wealthy and powerful.

They are the largest single religious institution on the planet, they are the oldest Church in the world. They have shaped much of Western history. I don't agree with them at all, but I understand where their power comes from.

[Tumbulu]

7. Yes, they could be considered what remains of the Roman Empire as

they took over all the assets of the Roman Empire when that Empire fell.

[madrchsod]

5. because they are a "church" and not...

the longest running criminal organization in history......

[Skittles]

6. they tolerated the Holocaust too

I have no clue why ANYONE would believe in them - mass propaganda, pass down through the centuries I guess

[JoePhilly]

9. LA LA LA LA LA ... I CAN"T HEAR YOU!!!!!

[surfdog]

10. The only reason they have credibility

Is because Catholics give them credibility

Catholics will still go to church will still donate to the church will still treat the pope and the bishops with respect and treat them as equals which is absurd

The people give them respect

[workinclasszero]

11. No kidding the bastards covered up hundreds of child molesters

and their filthy crimes for decades and now they are going to act like they have some kind of moral authority???

[vankuria]

12. My thoughts exactly

I wish the Bishops had gotten this angry and outspoken about pedofile priests, just think of all the poor kids that could've been saved from abuse. Instead they looked the other way and damaged so many lives, yet if a woman uses contraceptives she's commiting a mortal sin? The Catholic church can have no moral authority given the sins of not just the last several years but for centuries.

[louslobbs]

13. Money and Power. n/t..........Oh, and they have God on their side.

Lou

[ladjf]

14. Because the human race is too dumb to handle important issues wisely. nt

[Louisiana1976]

15. K&R

[WCGreen]

16. Because the Religion is much more than just the religious heiarchy.

[Dawson Leery]

17. kick

[RainDog]

19. k&r n/t

[pokerfan]

20. Fear

God is pretty much the ultimate panopticon.

In the Bullshit Department, a businessman can't hold a candle to a clergyman. 'Cause I gotta tell you the truth, folks. When it comes to bullshit, big-time, major league bullshit, you have to stand in awe of the all-time champion of false promises and exaggerated claims: religion. No contest. No contest. Religion. Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told.

Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man -- living in the sky -- who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time!

But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Now, you talk about a good bullshit story. Holy Shit!

[Zanzoobar]

21. Do you feel powerless?