Catholic Church Sex Abuse

As Roman Catholics around the world celebrate the biggest week of the religious calender, Pope Benedict XVI finds himself with another potential episode in the sex abuse story that has dogged the church for 10 years. Although the story is only a decade long, the atrocities and wrongdoings got their start much earlier.

The Holy Father did not mention the abuse cases specifically, but defiantly answered his critics in an indirect manner at the Palm Sunday service at St. Peter's square. Benedict spoke of, "the courage of not allowing oneself to be intimidated by the petty gossip of dominant opinion."

With these words, Pope Benedict XVI has further widened the gulf between the church and the people it is charged with leading and shepherding. Benedict's arrogance shows all Catholics that certain people are above the others and there is no need to discipline those who have wronged innocent children for years.

The Church is to care for its people. It is to be the ultimate model of community. If a priest harms a child, or anyone for that matter. he is to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I personally would like to see the law extended further to make an example of anyone who molests a child.

The Vatican and the individual archdioceses under it should work together to expose the priests who have betrayed the trust of the loyal flock. The leader of the flock, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI shows the ignorance and apathy of the Church's heirarchy by referring to the masses as "petty". The Church as a whole would do well to swiftly and judiciously begin a process where accused priests are put on leave and the ones who are found guilty are removed from their positions, excommunicated from the church and handed over to the local authorities to be dealt with accordingly. Only then will the people realize the church is dedicated to all that is good and begin anew during the joyful celebration of the ressurection.

Right to Repair

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are debating a bill that is currently in the State Senate that would release computerized repair codes to mechanics all over the commonwealth. Right now, some necessary repairs can only be performed by garages at dealerships, which charge more money than your local garage down the street. This practice would make it difficult for independent garages to continue to stay in business.

The US auto industry received almost 25 billion dollars from the federal government as part of the economic recovery plan. In addition to the tax money the auto industry received, it also collects thousands of dollars more than the sticker price of the vehicles sold thanks to financing. Now dealerships are continuing to cry poverty and are hoping they will be able to force consumers to come to them when a car/truck needs servicing. I wonder why sales were slipping.

Joe's Garage didn't recieve a penny when it came time for the bailout pie to be sliced. Local independents take a lot of flak when it comes to the price of gas and how much it costs to fix a car. The price isn't as bad as when it needs to be done by a dealership. Joe didn't take tax money.

The Right to Repair Bill is a good idea for everyone. It gives customers more options when it comes to their cars. It allows businesses to stay open, which means more jobs can be saved, and in some cases, maybe even created. Local gas stations and garages also contribute to local youth organiztions. The Right to Repair Bill will help everyone. Contact your local representative and senator. Make sure they know this. You can find your local legislator at http://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htm