The Catholic reform group’s and the Pissing Poodle’s suggestions last week that the resignation of a bishop [will] somehow improve the situation is ludicrous. [1/31/13, Letters, “Bishop Should Resign,” and Angry Poodle, “Lying Dogs,”]. Contrary to the evidence, they imply that child molestation is something out of the ordinary in Roman religious practice. The bishop, the retired cardinal, and all the evil priests they sheltered over decades would be expelled from any legitimate church. That none were defrocked or excommunicated indicates that their behavior is acceptable to their pontiff. Their deity may forgive them, but that is its business and not ours. Castration, face branding, and banishment seem appropriate, although long imprisonment might be more civilized. – Zail Coffman, S.B.
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Thanks to Nick Welsh for keeping this issue at the forefront. I thought the priests were about protecting their flock: As Jesus said, suffer the young ones to come unto me. However, these criminals thought it more important to protect their hierarchy and their precious church than to protect children in their flock from rapacious male priests. – Dan McCaslin, S.B.