Post by goz on Aug 23, 2019 21:43:27 GMT
People are responsible for what they do, not for what they don't do.
So unless laity members of the RCC deliberately withheld courtroom-solid evidence that would have brought down pedophile clergymen, or deliberately lied, they are not responsible for the pedophiles within the RCC.
...and this is exactly the point.
People are responsible for what they do, not for what they don't do.
and the question I was attempting to ask before the apologists got on board and both disliked me asking it and questioning my motives.
It raises an interesting subject which is in law ( depending on jurisdiction) is called 'an accessory after the fact' which is often a crime itself.
An accessory is a person who assists in the commission of a crime, but who does not actually participate in the commission of the crime as a joint principal. In some jurisdictions, an accessory is distinguished from an accomplice, who normally is present at the crime and participates in some way. An accessory must generally have knowledge that a crime is being, or will be committed.
It is a matter of supposition whether the laity fall into this category. It is obvious that many did and certainly the Catholic Church as an entity was guilty of this criminal behaviour. This is now what all the fuss is about. The 'lack' of action.
With the quoted statement from you, are you stating categorically that the laity and Catholic hierarchy are innocent and guilt rests entirely with the perpetrators?