Catholics in Notts outraged as East Midlands MEP describes the Church as 'systematically paedophile'
AN EAST Midlands Euro MP has angered Catholics in Notts after describing the Catholic Church as "systematically paedophile".
Tory Member of the European Parliament Roger Helmer made the comments following Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to Britain.
In his blog Mr Helmer wrote: "It would not be fair to describe the Church as 'institutionally paedophile'.
"So far as I know it has no rules or systems designed to support or promote paedophilia. But I think it would be perfectly fair to describe it as systemically paedophile."
Bissell's 8910E Aroma Pro is the ultimate in home cleaning giving you a machine that provides outstanding results when not just cleaning carpets but stairs and upholstery too.
Terms: Limited Stock Offer . FREE Delivery to most UK postcodes.
Contact: 01664 491439
Valid until: Tuesday, May 28 2013
He also said the cause of the Church's problems is the vow of celibacy which priests take.
He said: "If you take healthy young men and deny them a natural outlet for their natural instincts, then many of them will seek unnatural outlets. "Priestly celibacy is meant to focus the priest's mind on God's work, but all too often it seems to focus his mind on altar boys."
Catholics in Notts have criticised his comments.
David Paton, 44, from The Holy Spirit in West Bridgford, said: "It concerns me that he is making a statement about celibacy being the route of the problem when there is absolutely no basis to that.
"Abuse happens in all quarters of society. Just one case in the Catholic Church is one too many but there is no evidence that priests are involved in more cases of abuse than other members of society."
Teresa Schmitz, 42, from St Barnabas Cathedral in Derby Road, said: "Paedophiles are mentally ill and there are scientific or psychological reasons for that illness.
"To suggest it stems from celibacy is ludicrous."
Defending his blog Mr Helmer said: "This is my opinion and if people don't agree with it that's fine."
Comments
by Roger helmer MEP, Market Harborough
Friday, September 24 2010, 3:33PM
“David Paton says celibacy is not the issue. Interesting, then, that two senior Belgian Bishops have said that it is, and called for the celibacy rule to be changed, following a new report showing that child abuse has taken place in every parish in the country.”
by Steve, Notts
Tuesday, September 21 2010, 9:39PM
“The fact of the matter is Catholic priests are more likely to indulge in paedophilia than representatives of other religions. The reason for this is open to speculation. Maybe priestly paedophilia is no more prevalent than in the general population but if an organisation sets itself up as a beacon of propriety and its leaders then indulge in paedophilia it¿s going to get a lot more stick than say prisoners in a nonce¿s jail on rule 43. I for one would not want to be associated with any such organization and am surprised its follows haven¿t deserted in there droves. It just goes to show what a hold these cults have on there followers. If children in America get drawn into cults they have to be removed from the problem and there brains re programmed, the same should be done for followers of some of the major religious thought systems around today many of who were indoctrinated by there parents or religious schools at a very young age and before there brains were properly developed.”
by Frankie Wilson, Nottingham
Tuesday, September 21 2010, 7:29PM
“Now let's see Roger Helmer give us his views about the Islamic faith ... or is he too cowardly to risk a fatwa? What he should have said is that the percentage of paedophiles in the Catholic Church is no higher than among the public at large, but that the Church sets itself higher targets. So the solution is greater supervision of ALL religious and other activities that involve the vulnerable or cash. The reason I'm outraged at Helmer's comments is that there are so many decent Catholic priests who devote their lives to helping others -- Helmer should have reminded us that the vast majority of priests are very decent people. But there is no question that paedophiles and anyone who exploits the vulnerable is tried and if guilty, openly punished. The names of those found guilty should be published for all to see. But that includes Anglicans, Orthodox monks and bishops (who are also celibate), imams, Hindu priests, Jewish rabbis, and anyone else who may have caused harm. These acts should never be dealt internally. But fair's fair, let's not dismiss the good works by the many because of the evil deeds of the very few.”
by Sneintonite, Sneinton
Tuesday, September 21 2010, 1:47PM
“Cor this is a first!
I never thought I would see the day when I agreed with something Roger Helmer says!
I'm not surprised that the two catholics are in the article arguing a case. The catholic church has a history of denial (slave trade, supporting the nazi's, sex scandals, unwanted pregnancies and the spread of aids)
You might argue that some of this is long dead history and we should move on, but unless the church changes then it is still pretty much a present day problem!
The pope should be arrested for crimes against humanity!”
by Dave, Nottingham
Tuesday, September 21 2010, 12:32PM
“However disgusting the paedophilia is, what's more disgusting is the way the Catholic church closes ranks to protect the perpetrators.”
by John Dale, Arnold
Tuesday, September 21 2010, 12:28PM
“Much as Mr Helmer comes across as a fairly odious specimen, he is a lot closer to the truth than your two Catholic apologists - who incidentally need to buy me a new irony-meter having blown my old one by claiming that he is making "ludicrous" claims with "absolutely no basis". Maybe a little reflection would be good for them - unless they're preparing for a career in comedy.”