Pope Gives Mercy to Abusive Priests

Pope Francis is under fire again after reports surfaced that he is getting lenient with pederast priests. According to several media outlets, the pope has reduced punished for pedophile priests in an attempt to impose his idea of mercy on them.  Survivors of sexual abuse and the pope's own advisers are questioning his views, according to the reports.

One priest named Mauro Inzoli had received clemency from the pope, but was convicted by an Italian court. He abused children as young as twelve.  The pope sentenced him to a life of prayer, took away his faculties and ordered him to stay away from children and get psychotherapy for five years.  However, an Italian court sentence him to four years in prison.

Pope Francis seems to want to keep priests convicted of sex abuse within control of the Church by not defrocking them. By not defrocking them, the Church will have control of these men as opposed to letting them out into society where no one is monitoring them.  There is much division on the topic, even among Catholics.   On one hand, people seek justice against priests who abused minors.  However, on the other hand, the Catholic Church has an obligation to preach and put the practice mercy.  The solution is not easy. How do we balance mercy with justice?  What do you think?



Source:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pope-quietly-trims-sanctions-for-paedophile-priests/article17369196.ece

http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/26/pope-francis-reversed-decisions-to-kick-paedophiles-out-of-the-priesthood-6473481/

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/pope-quietly-trims-sanctions-sex-abusers-seeking-mercy-45732198