The Shield of Religion

http://www.examiner.com/x-10853-Portland-Humanist-Examiner~y2010m3d31-Religion-Pope-claims-legal-immunity-Vatican-Bishops-defend-coverup

Is there anyone who would deny that the Pope is using religion as a shield to protect him from allegations of complicity in covering up the rape of children? If so, they need to get their head checked.

“Pope claims legal immunity; Vatican, Bishops, defend cover-up. The never ending tragedy of the sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy and the cover-up of that abuse by top Church officials continues to dominate the headlines.

In Kentucky, Vatican lawyers argue that 1) the Pope should not be compelled to testify in a lawsuit because he is a head of state, and 2) that American bishops who oversaw abusive priests were not employees of the Vatican. While the first claim may be true, the second is patently false. There is no question that US Bishops report and answer to the Vatican. To argue otherwise is sophistry.

And the sophistry is the problem. The Vatican, and Pope Benedict XVI, are ducking their responsibility for promoting a worldwide culture of cover-up and secrecy that only served to perpetuate and further the sexual abuse of countless children. Abuse that continues to this day.”

If such crimes were committed by a secular institution there would be no cover. A theocratic state is giving protection to the child raping priests.

“While a cardinal at the Vatican, Joseph Ratzinger, now the pope, wrote a 2001 letter instructing bishops worldwide to report all cases of abuse to his office and keep church investigations secret under threat of excommunication.

The letter is the smoking gun; the Pope is a criminal.”

If a CEO of a company or a government official was to take similar action we’d demand that he/she be thrown on the street for a public beating before being tossed in jail and left to rot. Now is the time to stand up and demand action against the Pope.