Benedict XVI First Pope in 600 Years to Resign

[Rob Iola]

I'm thinking we need some fresh blood in the Vatican - like maybe KC Keeler or Jerry Moore...

[JoltinJoe]

So some visit by the pope, and years later the Soviets fall??? Do you understand how that sounds?

Do you know how it sounds when you asked questions like that?

You should read up on it. The Solidarity labor movement started in Poland as a direct result of the Pope's visit. That ultimately caused the fall of communism in Poland, and that movement spread to other Eastern European states.

I watched the event on TV, sometimes live, and it was remarkable what happened. Under the Communists in Poland, it was illegal to display both the flag of the Polish republic and the flag of the Catholic Church.

The Pope arrived in Poland in 1979 and began speaking in terms of challenging the secular authority's suppression of the church. As he spoke, a few of the outlawed flags appeared.

As his visit progressed, and he spoke elsewhere, more and more of the outlawed flags appeared -- growing defiance of the Communist government. Commentators on US TV remarked about the growing display of defiance, and expressed shock over what they were seeing. The people in Poland began to recognize they had the numbers on their side. At the pope's final mass, 500,000 people attended, despite the government's efforts to keep people away. This was being televised worldwide: tens of the thousands of the outlawed flags being waved in open defiance of the government. Television coverage was cut off.

The Soviets were infuriated by what they felt was the incompetence of their Polish puppets. Yuri Andropov, then head of the KGB, furiously declared the Pope was an enemy of the state. He thereafter collaborated with Bulgarian intelligence to arrange the assassination attempt on the Pope on May 13, 1981.

When I graduated college in 1984, the school honored Lech Walesa, the founder of the Solidarity labor movement, with an honorary degree. But Polish authorities would not let Walesa leave Poland to accept the award. The school awarded the degree anyway, despite never having honored anyone in abstentia before. At the ceremony, the school indicated that it decided to grant the award to Walesa in abstentia because it was clear that "Mr. Walesa will never be able to accept the award in person." So even five years into the movement, the government was still fighting the popular movement.

http://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/20/nyreg ... entia.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Once Communism collapsed in Poland, it began collapsing in other Soviet client states one after another, and eventually the Soviet leader, Gorbachev, realized there was no putting the genie back into the bottle.

The Soviets indicated that they would hand over power to a new constitutional government as of January 1, 1992. However, they managed to wrap up all business a week earlier, and ceded power a week early.

Deaf, godless communists to the end, they did not even realize their dramatic removal of the Hammer & Sickle flag from the top of the Kremlin for the last time, broadcast around the world, occurred on Christmas Day, 1991. The symbolism did not go unnoticed in the Christian West.

[93henfan]

I'm thinking we need some fresh blood in the Vatican - like maybe KC Keeler or Jerry Moore...

KC Keeler was a peter, but I'm not sure he's Pope material.

And Joe, God bless you. Your faith is very, very strong.

[D1B]

A primer on how/why the Pope's 1979 visit to Poland was the spark for the fall of Soviet Communism:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEY5T7k7oGE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I lived through these events. I remember what happened. I find it remarkable that people try to claim that the pope had no influence on these events.

Walesa and John Paul II had a good working relationship. 600 years since the last papal resignation? We live in interesting times.

Shit happens when you let priest fuck children and adhere to medieval moral codes and absolutes. What's interesting is that they didn't sack his sorry ass years ago or even allowed him to be pope in the first place.

[ASUMountaineer]

And yet his papacy caused the fall of the Soviet Union, without arms or bloodshed.

I think anyone circa 1978 would have called the fall of the Soviet Union, and all of its puppet states, without arms or bloodshed, a "miracle."

We become quite blase to the miraculous in retrospect.

Wait, I thought that the GOP's Lord and Savior Ronald Wilson Reagan caused the fall of the Soviet Union. Please tell me that the GOP could not have been wrong!

[dbackjon]

And yet his papacy caused the fall of the Soviet Union, without arms or bloodshed.

I think anyone circa 1978 would have called the fall of the Soviet Union, and all of its puppet states, without arms or bloodshed, a "miracle."

We become quite blase to the miraculous in retrospect.

I thought it was St. Ronald of Bonzo that did that?

[Grizalltheway]

And yet his papacy caused the fall of the Soviet Union, without arms or bloodshed.

I think anyone circa 1978 would have called the fall of the Soviet Union, and all of its puppet states, without arms or bloodshed, a "miracle."

We become quite blase to the miraculous in retrospect.

I thought it was St. Ronald of Bonzo that did that?

Depends on which delusional shithead you ask.

[kalm]

But I hope the next Pope does not come from a life experience of perceiving the Church under siege by the state, or even by civil movements. The Catholic Church has survived for 2000 years, much longer than any current government. It will continue to grow and thrive, despite periods of persecution and siege (indeed, the Church in China is under siege, so much so that the Cardinal in China cannot be publicly identified).

So I hope the next Pope is willing to open the window and not feel the Church is under siege by modern events.

While ironically persecuting and besieging other peoples and religion for much of that time. But admittedly they have done some good and appear to be moving in the right direction along with the rest of mankind.

[JoltinJoe]

From the Washington Post, a columnist with a a pretty sober assessment of how John Paul II significantly impacted the fall of Communism:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... 5Apr5.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone want to tell me why the KGB tried to off him?

[kalm]

And yet his papacy caused the fall of the Soviet Union, without arms or bloodshed.

I think anyone circa 1978 would have called the fall of the Soviet Union, and all of its puppet states, without arms or bloodshed, a "miracle."

We become quite blase to the miraculous in retrospect.

Wait, I thought that the GOP's Lord and Savior Ronald Wilson Reagan caused the fall of the Soviet Union. Please tell me that the GOP could not have been wrong!

The CIA was predicting the fall before the pope visited Poland. I'm sure that helped but it was inevitable.

[JoltinJoe]

Wait, I thought that the GOP's Lord and Savior Ronald Wilson Reagan caused the fall of the Soviet Union. Please tell me that the GOP could not have been wrong!

The CIA was predicting the fall before the pope visited Poland. I'm sure that helped but it was inevitable.

Uh, source??

[D1B]

So some visit by the pope, and years later the Soviets fall??? Do you understand how that sounds?

Do you know how it sounds when you asked questions like that?

You should read up on it. The Solidarity labor movement started in Poland as a direct result of the Pope's visit. That ultimately caused the fall of communism in Poland, and that movement spread to other Eastern European states.

I watched the event on TV, sometimes live, and it was remarkable what happened. Under the Communists in Poland, it was illegal to display both the flag of the Polish republic and the flag of the Catholic Church.

The Pope arrived in Poland in 1979 and began speaking in terms of challenging the secular authority's suppression of the church. As he spoke, a few of the outlawed flags appeared.

As his visit progressed, and he spoke elsewhere, more and more of the outlawed flags appeared -- growing defiance of the Communist government. Commentators on US TV remarked about the growing display of defiance, and expressed shock over what they were seeing. The people in Poland began to recognize they had the numbers on their side. At the pope's final mass, 500,000 people attended, despite the government's efforts to keep people away. This was being televised worldwide: tens of the thousands of the outlawed flags being waved in open defiance of the government. Television coverage was cut off.

The Soviets were infuriated by what they felt was the incompetence of their Polish puppets. Yuri Andropov, then head of the KGB, furiously declared the Pope was an enemy of the state. He thereafter collaborated with Bulgarian intelligence to arrange the assassination attempt on the Pope on May 13, 1981.

When I graduated college in 1984, the school honored Lech Walesa, the founder of the Solidarity labor movement, with an honorary degree. But Polish authorities would not let Walesa leave Poland to accept the award. The school awarded the degree anyway, despite never having honored anyone in abstentia before. At the ceremony, the school indicated that it decided to grant the award to Walesa in abstentia because it was clear that "Mr. Walesa will never be able to accept the award in person." So even five years into the movement, the government was still fighting the popular movement.

http://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/20/nyreg ... entia.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Once Communism collapsed in Poland, it began collapsing in other Soviet client states one after another, and eventually the Soviet leader, Gorbachev, realized there was no putting the genie back into the bottle.

The Soviets indicated that they would hand over power to a new constitutional government as of January 1, 1992. However, they managed to wrap up all business a week earlier, and ceded power a week early.

Deaf, godless communists to the end, they did not even realize their dramatic removal of the Hammer & Sickle flag from the top of the Kremlin for the last time, broadcast around the world, occurred on Christmas Day, 1991. The symbolism did not go unnoticed in the Christian West.

Communism primarily collapsed on it own. Like the church, it's a doomed. dogmatic system pregnant with the seeds of its own destruction.

The sole reason your church even exists is due to it, reluctantly and partially adopting the secular ideal of individual freedom. Your church can no longer get away with torturing people, terrorizing nations and forcing belief.

[89Hen]

Benedict was a disappointment for me - was too hard line, way too abrasive, didn't have a sliver of the charisma of the guy who came before him - he just came off as being old. And being yet another European didn't really excite at all either. It would be nice to have a relatively young one this time around, and like JJ said, coming from a different world perspective would be nice as well. WWII is over and has been for a long time, time to get a different outlook on things.

We've had two great Archbishops in DC last two, but McCarrick is too old and I doubt we'll see an American in our lifetimes.

[CAA Flagship]

Chris Christie for Pope!!!!!!!!!!

[kalm]

The CIA was predicting the fall before the pope visited Poland. I'm sure that helped but it was inevitable.

Uh, source??

I read it somewhere years ago and if you google it their are numerous articles. But the best place to start is straight from the horse's mouth. Here's a primer, but I don't have the time to research the CIA's archives.

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for- ... appen.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ASUMountaineer]

From the Washington Post, a columnist with a a pretty sober assessment of how John Paul II significantly impacted the fall of Communism:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... 5Apr5.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone want to tell me why the KGB tried to off him?

They wanted his red shoes? I don't know, I'm not a KGB.

Would you agree that there were many factors that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union, and one of those factors was JPII?

[D1B]

The last two popes grew up in a Church persecuted and repressed by their national government: John Paul II, in Poland, where the Church was repressed first by the Nazis (who sent priests to concentration camps) and then by the Soviets; and Benedict XVI in German, where the Nazis actively suppressed the Church and sent Catholic priests to concentration camps.

Of course, John Paul II was seen as an ardent foe of Soviet totalitarianism and his papacy was a principal cause of the fall of the Soviet Union. As routinely acknowledged by historians, John Paul II's visit to Poland in 1979, and the words he spoke while there, were a catalyst for the rise of the Polish labor movement and later the fall of Soviet communism throughout Eastern Europe. The Soviets knew the threat they confronted in John Paul II. That was why the KBG tried to assassinate him.

But I hope the next Pope does not come from a life experience of perceiving the Church under siege by the state, or even by civil movements. The Catholic Church has survived for 2000 years, much longer than any current government. It will continue to grow and thrive, despite periods of persecution and siege (indeed, the Church in China is under siege, so much so that the Cardinal in China cannot be publicly identified).

So I hope the next Pope is willing to open the window and not feel the Church is under siege by modern events.

"The greatest persecution of the church doesn't come from enemies on the outside but is born from the sins within the church." Pope Benedict, May 11, 2010

[JoltinJoe]

From the Washington Post, a columnist with a a pretty sober assessment of how John Paul II significantly impacted the fall of Communism:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... 5Apr5.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone want to tell me why the KGB tried to off him?

They wanted his red shoes? I don't know, I'm not a KGB.

Would you agree that there were many factors that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union, and one of those factors was JPII?

Sure, there were many causes. What I said initially was the Pope's visit to Poland was the catalyst.

Would you agree with me that, in 1978, no one would have rationally predicted the ultimate fall of Soviet communism without bloodshed? And that it occurred that way is somewhat miraculous?

[ASUMountaineer]

They wanted his red shoes? I don't know, I'm not a KGB.

Would you agree that there were many factors that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union, and one of those factors was JPII?

Sure, there were many causes. What I said initially was the Pope's visit to Poland was the catalyst.

Would you agree with me that, in 1978, no one would have rationally predicted the ultimate fall of Soviet communism without bloodshed? And that it occurred that way is somewhat miraculous?

Sure. Especially given the state of the US at that point. With Jimmy Carter at the helm, any and every thing bad that could happened was possible. I think, like GOPers, you're giving more credit to one person to the discredit of others. I don't doubt JPII's influence helped push eastern Europeans to start fighting back, just as I don't doubt Reagan's ability to use the media and his skills to apply pressure directly to the brass of the USSR. There is A LOT of credit to go around.

[D1B]

They wanted his red shoes? I don't know, I'm not a KGB.

Would you agree that there were many factors that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union, and one of those factors was JPII?

Sure, there were many causes. What I said initially was the Pope's visit to Poland was the catalyst.

It was an exceedingly minor factor, if at all. You are grossly exaggerating his role. If all it took was a visit, then why the fuck didn't a pope do it several decades previous?

We get it Joe. You're excited about your church. No need to go full on whackjob.

Also, keep in mind Benedict is resigning because the hoard is at the gates. The fucking coward/quiter.

[D1B]

Benedict was a disappointment for me - was too hard line, way too abrasive, didn't have a sliver of the charisma of the guy who came before him - he just came off as being old. And being yet another European didn't really excite at all either. It would be nice to have a relatively young one this time around, and like JJ said, coming from a different world perspective would be nice as well. WWII is over and has been for a long time, time to get a different outlook on things.

We've had two great Archbishops in DC last two, but McCarrick is too old and I doubt we'll see an American in our lifetimes.

Yeah, and didn't McCarrick get dinged, or should I say "donged", for fucking other priests and seminarians back in the day?

"On file are the unsealed 'MEDIATION DOCUMENTATION FOR FR. G.' that involved McCarrick, the dioceses of Metuchen and Newark, NJ. (2006) A financial settlement was reached. The case was sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, but it has not yet responded. Documents include the history of McCarrick’s initial sexual gesture and approach to the victim then a seminarian, in the bishop’s Metuchen residence in 1986. Documentation includes hand written correspondence (letters and cards) from McCarrick postmarked between 1987 and 2005. Many of the letters are signed 'Uncle Ted.' The names of other priests who were either seen having sex with McCarrick or witnessed McCarrick having sex with another priest are also included in the file. One of the priests is still in active ministry another left the ministry and was assisted by the church and McCarrick to re-educate for another profession. The names of other sexually active priests are also in the reports. Records of McCarrick’s activities with these priests are also included in medical evaluations and records all reviewed by Bishop Hughes of Metuchen already in 1995.

"Excerpts from the legal Settlement Documents include firsthand accounts that are also in the Newark Archdiocese records of an incident on a trip with McCarrick, then Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, with a seminarian and two young priests when they shared a room with two double beds, it reads:


· McCarrick, wearing just underwear, got into bed with one of the priests: “Bishop McCarrick was sitting on the crotch of Fr. RC As I was watching TV with Fr BL [full names appear in the documents], bishop McCarrick was smiling and laughing and moving his hands all over Fr. RC’s body. Bishop McCarrick was touching Fr. C’s body, rubbing his hands from head to toe and having a good time, occasionally placing his hands underneath Fr. C’s underwear. feeling very uncomfortable while trying to focus on television, and Fr. B.L., started smiling. As I looked at the bed next to me, Bishop McCarrick was excitedly caressing the full body of Fr. R.C. At that moment, I made eye contact [with] Bishop McCarrick. He smiled at me saying, 'Don’t worry, you’re next.' At that moment, I felt the hand of Fr. B.L. rubbing my back and shoulders. I felt sick to my stomach and went under the covers and pretended to sleep.”

"McCarrick continued to pursue the young man, sent him notes and telephoned him. Notes reveal that it was the custom the Archbishop McCarrick to call his protégés “nephew” and encouraged his entourage to call each other “cousin” and for them to call him 'uncle Ted.'

"On another occasion McCarrick summoned the young man to drive him from the Newark Cathedral to New York City. He took him to dinner; and after, rather than returning to Newark as anticipated McCarrick went to a one-room apartment that housed one bed and a recliner chair. McCarrick said that he would take the chair, but after showering he turned off the lights and clad in his underwear he climbed into bed with his guest. Here is the account from the documents:

“He put his arms around me and wrapped his legs around mine. Then He started to tell me what a nice young man I was and what a good priest I would make someday. He also told me about the hard work and stress he was facing in his new role as Archbishop of Newark. He told me how everyone knows him and how powerful he was. The Archbishop kept saying, “Pray for your poor uncle.” All of a sudden, I felt paralyzed. I didn’t have my own car and there was nowhere to go. The Archbishop started to kiss me and move his hands and legs around me. I remained frozen, curled up like a ball. I felt his penis inside his underwear leaning against my buttocks as he was rubbing my legs up and down. His hands were moving up and down my chest and back, while tightening his legs around mine. I tried to scream but could not…I was paralyzed with fear. As he continued touching me, I felt more afraid. He even tried several times to force his hands under my shorts. He tried to roll me over so that he could get on top of me, but I resisted, I felt sick and disgusted and finally was able to jump out of bed. I went into the bathroom where I vomited several times and started to cry. After twenty minutes in the bathroom, the Archbishop told me to come back to bed. Instead I went to the recliner and pretended to fall asleep.”

http://whereisfrhaley.blogspot.com/2010 ... rrick.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[D1B]

They wanted his red shoes? I don't know, I'm not a KGB.

Would you agree that there were many factors that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union, and one of those factors was JPII?

Sure, there were many causes. What I said initially was the Pope's visit to Poland was the catalyst.

Would you agree with me that, in 1978, no one would have rationally predicted the ultimate fall of Soviet communism without bloodshed? And that it occurred that way is somewhat miraculous?

Joe, how many people died in Budapest or Prague? How many people died in Afghanistan? Shit, the fighters in Afghanistan crippled the USSR.

You went off the deep end, Joseph.

[CAA Flagship]

We've had two great Archbishops in DC last two, but McCarrick is too old and I doubt we'll see an American in our lifetimes.

Yeah, and didn't McCarrick get dinged, or should I say "donged", for fucking other priests and seminarians back in the day?

"On file are the unsealed 'MEDIATION DOCUMENTATION FOR FR. G.' that involved McCarrick, the dioceses of Metuchen and Newark, NJ. (2006) A financial settlement was reached. The case was sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, but it has not yet responded. Documents include the history of McCarrick’s initial sexual gesture and approach to the victim then a seminarian, in the bishop’s Metuchen residence in 1986. Documentation includes hand written correspondence (letters and cards) from McCarrick postmarked between 1987 and 2005. Many of the letters are signed 'Uncle Ted.' The names of other priests who were either seen having sex with McCarrick or witnessed McCarrick having sex with another priest are also included in the file. One of the priests is still in active ministry another left the ministry and was assisted by the church and McCarrick to re-educate for another profession. The names of other sexually active priests are also in the reports. Records of McCarrick’s activities with these priests are also included in medical evaluations and records all reviewed by Bishop Hughes of Metuchen already in 1995.

"Excerpts from the legal Settlement Documents include firsthand accounts that are also in the Newark Archdiocese records of an incident on a trip with McCarrick, then Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, with a seminarian and two young priests when they shared a room with two double beds, it reads:


· McCarrick, wearing just underwear, got into bed with one of the priests: “Bishop McCarrick was sitting on the crotch of Fr. RC As I was watching TV with Fr BL [full names appear in the documents], bishop McCarrick was smiling and laughing and moving his hands all over Fr. RC’s body. Bishop McCarrick was touching Fr. C’s body, rubbing his hands from head to toe and having a good time, occasionally placing his hands underneath Fr. C’s underwear. feeling very uncomfortable while trying to focus on television, and Fr. B.L., started smiling. As I looked at the bed next to me, Bishop McCarrick was excitedly caressing the full body of Fr. R.C. At that moment, I made eye contact [with] Bishop McCarrick. He smiled at me saying, 'Don’t worry, you’re next.' At that moment, I felt the hand of Fr. B.L. rubbing my back and shoulders. I felt sick to my stomach and went under the covers and pretended to sleep.”

"McCarrick continued to pursue the young man, sent him notes and telephoned him. Notes reveal that it was the custom the Archbishop McCarrick to call his protégés “nephew” and encouraged his entourage to call each other “cousin” and for them to call him 'uncle Ted.'

"On another occasion McCarrick summoned the young man to drive him from the Newark Cathedral to New York City. He took him to dinner; and after, rather than returning to Newark as anticipated McCarrick went to a one-room apartment that housed one bed and a recliner chair. McCarrick said that he would take the chair, but after showering he turned off the lights and clad in his underwear he climbed into bed with his guest. Here is the account from the documents:

“He put his arms around me and wrapped his legs around mine. Then He started to tell me what a nice young man I was and what a good priest I would make someday. He also told me about the hard work and stress he was facing in his new role as Archbishop of Newark. He told me how everyone knows him and how powerful he was. The Archbishop kept saying, “Pray for your poor uncle.” All of a sudden, I felt paralyzed. I didn’t have my own car and there was nowhere to go. The Archbishop started to kiss me and move his hands and legs around me. I remained frozen, curled up like a ball. I felt his penis inside his underwear leaning against my buttocks as he was rubbing my legs up and down. His hands were moving up and down my chest and back, while tightening his legs around mine. I tried to scream but could not…I was paralyzed with fear. As he continued touching me, I felt more afraid. He even tried several times to force his hands under my shorts. He tried to roll me over so that he could get on top of me, but I resisted, I felt sick and disgusted and finally was able to jump out of bed. I went into the bathroom where I vomited several times and started to cry. After twenty minutes in the bathroom, the Archbishop told me to come back to bed. Instead I went to the recliner and pretended to fall asleep.”

http://whereisfrhaley.blogspot.com/2010 ... rrick.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can't mess with D. He has info on every Deacon, Priest, Bishop, and Cardinal bookmarked for rapid-fire quoting. In fact, he is the assault rifle of anti-catholic quoting.

[93henfan]

Everyone has to be the best at something.

[D1B]

Yeah, and didn't McCarrick get dinged, or should I say "donged", for fucking other priests and seminarians back in the day?



http://whereisfrhaley.blogspot.com/2010 ... rrick.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can't mess with D. He has info on every Deacon, Priest, Bishop, and Cardinal bookmarked for rapid-fire quoting. In fact, he is the assault rifle of anti-catholic quoting.

With guys like McCarrick in charge, no wonder the church is a safe haven for pedophiles.

Washington Post, 2003

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick is taking aim at the Maryland General Assembly, charging that a legislative proposal that would require priests to report suspected child abuse would violate the sanctity of the confessional.

"If this bill were to pass, I shall instruct all priests in the Archdiocese of Washington who serve in Maryland to ignore it," McCarrick wrote in a column in the latest issue of the Catholic Standard. " . . . On this issue, I will gladly plead civil disobedience and willingly -- if not gladly -- go to jail."

In the wake of the Catholic Church's child sexual abuse scandal, state legislatures across the country are considering proposals aimed at preventing abuse by priests and at increasing the time victims have to sue the church.

Connecticut, Pennsylvania and California have extended their statutes of limitation, and Massachusetts passed a law last year requiring clergy to report any child abuse except information obtained in a confessional. Similar bills have been introduced in other states, including Virginia, and lawmakers in Kentucky and New Hampshire want to eliminate the priest-penitent privilege altogether.

But so far, just two of the 33 states that require clergy to report child sexual abuse specifically include information obtained in the confessional. Current Maryland law, for instance, contains a broad exemption for the clergy to protect such information.

That could soon change. A bill pushed by Sen. Delores G. Kelley (D-Baltimore) would require a priest to report any information about child abuse obtained in the confessional unless it was a direct admission from the perpetrator.

Information offered by victims during confession would have to be reported, as would information from third parties, such as the wife of a suspected abuser. The bill contains no penalties for failure to comply.

Some legal experts questioned the bill's constitutionality, but victim advocates say the current clergy exemption is too broad.

"It should be the highest moral responsibility to protect children in their own congregation," said Ellen Mugmon, legislative chairwoman of the Maryland State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. "The scandals have made it abundantly clear that reporting by religious organizations, and not just the Catholic Church, hasn't occurred -- and to disastrous effect."

Yep, great guy, Hen.