Catholics Call On Priest To Resign

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (RNS) A conservative Catholic group has called on a Massachusetts priest to apologize for suggesting that Pope Benedict XVI should resign if he does not take stronger action to confront the church's sexual abuse scandal.

Adding its voice to the uproar over the Rev. James J. Scahill's remarks last weekend (April 3-4), the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts said the priest had effectively accused the pope of lying during four sermons at St. Michael's Catholic Church..

"It is a serious matter when a priest suggests that the Vicar of Christ is a liar," said C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Dedham, Mass.-based group.

"Prudence and justice would demand that he had unassailable facts and irrefutable evidence to substantiate his charge. Sadly, James Scahill has neither," he added.

Reached Thursday, Scahill said he does not regret the remarks and will not apologize.

"This has nothing to do with Jim Scahill; it's about the total lack of transparency relating to the abuse of children and minors and the subsequent cover-up for decades," he said.

The Catholic Action League is known for conservative stands on abortion, gay rights and other cultural issues. The league denounced church officials for allowing the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's funeral Mass to be held at a Catholic church in Boston last year.

Comments

[Kirby]

11:39 AM on 04/27/2010

So the Pope said several days ago that even stronger action would be occuring. So according to how the priest's phraseology goes, Pope Benedict should not resign. Case closed for the priest, and for everyone else, I hope. Unless you're really out to get the church and the pope just for getting them both out of the way.

[jacobomorales]

09:50 AM on 04/27/2010

This guy Doyle looks like the kind who would do anything for a doughnut.

[Clevelandinwi]

07:41 AM on 04/27/2010

Chubby and his frients are ok with pedophilia?

[Clevelandinwi]

07:40 AM on 04/27/2010

ONE priest makes sense and they want him out. HUH?

[103huffpuff]

12:12 PM on 04/26/2010

I guess the "C.J." , as in C.J. Doyle, must stand for Corpulent Jowls. Let this man cut back on his daily in-take, and we can make a good start at feeding the hungry and poor.

[southernman]

05:01 AM on 04/26/2010

The Pope is a liar.. the catholic church is a lieing hypocrital entity that should never have the authority they have to influence peoples thinking but I say that about all religions. Jesus loves me but hates you.. How do I know? Because he told me so .

[Thinkster]

03:12 PM on 04/25/2010

These guys must think pedophilia is A-OK! Kung is right, the Catholic church is wrong, and the Pope is a criminal that helped his team of pedophiles hide from justice for many years - so much for this church of liers and criminals.

[grf67]

03:56 PM on 04/23/2010

The conservative catholic group is probably part of the coverup.

[PartyPartyParty]

08:48 PM on 04/22/2010

"It is a serious matter when a priest suggests that the Vicar of Christ is a liar," said C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Dedham, Mass.-based group.

Apparently, the FACT that the Vicar of Christ IS a liar is not serious matter.

[mjb5406]

08:34 AM on 04/25/2010

You beat me to it... it is far more serious when someone catches you in the lie.

[Whitley2009]

01:43 PM on 04/25/2010

Keep your male children away from those folks..

[sorrytobeakansan]

07:47 PM on 04/22/2010

Wow, Look at this guy...doesn't he just ooze common sence and compassion? Oh wait I was looking at a different picture (my beagle).

Their is a hot hole in h3ll for a hypocrit.

[navyveteran]

12:15 PM on 04/22/2010

The apologists are out in force, aren't they :) This is exactly why pedophilia is so rampant in the church..... groups like this condemn anyone who speaks out and demands action. This church will never erase this particular stain until all those involved in the sexual abuse of children and those that covered up the abuse and enabled further abuse are sitting in a jail cell.

[Jasel]

09:15 PM on 04/21/2010

Uhh the pope sounds like a liar to me

[Uproar]

04:59 PM on 04/21/2010

Isn't the term "Conservative Catholic" redundant?

[ThinkCreeps]

06:43 PM on 04/21/2010

It is now after Karol the dead pope crushed liberation theology

[mjb5406]

08:36 AM on 04/25/2010

Not at all... there are many liberal Catholics who do not walk in lockstep with all of the Vatican's teachings. That does not make them any less Catholic... just more realistic.

[nmeade56]

04:46 PM on 04/21/2010

Good for him!!! As a Christian I am appalled by this mess and the tendency for people to protect the pope who helped either voluntarily or involuntarily hide a crime. The pope is not the "vicar of Christ:" - he has no special standing in the eyes of God so why should he in the eyes of men.

[thrugreeneyez]

12:35 PM on 04/21/2010

Apparently Catholics are not allowed to criticize the pope or clergy. This dysfunctional view is part of the reason why the vile abuse scandal occured in the first place. The pope should be arrested immediately and thrown in jail. At the very least, he should resign. The pope cared more about the "universal church" then precious children.