₦airaland Forum

Pope Francis has been quoted as saying that reliable data indicates that "about 2%" of clergy in the Catholic Church are paedophiles.

The Pope said that abuse of children was like "leprosy" infecting the Church, according to the Italian La Repubblica newspaper.

He vowed to "confront it with the severity it demands".

But a Vatican spokesman said the quotes in the newspaper did not correspond to Pope Francis's exact words.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says there is often a studied ambiguity in Pope Francis' off-the-cuff statements.

He wants to show a more compassionate attitude towards Church teaching than his predecessors, but this can sometimes cause consternation among his media advisers, our correspondent adds.

Anger at Vatican
In the interview, Pope Francis was quoted as saying that the 2% estimate came from advisers. It would represent around 8,000 priests out of a global number of about 414,000.

While the incidence of paedophilia in the general population is not accurately known, some estimates have put it at less than five percent.

"Among the 2% who are paedophiles are priests, bishops and cardinals. Others, more numerous, know but keep quiet. They punish without giving the reason," Pope Francis was quoted as saying.

"I find this state of affairs intolerable," he went on.

Above the interview La Repubblica ran the headline: "Pope says: Like Jesus, I shall use a stick against paedophile priests."

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi denied that Pope Francis had said that there were cardinals who were paedophiles.

Last year Pope Francis strengthened the Vatican's laws against child abuse and earlier this month begged forgiveness from the victims of sexual abuse by priests, at his first meeting with victims since his election.

Many survivors of abuse by priests are angry at what they see as the Vatican's failure to punish senior officials who have been accused of covering up scandals.

Asked in the same La Repubblica interview about the celibacy rule for priests, Pope Francis recalled that it was adopted 900 years after the death of Jesus Christ and pointed out that the Eastern Catholic Church allows its priests to marry.

"The problem certainly exists but it is not on a large scale. It will need time but the solutions are there and I will find them."

Father Lombardi also denied that these were the Pope's exact words.

I don't go around telling people that I'm anything (atheist, agnostic etc.) I simply explain that I don't believe in whatever horseshit that they are trying to peddle and watch the frustration mount up.

Apatheist: only a handful like reading, or are curious. African tradition is very conservative. Anything new is seen as a threat, people do not want to know about the world. This is a comment from the Black hole thread: With comments like that, how can we appreciate literacy.

Nigeria is conservative but there is a pack mentality. People do not want to miss out on whatever the next big thing is - this was true of xtianity and can also be true of a greater literacy culture. They may not appreciate it now but if it is seen as a means for personal fulfilment independent of any large money grabbing institution then I believe that people will see the benefit.

Apatheist: Good suggestion, but do you think this can be implemented successfully in Nigeria?
All the money wey dem get since, nko?
What of the subsidy they removed from fuel that was to be used to develop Nigeria. Them no loot everything finish?

A greater appreciation of literacy should lead to more curiosity and understanding of the political system. This in turn should lead to greater citizen involvement.

Once the people are aware that the theft can only continue of they allow it then things should change.

Even if in the beginning the current Nigerian way of doing things leads to some of that money going where it shouldn't go there will still be enough in the system to effect change.

Apatheist: The so-called whites do not attribute everything to god.
They don't see insects as 'witches '
When they wake up in the midnight, it is not to pray against 'enemies '
They are curious and want to know.
etc

You only speak for some, if not a minority. Many people in the western world hold onto peculiar and unfounded ideas such as religion, witchcraft and the existence of ghosts.

The power of the elders is the problem in Nigerian society, it is an issue that I have noticed on other stagnant nations outside of Africa. They are afforded too much respect and have too much influence which they abuse. This hampers development, progress and the introduction of better ideas.

I would propose a 99% tax rate with all proceeds going towards an improved network of public libraries, universal health care and health education.

Those three improvements alone would negate the need and dependence on religious groups.

An intelligent person would stay away from any house of ignorance.

'Believe' in atheism?

It isn't a belief.

All religions rely upon on the use of force otherwise their numbers would dwindle.

There isn't a religion or cult on this planet that does not encourage parents to compel their children to attend religious ceremonies that they may or may not understand. Many such parents resort to force to get this point across.

It is incredibly naive/dishonest to direct such a post at Islam, the major religions have all used violence to spread their message.

A lot of ignorance in this thread.

The man is asking for market value.

Why should he be paid less than Lagerback, Vogts or the other Eurotrash mercenaries that have stolen money in cahoots with the NFF?

He won the African Cup of Nations, took another squad to the African Nations Championship where they finished third and had the team playing cohesive, tactically aware football. He has been the best manager that Nigeria has had in (at least) 20 years.

mrtruth: I wanted to take you serious but I guess you'll prefer to stick to your presumed ideologies. If it is true that civilization came in diverse folds (and you're right)then retract your "eastern backwardness" clause now. As for islam and corrosives or islam and jihad, if you claim not to understand then you just told us how much you should be feared.

You can't read.

"Middle Eastern" backwardness is what I said - and I was only speaking in reference to the religions that have emanated from that part of the world.

Dead bodies decompose.

Some people like to speed up the process and cremate the body.

mrtruth: Thanks. So where did civilization come from? And by the way, is any truth not worth defending worth living for? Corrosiveness is a doctrine of jihad which islam teaches which gives birth to terrorism everywhere. You don't have that in xty.

There have been numerous empires and 'civilizations'. If you did not know that then I fear for you. Anybody who claims that civilisation is unique to the western world should not be taken seriously.

How is 'corrosiveness' a doctrine in Islam? What does that even mean?

mployer: I don't know where You got that from, It is not Biblical. God is not responsible for all happenings on earth.

Ask yourself, could He also be responsible for the temptations of Jesus christ?

So predestination is no longer a part of xtian doctrine?

Your god is no longer all powerful?

mployer: Can You have such plans for your Child? He said 'I know the plans I have for You, plans to do You good and bring You to an expected end'

Evil Is Never part of Gods plan for anyone, its not in His character

People are victims of violent crime everyday.

If we are to believe xtian dogma that god is the author and origin of all then that too would be a part of his grand plan.

mployer: I pray so I Will be in sync with Him. So my thoughts and actions Will align with His Will for me. In that way I Can obey, understand and enjoy his blessings.

What happens when he doesn't intend for you enjoy any blessings - if his intention is for your house to be attacked by armed robbers and your family killed. Would you attempt to alter his plans?

mrtruth: You may be a little mistaken. Has xnty represented easternism or westernism and civilization? Why does boko haram fight christians in the name of westernism?

Who is mistaken here?

Since when did 'Westernism' equate to Civilization? Only a foolish person would make such a claim.

The fact that you cannot see that all of these religions that Nigerians labour under are equally corrosive is indicative of your lack of reasoning.

LordReed: Let us put aside the question of doctrine and consider the action of prayer. If talking to one's self is not crazy then prayer as a subset of soliloquy can't be either. Is this not logic?

Prayer is predicated upon the assumption that there is an unproven element somewhere out there in the stratosphere listening to the banal thoughts and fears of billions. Your request that I put aside doctrine is/was dishonest.

Talking to oneself is simply talking to oneself.

Until a substantial percentage of Nigerians are willing to throw away the shackles of backwards middle eastern philosophy (that would include xtianity) the likelihood of Nigeria emerging from its current state will remain minimal.

LordReed: People speak to themselves all the time, some to encourage themselves, others as a form assessment of a situation or goal. This is by no means a measure of insanity or else we are all mad. Singling out prayer for special reference is illogical.

I find it odd that someone who suggests that prayer is in any way rational would introduce 'logic' into the equation.

Prayer is the most illogical of practices if one takes the complete doctrine of Abrahamic religions into account - an all knowing, all powerful being. A being responsible for everything that has and will ever take place. A being that has supposedly predestined everything.

mployer: Prayer is the antidote to a restless mind.

If talking to oneself is the first sign of madness then how crazy must one be to talk to an imaginary friend?

Prayer is the act of a restless mind.

Mescopaul: You termed this a fairytale?? Man is no use saying anytin, am not talkin a fairytale, maybe the literature section wud do u gud bro. Thanks.

Fairytale:
A fabricated story, especially one intended to deceive.

Like it or not the story that claims that a perfect being made a perfect world and then had to rectify his lack of foresight with a sacrifice is a fabrication.

Mescopaul: Bro, you guys love crying over spilled milk. If you were God, so to say, you wont create man, FINE! The fact that lies now is not "why did God create man?" as you have inferred, but the issue is "escape from the punishment of evil doers by accepting Jesus into ur life, simple!

Talking the truth is now 'crying over spilt milk'?

Allowing a lie to go unchallenged is socially irresponsible.

If the first part of the fairytale is unlikely to be true then it makes the second part even less likely to be true.

If I were an all powerful, all knowing super being, complete and content I would not create anything because I would not need to.

The urge to create comes from a need to fill a void.

As a result I would not need to send someone to be murdered (or commit deicide). That is nonsensical.

With all the religion that we have in Nigeria you reason that we need even more?

You are insane.

Spotless180: but church should be concerned with d salvation of souls.

The church has never been about that. It has always been about controlling the actions and behaviour of others.

qstar: Nawa for Christians oh!

The Bible is never fully adhered to.
Some parts are allegorical, some parts are metaphorical, some parts are unimportant, some parts are literal, some parts are obsolete, some parts are holy-spiritual, even some parts are not for Christians.

Pheeew!

They make it up as they go along.

Whatever the pastor de jour tells then that is what they believe.

HumanPsycho: The case on timothy is only contextual as paul was writing to timothy his experience with women during his time - the women were busy making small talk while he was teaching the crowd, so that statement was like a rebuke to the women. Women can absolutely Teach, Lead and Even give out instructions in the church although it has to be under the supervision of the holyspirit!The case on timothy is only contextual as paul was writing to timothy his experience with women during his time - the women were busy making small talk while he was teaching the crowd, so that statement was like a rebuke to the women. Women can absolutely Teach, Lead and Even give out instructions in the church although it has to be under the supervision of the holyspirit!

That is not what it says in the unerring word of god.

1 Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Proverbs 30:20 - Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

Proverbs 21:19 - [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Redoil: Most muslims just believe what they are told without kwestion so being atheis will not be easy. Unlike we xtian that ask kwestions and if proper answer is not given then wellcome to atheism

I hope that was said in jest.

You are as misguided as the Muslims or the Scientologists.

Nothing new here.

Just another Ted Haggard.

Or an Eddie Long.

Or the several other ministers who have been exposed for preaching about something that they themselves engage in.