“Is the Catholic church a force for good?” was the recent Intelligence Squared debate on BBC World.
Surely the answer is obvious?
Pope lovers in the red corner were represented by Nigerian Archbishop John Onaiyekan and British Member of Parliament and ultra-Conservative, Ann Widdecombe.
Facing off against this unlikely duo were the Anglo/American author and journalist Christopher Hitchens and actor, writer and general raconteur Stephen Fry.
Onaiyekan and Widdecombe try taking the moral high-ground pointing to the moral guidance the church offers and it´s charitable work around the World.
Hitchens and Fry completely let rip in eloquent vitriol. Hitchens focuses in on the lies spread about condoms resulting in the deaths of millions of Africans susceptible to HIV and AIDS, whilst Fry plays the “i´m lovable, humorous and gay and the church hates me” card.
The swing against the church at the end of the hour-long debate is colossus, and the look of disbelief on the faces of Onaiyekan and Widdercombe is totally priceless. Clearly embarrassed by the hammering, the presenter expresses an apology to the Archbishop and the MP.
You can find this programme on Youtube by clicking here.
This week saw the publication of the much awaited Dublin report looking at the systematic rapes and serious assaults committed by Irish priests on children over many decades, and their crimes covered up.
LJ sends me over this article from the Irish Times pointing out he is too scared to put it up on Facebook. I am too, but it really should be read.
I mention to LJ the most shocking thing about the report is i´m not the least bit shocked. I just feel completely sickened.
It would be completely naive to think this problem of priest abuse is limited to Ireland. So far, I can find no comment from the Pope on this matter. If he has any sense of dignity and remorse he would he would immediately disband the Catholic church and give away its multi-billion dollar empire to the disadvantaged and abused. I won´t be holding my breath on this one though; this ex-Nazi Pope clearly has no decency or sense of morality. Infallible my ass!
