SARAH PARNASS / THE EAGLE
LIFE OF PROTEST — Every day, rain or shine, John Wojnowski stands in front of the Vatican embassy, holding a banner that accuses the Vatican of hiding pedophiles. For the past 12 years, Wojnowski has shared his views with anyone willing to listen. He claims he was molested by an Italian priest in 1958 at age 15.
“What is important is the stupidity of the church, the malevolence.”
That is the message of a 67-year-old man who stands outside the Nunciature of the Holy See — or the Vatican Embassy — near the Naval Observatory on Massachuesetts Avenue, nearly every day.
Whether in the rain under his stocky black umbrella or in the warm rays of the D.C. sun, John Wojnowski has stood on that street corner for the past 12 years. Each day after 4:30 p.m., he attaches one end of his white banner to a signpost and holds up the other end. Once unfurled, the banner’s red letters shout Wojnowski’s mantra, “VATICAN HIDES PEDOPHILES,” accompanied by the URL for his Web site, http://www.vaticanhidespedophiles.com.
Though Wojnowski appears soft-spoken in-person and claims extreme shyness once prevented him from ever speaking to women, his Web site presents a harsher picture.
“This impudent degeneracy [the Catholic Church], that has the gall to threaten, shame, ridicule and insult the long suffering crippled victims of its ignorance, MUST BE EXPOSED,” it reads.
Some might say his words are harsh, but the story he said is behind them could, perhaps, explain Wojnowski’s roughness.
It is a real human story, filled with many emotions and memories. It is Wojnowski’s story, as he told it.
In a small village in the mountains of Italy in 1958, the town’s pastor invited a 15-year-old boy to the church to work on his Latin studies.
Wojnowski described himself then as an impish boy with an intellectual curiosity that has followed him throughout his life.
The boy and his pious older brother went to the village church. When the priest saw that the boy had not come alone, Wojnowski said the priest separated the brothers, leaving the elder in a room with an assignment and taking Wojnowski into a private chamber.
In that room, the priest allegedly laid a hand on Wojnowski’s knee and convinced him to expose himself. Wojnowski said that the priest then sexually assaulted him.
“The reason I’m doing this is because I was molested myself,” Wojnowski said.
After that, Wojnowski said he only remembered finding himself on the ground in front of the church, stricken.
The abuse caused something to change inside him, both psychologically and physiologically, Wojnowski said. He became withdrawn and depressed, he said. Even his height was stunted by the trauma, Wojnowski said. Yet, for nearly 40 years, Wojnowski said he did not fully remember the event.
“I was so traumatized, so shocked that it was like literally being hit by lightning,” Wojnowski said. “Immediately, I blocked it out, repressed the memory.”
What Wojnowski said triggered his memory years later when he was living alone in the United States was news coverage of the scandal in the church that broke out in 1997.
In the world of psychology, it is still debated whether such phenomenon is possible. One study of college women by Michelle Epstien and Bette Bottoms of the University of Chicago and La Rabida Children’s Hospital found that victims of childhood sexual abuse forgot their incidents more completely than those who experienced other trauma. A study combining the work of academics from the State University of New York, Emory University and the University of California, however, purported that all “recovered memories” could be explained by flawed treatment programs and an individual’s inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Yet Wojnowski was reluctant to focus on the recovery of his memory.
“You understand, we are fighting the [Catholic] Church,” Wojnowski said.
In August 1997, Wojnowski contacted a priest about the abuse he allegedly remembered. He said he was referred to counseling for which the church would pay, but he received no other reparations.
Wojnowski pursued the matter further, even writing to the Nunciature, he said. After his letters and phone calls were ignored, Wojnowski took up his post where he stood this Halloween, on the street corner in front of the Vatican Embassy.
Though his words are strong and his opinions divisive, Wojnowski has developed a following over the years. Originally, Wojnowski said passer-by met his message with shouts of “loser.” Now people honk or wave congenially as they drive by, showing their support for the man and his banner.
“It’s true,” Wojnowski said of his sign. “If it was not true it would be a lie, slander, defamation, libel. Right? And the Vatican would do something [legal] about it.”
Wojnowski alleges that rather than engage in a legal battle with him or acknowledge his accusations, the Vatican has sent young priests as agents in a scheme to force him off of his street corner. The first such confrontation occurred when a priest who did not reveal his name approached the protestor and gave him four reasons why he should give up his battle, according to Wojnowski.
“1. The molestation happened in Italy,” Wojnowski’s Web site reads. “In Italy, there is a statute of limitations so I was out of luck. 2. The molestation could have been my own fault. 3. To protest would be bad for me because I will be crushed by the ridicule and by the shame. 4. U.S. law is too harsh on pedophiles and should (or will) be changed.”
Wojnowski also said the Archbishop Sambi — the Papal ambassador to the United States — had personally insulted him in Italian. Wojnowski had videotaped the ambassador walking by, but the audio was unclear.
Sambi could not be reached to either refute or confirm Wojnowski’s accusations. Others at the Vatican Embassy refused to offer any information about Wojnowski, even so much as when he usually shows up each day.
AU Catholic Chaplain Father David Mott said he receives occasional inquiries about Wojnowski but never knew much about him until he looked online.
“[Wojnowski]’s not a big deal,” Mott said.
Mott also said he had recently received new information about Wojnowski.
“He’s paid,” Mott said with a smile, though he would not say by whom or where his information had come from.
Wojnowski predicted this reaction; he said the Vatican thinks he is being paid by the Jews.
You can reach this staff writer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
40 Comments
Snarky
Nov 2 at 1:07 AM
I’m sorry, but how does this effect AU? Is this the most important thing that we have to cover?
Anonymous
Nov 2 at 1:22 AM
“Wojnowski predicted this reaction; he said the Vatican thinks he is being paid by the Jews.”
...Very appropriate prose, Eagle writers. Were this a direct quote, it would be completely appropriate to refer to those subscribing to the Jewish faith as, “the Jews”. Such is not the case in this article, though, and instead you come off sounding like an ignorant fool.
CAS Student
Nov 2 at 1:37 AM
Wait the Catholic Church has pedophiles?
Geez, cmon Eagle staff, please tell us something new. The Catholic Church is a haven for pedophiles, child molesters, rapists, NAMBLA members, closeted homos and ex-Nazis. It is a unique club of societal outcasts embraced by society under the shroud of divinity.
I hope John Wojnowski has learned his lesson. It must have been difficult for him to recover since the priest banged Catholic ideology into him the hard way.
Find peace and happiness through your work, John Wojnowski.
O.J. Simpson
Nov 2 at 1:42 AM
Tons of AU students live near his protest spot, walk/jog past him, and see him from the bus during their commutes home from internships. It’s a solid human interest story about a person many of us in the AU community are familiar with. Lighten up, Snarky.
snarky
Nov 2 at 1:47 AM
Ok, so if they were to profile a neo-nazi who calls the people of the jewish faith something wrong that should be front page Eagle news?
Fr. David Mott, OP
Nov 2 at 1:56 AM
I believe that I have been seriously misrepresented by this author. I told the student reporter that information should be sought from the sources and not from me, since all I knew of this man and this case is what I have seen online and I could not say off-hand where what I had read some time ago came from. Each year, someone comes to me from the Eagle seeking to make some issue of this and get some hair-raising quote. I claim no new information or inside source. As I said, I can only encourage going to the real sources. What I have heard, I have found online like anyone else, so I claim no expert or informed knowledge of this man’s situation or case. Again, please go to the sources, and not just in search of a quote. I do not find sexual abuses of or by anyone to be acceptable or humorous.
Karl
Nov 2 at 9:01 AM
John Wojnowski and Kent Slowinski have something in common. They’re both obsessed! Slowinski’s rant is Spring Valley and the Army Corps. He has made several attempts this year to scare students about the safety of our campus. He needs to stop behaving like everyday is Halloween. Boo, boo, boo!
Allen Hengst
Nov 2 at 9:55 AM
Sgt. Karl is irresponsibly equating Wojnowski’s obsession with Slowinski’s expose of Army Corps misfeasance. Please see ... http://www.WMDinDC.blogspot.com
Sarah Parnass
Nov 2 at 10:27 AM
A note from the author:
I wrote the last sentence intending to capture the irony with which it was related to me. I believe Mr. Wojnowski found it rather improbable that one religious group would pay off a protestor, as if the two faiths were politicians, vying for a constituency.
Anonymous is right, though, that I should have considered my word choice more deeply. I did not intend to offend anyone of the Jewish community; half of my family is Jewish, and I would no sooner demean one of you than one of them. I apologize for any hurt my words may have caused.
I appreciate your honest feedback.
Sincerely,
Sarah Parnass
Karl
Nov 2 at 2:38 PM
Obsession/expose in this case has the same meaning. Your lack of objectivity is clear. Your name is all over the blogspot. Boo, boo, boo!
Allen Hengst
Nov 2 at 3:03 PM
Okay, then let’s check out Sgt. Karl’s web site ...
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/projects/WashingtonDC/springvalley.htm
Responding to Sarah
Nov 2 at 3:36 PM
Sarah-
The problem is that you didn’t do your job. When someone says “the jews did it” this should tell you THAT THIS PERSON IS CRAZY. Crazy people need medication, not front page coverage in the Eagle.
Also, this guy is creepy. Molesters tend to have better taste.
Kent Slowinski
Nov 2 at 5:09 PM
The AUES/Spring Valley munitions tours are educational events, not scare tactics.
For background information please visit: http://www.cpeo.org/pubs/SpringValleydiseases.pdf
Cat
Nov 2 at 6:42 PM
I think that all the self-righteous pricks at this school who want to rant anonymously on theeagleonline.com are detracting from the original intent of this article. We all see Mr. Wojnowski outside protesting for something he believes in. He was also a victim of abuse by a spiritual leader. The Catholic Church has done very little to bring to light the actions of [albeit a very small portion] their priests. I think the debate over this article should be in regards to the Church’s inaction rather than try to make the author out to be an anti-Semite or criticizing her for writing something you don’t deem worthy of the oh-so-prestigious Eagle front page.
Also, “snarky”, what? “Ok, so if they were to profile a neo-nazi who calls the people of the jewish faith something wrong that should be front page Eagle news?”
No?? This is about a scandal that has plagued the Catholic Church for years and is only NOW coming to people’s attention. Just stop.
Cat, Please
Nov 3 at 1:25 AM
Cat, this isn’t 1980. People have known that a very minor, small group of priests abused children. This isn’t anything new.
The Church has done so much for the poor victims. The Holy Father even visited with them when he came to grace our shores.
CAS Student
Nov 3 at 2:07 PM
Cat, Please,
The Catholic Church has tried to suppress information about the molestation of young boys by priests for decades. The Supreme Court has just refused to stop the release of Church papers.
See:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/nyregion/03diocese.html
While I understand the Holy Father has met with some victims, his record on human rights issues has been horrible. The Holy Father, the ex-Nazi, has removed the excommunication of Holocaust deniers and condemned the use of condoms in Africa.
Why would the Holy Father want to hide Church papers regarding the molestation of young boys. After all, isn’t the church against homosexual acts? If the Church condemned and removed homosexual priests,then it would be a valid continuation of the homophobic Church policies. Instead the Church hides homosexual child molesters AND condemns homosexuality. I’m sorry but the Church can’t be condemning homosexuality while raping boys up the butt. I applaud John Wojnowski for his work. The Church needs to understand that by condemning homosexuality, it only serves to subjugate its gay faithful into a life of solitude and continued lies. Homosexuality does not make child molesters. Yet, priests molest young boys because it is a sure way to keep their sexual orientation secret.
I would not consider the visit of a homophobic, anti-science, ex-Nazi to be gracing our shores.
CAS Student
Nov 3 at 2:13 PM
I also have a question for all the Catholics out there. Does the term “father” have anything to do with the down low homosexual tendencies of Catholics?
Is the term “father” interchangeable with the term “daddy”. So instead of “Father John Smith, could it become “Daddy John Smith” during a biblical sex molestation session?
I should visit the Vatican Embassy and ask them to seek clarification from the Holy Daddy in Rome.
amanda
Nov 3 at 3:43 PM
As a Catholic do I agree with Mr. Wojnowski detracting from the peace that the Church brings so many people in this city? HECK NO! Personally I think he’s a bit crazy for standing out there in the heat and snow. but… maybe that’s perception works to his advantage that his unfortunate experience made him a little crazy!
But at the same time he has become part of the scenery as i drive down Mass. Ave Though I don’t agree with the issue he has decided to take on, I certainly admire his perseverance.
Learn to read
Nov 3 at 8:05 PM
@Responding To Sarah: Mr. Wojnowski doesn’t say that “the Jews” did anything. He says that he expects that the Vatican assumes that the Jews are paying him to protest.
I don’t see a problem with saying “the Jews.” The Christians, the Muslims, the Hindus, and the atheists all agree with me.
Recycle
Nov 4 at 11:29 AM
This news is significantly irrelevant. You’re better off writing about feet. Yes, feet.
snarky
Nov 4 at 11:56 AM
CAS student:
What’s your problem? You seem to have a lot of hang ups.
The unfortunate scandal has come and gone and the Church has fixed these errors. All is right with this world.
Alex Fenaughty
Nov 4 at 1:25 PM
CAS student:
Your comments have become somewhat ridiculous.
The term “father” simply means like a leader, which is part of a priest’s job; to lead his church to God.
To suggest anything but is offensive, not only to me as a Catholic, but to all religious leaders.
“I also have a question for all the Catholics out there. Does the term “father” have anything to do with the down low homosexual tendencies of Catholics?” Down low homosexual tendencies of Catholics? That is simply ridiculous! Suggesting that molestation is part of Catholic culture (social or otherwise) is simply disgusting. I suggest that you talk to either someone in the Catholic Community (Father David, or any member of our E-board)to try and talk through some of your concerns and accusations. Who knows, maybe you will learn something valuable!
I can only guess your intentions were to draw some sort of attention to yourself, but I mean c’mon, no one is that bigoted and close-minded as to suggest that a certain term is being applied to every priest just to cover up the actions of a small few.
snarky
Nov 4 at 3:01 PM
Alex-
Don’t confuse CAS student with facts, her two brain cells probably couldn’t handle it.
Learn to read
Nov 4 at 5:11 PM
To the last three commenters:
LOL.
This news story is completely relevant. The point of news is to tell stories about the community. Mr. Wojnowski is a part of our community. Many AU students, faculty, and staff have seen him on Massachusetts Avenue, but few have talked to him, visited his site, etc. Now we all know who Mr. Wojnowski is, and we’ve all been forced to think about the issue that he cares about.
The idea that the Catholic church has “fixed these errors” (which is an incredibly insensitive way to talk about child molestation) is ludicrous. The problem within the Catholic church is ongoing, and the Vatican continues to protect and re-shuffle priests who break the law.
My concern with this issue is that Catholics are taking all the heat. Child molestation is a problem in all religions. Rabbis molest children, ministers molest children, etc. It wouldn’t be such a huge deal if religious groups apologized and admitted that they were only humans. However, they refuse to do that. Religions claim to hold the keys to morality and clean living, so when children are molested by religious leaders, they deserve all criticism that comes their way.
Bring back Latin!
Nov 4 at 5:38 PM
The Catholic church has cracked down on gays serving as priests, this is going to reduce child molestation 110%
CAS Student
Nov 4 at 10:22 PM
Alex and Snarky,
I applaud both of you for taking a strong stand in support of the Catholic Church. It certainly is understandable since presumably both of you are Catholics. However, I believe both of you are victims of religion.
The Church has taken action against homosexual priests in light of strong public criticism. However, I agree with “Learn to Read” that the Church has just reshuffled homosexual priests accused of rape and molestation. Mind you that homosexual acts are strictly by your Holy Father. I find it ironic that Catholics can condemn homosexuality while allowing homosexual pedophiles. I strongly support homosexual civil rights to the fullest extent possible but I believe that the Church is full of hypocrisy. Either support homosexuality and tolerate homosexuality or actively remove homosexual priests. Please do not allow closeted homosexual priests to serve as gay bashers. Where is the love that Jesus talked about?
My disdain for the Church doesn’t end with Catholic homosexual child molester priests. The Church, in my opinion, is worst than even the KKK and the Nazis. The Nazis and KKK were openly hateful and intolerant. The Church on the other hand spouts love and tolerance, yet tolerates hate against homosexuals and Jews. I mean cmon, if you people want to hate homosexuals and Jews, that is your right, but at least do it openly. Don’t hide your hateful rhetoric behind the presumed words of your Lord Jesus. You people have a right to hate and discriminate because of the First Amendment. Just don’t insert divinity and your hateful word of God into your rhetoric.
The Church, in my opinion, has killed more people over the course of history than the Holocaust. At least some of the perpetrators of the Holocaust were punished. Before you protect your religion, please do not follow religion blindly. Remember, your Holy Father is an ex-Nazi. Then again, the Church has never been support of Jews and Homosexuals so I guess being an ex-Nazi is a plus on the papal resume.
In summary, learn to tolerate homosexuality or follow your doctrine blindly. Don’t hate against homosexuals while tolerating homosexuals in your ranks. Get rid of your child molester pedophile priests, at the very least.
Thanks
CAS Student
Nov 4 at 10:39 PM
Alex,
I would to add that you are not alone in blindly following the Holy Father and religion. For example, Hitler was a great orator who managed brainwash ordinary Germans to shoot thousands of innocent people. Please don’t follow victim to the same kind of brainwashing. Think for yourself Alex. Religion is not the word of God.
Do you recall learning about the Crusades? I bet the Church considers the Crusades to be a lovely time to spread the loving word of Lord Jesus. However, the love your religion spread during the Crusades was the color red, as in the blood of Muslims. No wonder Muslims hates the West after all the brutal things your religion has done to them.
The Church has more problems than just pedophilia. In fact, I think pedophilia has been the least hurtful way the Church has hurt people. I mean getting butt raped isn’t as bad as getting killed right?
This is not an attempt to attract attention to myself, as you allege Alex. If there were child molesters and religious terrorists in your midst, would you not want someone to warn you? Religion needs checks and balances.
- Just a thought.
CAS get some medicine
Nov 4 at 10:47 PM
CAS-
You need to get help, quickly.
God says “Love one another as I have loved you” and that’s exactly what the Catholic, the Methodist and all Churches do.
Really, get some help.
CAS Student
Nov 4 at 10:58 PM
To the previous commenter, thanks for your suggestion. I would like to remind you of the First Amendment and protected political speech. I presume you know at least these basic freedoms. I am merely stating my personal opinions, just as you have the right to state your opinion.
The First Amendment protects your right to hate, so please support it. Please don’t tell me what God tells you. The word of God is the same words coming out of your pastor’s mouth. Don’t presume whatever your pastor says is true. You are in college, think for yourself.
CAS get some medicine
Nov 4 at 11:12 PM
CAS-
You’re in college get a fucking clue. The Eagle is not a public institution, your first amendment rights don’t exist within it. That being said, I respect your right to have an opinion, even if it’s delusional and you need some therapy.
Alex Fenaughty
Nov 4 at 11:34 PM
CAS student:
your comparison of the Catholic church to the KKK is once again, insulting. Yes the Pope was a member of the Hitler Youth, but it was forced upon him at the risk of his life. The Catholic Churh does not hate Jews, are you insane!? Nearly all of our traditions come from Judaism!!
One more thing. I may have read this wrong, but did you compare the Pope, the leader of my faith, the person that I look to for spiritual guidance to Hitler? Why? What goal do you have other than to be hurtful and cruel.
Please, don’t bash something you won’t take the time and energy to understand. I have offered to talk with you or put you in contact with our Chaplain, but you refuse. Please be kind and just be quiet.
CAS Student
Nov 4 at 11:39 PM
LOL,if you are trying to claim that The Eagle is a private institution, you are clearly mistaken. The newspaper is run by AU which is a private institution, therefore the First Amendment does not apply. Before you pull out your book from Intro to Law 101, please understand this difference.
That said, if you read my previous post with the same fervor as you read your Bible, then you will see that no where in my post did I mention this newspaper or AU. I would not mind if this newspaper censors this discussion. It would be a violation of the values of academic freedom at this private institution.
I was writing in context of the story, and the right to exercise the First Amendment like John Wojnowski. Posting on the Eagle has the potential to reach like a minimal amount of people compared to the activism shown by Wojnowski. Now college newspapers have been known to censor controversial topics, but I give credit to this newspaper from not censoring controversial topics.
Speaking of delusional, do you remember the religious fanatic who killed Dr. George Till, the abortion provider a few months ago? He believed he was doing the work of God. Isn’t he one of your brothers in arms in the abortion debate? I hope you don’t think I am delusional because I brought up an opinion that questions your religious sentiment. See this as an opportunity to exercise the same tolerance as your Lord Jesus has allegedly preached.
CAS Student
Nov 4 at 11:48 PM
Alex,
Ok, let me clarify, I was not intending to be hurtful or cruel to you. I’m sure you are a great person at heart.
I went to a Catholic school for a couple of years, so I am familiar with Catholic doctrine. You are right that your religion comes from Judaism. However, for centuries, the Church has held that the Jews were responsible for killing Jesus. As a result Jews have been condemned and attacked by Church faithful.
The only reason why I am so critical of the Catholic Church is the fact that I see the Church as oppressing other people. The rights of homosexuals, are subjugated by the Church, despite evidence of homosexuality within the Church. It is ironic to condemn homosexuality outside the Church while allowing gay molesters to serve inside the Church.
Some Catholics such as yourself, probably do not fit the mold of hateful Catholics. Again, my intention was not to hurtful towards you. Please try to understand, that while you may see your religion as loving, some people may not agree with you. I would like to support the Catholic Church when the Church supports equality for homosexuals, Jews, Muslims and advocates for reproductive rights. My feeling is that day will never come since the Church now is becoming more conservative.
CAS student crazy
Nov 4 at 11:50 PM
AU Doesn’t run the eagle, it’s 100% independent. They have their own advertising and they have their own board.
The context of this conversation was NOT whether this nut job has the right to say silly things about The Church, it’s whether the Eagle should have had it on the front page story.
They shouldn’t.
CAS Student
Nov 4 at 11:57 PM
Ok, so thanks for the clarification. Either way I don’t think the First Amendment would apply to the newspaper. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
The context of the conversations may have started of about whether the Eagle should have it on the first page, but conversations can shift. This story is even more relevant than the front page story of the cashier at the Eagle’s Nest. Speaking of nut jobs, just look to the religious right today to see more nuts than a pecan tree.
Learn to read
Nov 5 at 12:11 AM
^^^ I agree. The front page story should have been “AU students support free speech as long as it is from moderates and won’t offend anyone”
Alex, so what if you’re offended? HTFU.
Does it bother anyone else that the Vatican gets its own Embassy-type building near Joe Biden’s house? Think about it for a second. No other religion on Earth has an equivalent to the Vatican. Orthodox Christians have their version of the pope, but he doesn’t have his own country, his own golden palace, or his own embassy in the US. Why are we giving this guy such respect? It’s not like he’s done anything to earn it, unless you count perpetuating AIDS an achievement.
CAS Crazy
Nov 5 at 12:11 AM
Sonia has a direct positive impact on my life. This nut job is picking on a poor institution that only tries to do good things for others.
CAS Student
Nov 5 at 1:18 AM
Thanks Learn to Read, I agree with you completely.
The Catholic Church has done more to harm society than the Nazis. I am not comparing the pope to Hitler. I believe the Catholic institution has done more to harm the world than Hitler. Yes, I am saying that the Church is worst than Hitler brutally killing six million plus Jews. My rationale for this assertion is that Hitler represented open hatred and evil. It was possible to fight against the Nazi regime because it was so openly hateful and evil. The Catholic Church on the other hand is comparable to an assassin that pretends to promote love but breeds hate. Catholic doctrine was responsible for the Crusades, worsening the AIDS crisis, breeding hate against homosexuals and hiding child molesters from the punishment.
Learn to Read, please don’t be so modest with the achievements of the Church. The Church has done much more than perpetuate the AIDS crisis (JUST SAY NO TO CONDOMS, YOU SINFUL HERETICS - HOLY FATHER). In fact, the Church has shown Catholic love to homosexuals (DAMN THE SICK PERVERTED, HOMOSEXUAL ABOMINATIONS, BUT BLESS OUR GROPING MAN-BOY PRIESTS - HOLY FATHER), and rightfully banned premarital sex (PREMARITAL SEX IS A SIN, SPECIAL EXCLUSIONS FOR PALIN’S PREGNANT TEEN DAUGHTER APPLY - HOLY FATHER). The Church’s heavenly achievements are too numerous to list.
I mean if you base the success of the Crusades by severed Muslim heads, that number probably ranges in the thousands if not more. Add in the millions lost to AIDS because of the Pope condemning condems, Catholics achieve a lot. So in total, the Church has been far more successful in killing people than the Nazis. Hitler killed lots of people, but damn, the Church is many times better. Imagine if the pope and Hitler were in bed during the Holocaust, how many people would have died? Wait, sorry the pope was in bed with Hitler during the Holocaust - Concordat of 1933. So essential, I think the Church is almost as responsible for the Holocaust as Hitler. Yet, the Holy Father today, was a Nazi. Imagine that. The Church makes the actions of the KKK seem insignificant.
I agree with Learn to Read, that all religions have cases of child molestation. However, the Church is very anti-homosexual. I support having homosexual priests practice in the Church. Either support homosexuality, or follow your Church doctrine to the letter. Get rid of homosexual priests! Don’t condemn homosexuality outside the Church, and allow homosexuals to serve in the Church.
I’m not picking on a “poor institution”. As Learn to Read stated, the Church is given unheard of privileges compared to its lack of action. I am calling on the Church to reform. The Church is a powerful entity, that can be a force for good. Yet, the pope and Church leaders for only used it to hate. Please reform, I truly want to support the Church.
CAS Student
Nov 5 at 1:23 AM
*condemns condoms - typo
Anon
Nov 5 at 1:15 PM
What does HTFU mean?
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