The Sad and Revolting Saga of Abuse of Authority Continues in Organized Religion

Organized Religion Has Done It Again:

Still More Cases of Habitual Assault

by Rev. Paul J. Bern

Check out my author page (Christian nonfiction) at https://www.amazon.com/author/revpauljbern

As my longtime readers know by now, I am well known for preaching the Word, offering Biblical instruction to those who accept it, and standing up against war and injustice. I have found still another example of injustice in the form of extreme corruption that can be, most unfortunately, found within the vestiges of organized religion. Plus, this is still another example of why I have become a critic of organized religion in general, and those who abuse the kids of their church members, or their wives. Allow me to quote a small portion of a much larger article from the Associated Press, followed by a Bible verse or two.

Report details 'staggering' church sex abuse in Maryland

LEA SKENE, BRIAN WITTE and SARAH BRUMFIELD (c) 2023

BALTIMORE (AP) — More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability, according to a long-awaited state report released Wednesday that revealed the scope of abuse spanning 80 years and accused church leaders of decades of cover-ups.

The report paints a damning picture of the archdiocese, which is the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in the country and spans much of Maryland. Some parishes, schools and congregations had more than one abuser at the same time….

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office released the findings of their yearslong investigation during Holy Week — considered the most sacred time of year in Christianity ahead of Easter Sunday — and said the number of victims is likely far higher. The report was redacted to protect confidential grand jury materials, meaning the identities of some accused clergy were removed.

ABUSE RECALLED AS A ‘LIFE SENTENCE’

“The staggering pervasiveness of the abuse itself underscores the culpability of the Church hierarchy,” the report said. “The sheer number of abusers and victims, the depravity of the abusers’ conduct, and the frequency with which known abusers were given the opportunity to continue preying upon children are astonishing.”

Disclosure of the redacted findings marks a significant development in an ongoing legal battle over their release and adds to growing evidence from parishes across the country as numerous similar revelations have rocked the Catholic Church in recent years. Victims said the report was a long-overdue public reckoning with shameful accusations the church has been facing for decades……” (read the entire article from this link )

Two Scriptural Quotes From the New Testament

What does the Bible teach us about sexual immorality? You don’t have to look very far to find answers. “Ephesians 5:3 says, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” First Thessalonians chapter 4, verse 3 reads, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality….”

As you just read,”not even a hint” means exactly what it says. “Impurity”, as the verse says, is a by-product of sexual immorality. So is “greed”, since sexually immoral people have insatiable sexual appetites. They are always wanting more and more, and so on. All these things are “improper for God’s holy people”. Evidently the guys with those little red caps at the Vatican forgot to read those verses. In point of fact, since the Catholic church doesn’t teach about the overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit, it’s no wonder they cannot discern demonic activity. As a result, they make themselves vulnerable to Satanic attacks of all kinds. It’s no wonder they can’t resist abusing young boys.

Losing Our Religion

It is for reasons such as this that so many people have lost faith in organized religion. Between the internal abuse that goes on in some churches and worn-out exhortations to ‘tithe’ 10% of your income, it’s no wonder people are leaving in droves. Religion, Inc. has a serious credibility problem of their own making. Jesus Christ said about those people who are like them, “Beware of those who come to you. They are like wolves in sheep’s clothing, seeking someone they can devour”. You have surely met them before, and undoubtedly you will cross paths with you again. More and more people are flocking to virtual churches, where there is no dress code or creed, no chance of catching COVID, no internal politics, no political ideology, and no demands for 10% of your income. You can find out more on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/revpauljbern .

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