The Catholic church seems to be more of a corporation than a faith, with corporate rules and culture superceding right and wrong.

Before the American Civil War, Catholic Bishops adamantly refused to excommunicate slave holding Catholics, allow Catholic clergy to support or hold fellowship with anti-slavery organizations or allow church organs t, in any way, condemn America's favorite perversion,  its perpetrators, or supporters, of any religious persuasion.  These Catholic church policies earned the contempt of Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Theodore Parker and legions of America's abolitionist movement.  The Cardinals and Bishops of these times seem to have learned nothing about turning a blind eye to sundry perversions.  But its not from any lack of willingess to tell the inhabitants of the nation how to live their lives in conformity with Cathoic doctrines of faith and morals.  Blinded by hubris, pride of place, and a direfull poverty of humility. It seems to be a structural problem.  Infallabilty, my foot.

It's not Rome, it's the Vatican.

Never been a fan of the Catholic Church - and it only gets worse.  The "man" who had the "grace" to step down was in charge of Law, Mahoney and the rest.  I just wish I could believe Dante and that Ratzinger would land in the 9th circle - he deserves no less.

After the abuse scandal (and it is still going on) the catholic church should have been closed down and kicked out of town (had they been a private company it might have happened).  However, they have 'brainwashed' millions into giving them power and influence.  In my opinion, this 'old boys' club is evil in as much as they do not believe in what they preach; if they did how could it all have happened.  It is all about power, influence and money. 

All the culprits should be burned at the stake, Middle Ages style. That being said, please support Catholic Charities. It does what Jesus said to do. Catholic Charities helps the poorest of the poor and all immigrants. Catholic Charities doesn't ask what faith a person is or about their immigration status. The money for Catholic Charities is separate from the Bishops' money.

unfortunately a good deal of the catholic church is about money power influence. although i believe individually there are some good an devoted priests, it does make me wonder why one would become a priest. does anyone become a nun anymore? why would they - the nuns always got the short end of the stick. an entire convent had to share one car. priests each have their own buicks or cadillacs, etc. priests also had homes they own down the cape, cohasset, gloucester, etc. nuns own nothing, priests go golfing with powerful rich businessmen. nuns help the poor and the sick. the catholic church needs to get with the times.. many of their rules were made so that the church coulc bring in more money, not for any religious reason (no meat on fridays??? wow big sacrifice for those who love seafood) i may still be a catholic but i take what i want from the faith, and leave the rest behind, like many catholics these days - except my father who thinks everything the church says is absolutely correct and that the sex abuse was made up and that i should be excommunicated

The catholic church never ever helped the poor . Homosexuality and Pedophilia are very different and 2 separate issues . . Pedophiles are  Socially challenged in Maturity ,need to control . Wherea s Homosexuality is a balance between adults with the same view of life , and Mature Adults ;in most cases . 

The pope is facing criminal charges in their banking system ,and sexual abuse ,. See how quickly he got sick ; reminescent of John Paul (who allowed GWB to go to war . ) They are not even aware of the catholics "Unjust War Doctrine :"You can imagine how the majority katholics just go along with the flow .My entire family is catholic ,and they are so far removed from the National and World scene ,it is pathetic . Over 100 of these relatives ,only one seems alert to the Financial schemes that the church uses . allow me one little example ;my 80+ sister works in the rectory of a katholic church ,50 second walk across the street . She tells my 90 + Aunt ,that she should give more to the church because there  are fewer of them going to church . 

I won't give you a profile of her life ,suffice to say no TV program could portray her life without being grossed out . 

The Roman Police stoirmed the Vatican Banks  because of the money laundering .Their ties to BP and Goldman Sachs suspect gangstas ,may be covered up ,but it is a well known fact in the world affairs . 

Dear Madeline ,anyone who believes there is no sexual crisis ,will follow those who practice it toHell ;with the Anti -Christ Rat the zinger , and his pal Neil DE Bush (search that duo on the net . 

Round up the usual suspects all Catholic church haters,The Church has been around for 2k years and I Believe it will be around as the old song goes till the end of time. But thanks for your concern,now where is the Pres these days golfing on my dime,Moocher sking on my dime, could sure use all that cash for the least of our brethern.Remember stones and glass houses Keep the faith. Harryo

This whole episode reminds me of Bogart's great film, The Maltese Falcon.  We should wonder if the former Archbishop of Los Angeles is "blowing town", decamping as it were for a sinecure in the Vatican.  Cardinal Mahony may be in line to join Cardinal Law in overseeing this Roman shrine or that one, well out of the public eye.  Look's like the upcoming papal convocation will provide perfect cover for an escape.   One thing about the Catholic hierarchy, the members surely take care of one another.  What a scandal it would be if one of the princes of the Catholic Church were indicted for conspiracy or obstruction of justice!  

Let's see if the LA cops and prosecutors get their act together this time, i.e. arrest him at LAX before he makes a clean getaway.  As Bogie would say, time for someone to "take the fall".

The Catholic church has a serious homosexuality problem.  What kind of young man would forego sexual contact with women for the rest of his life?  Probably a man who wasn't that interested in the first place.  Nothing will change until the church no longer requires that priests be celibate. 

How disgusting that anyone would think being a pedophile has anything to do with homosexuality. I'm so disgusted with the catholic church

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times

127, you are an idiot.  Pedofelia has no more to do with homosexuality than rape has to do with heterosexuality, it is about POWER, and anger, and abuse.  This is the 21st century, there is a lot of information out there about this.  Read some of it!!

Regarding the priests, it only makes sense to me that pedofiles have been attracted to the priesthood, somewhere that hthey can legitimately not have to interact with adult women. ( This does NOT discount all of the good priests that did have a legitimate calling, and are good priests.) But it is a great hiding place.  So allow priests to marry, and to actively be human, and then healthy, good people OF BOTH GENDERS will be willing to heed the calling to the church.  How simple is this?

I, personally, resigned from the church.  I would never ever support any organization that behaved in this manor.  I agree with the person that says the parishioners are partly to blame.  Mass exodus would put things in the proper perspective.  Forgiveness is not an option for deliberate crimes against innocent children... and I am not talking about the sick ones who assaulted, but the evil ones who protected them and caused many more to be hurt.

Why do we need a Pope? Given the extraordinary circumstances of the Pope's resignation, isn't this a good time to reevaluate the role of Pope. It is an archaic, divisive position that prevents the collegial governing of the Church by the clergy and laity envisioned by the Second Vatican Council.

Incredible1:

Google "female victims of clergy abuse"  and you will find many articles on female victims.

Just one example:

http://www.boston.com/globe/spotlight/abuse/stories4/122702_women.htm

Over half of the 10,000+ members of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) are female, by the way.

Answer: It just does not care.  Why does it do what it does?  Because it can and gets away with it lock stock and barrel   This church has no moral standing anywhere.  It reeks of hypocrisy and lavish wealth that its parishioners cough up to keep it in splendor while its politics destroy those whom it convinced to worship at its altar.

It matters not to me what happens to the church. What DOES matter is that it has NO say whatsoever in the political life of this country.  Not only because it should not in observation of our church state separation but because it surely does not deserve to.  How anyone on planet earth call this hypocrisy a home in which to pray is beyond me.  If there is a God I hope he answers the prayers of the sex abused victims of the pedophile priests' who abused so many to return their battered minds to peace!