Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland
Pastor: Colin Maxwell. Email: colin.maxwell@fpcmission.org
LETTER SENT TO: IRISH TIMES
SUBJECT: SEX ABUSE IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
DATE SENT: 23-10-02
Dear Sir,
Human depravity is such that there will always be people in positions
of leadership who will betray their trust and abuse children. While
this is not confined to the Church of Rome alone, yet the mindset of
this church gave greater liberty to paedophiles than any other church
grouping.
First of all, the idea that Canon Law has precedence over the Civil Law
hampers all investigations by the civil authorities. The Scripture
which teaches that we are to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29)
relates only to those laws which would prohibit the free worship of God
and the propagation of the gospel. They were never intended to shield
criminals from the judicial system.
Secondly, the idea that the good of the community must override the
good of the individual singly failed those who have been abused. When
people did come forward with their complaints, they were silenced to
protect the "greater good" i.e. the Church. Individualism has been
blamed upon the Protestant Reformation, yet it was vigorously embraced
in the weekly trek to the Confessional Box. It will, of course, be
embraced in the Day of Judgement when "Everyone shall give an account
of himself to God" (Romans 14:12)
Lastly, the idea that the Church will withstand the gates of hell in
Matthew 16:18 was claimed exclusively by Rome alone. It actually
relates to the whole body of people whose faith is Bible based,
whatever denomination they profess. No one denomination or church
grouping is infallible. Paul warned the Church at Rome to be not "high
minded but fear…lest God also spare not thee" (Romans 11:21)
Infallibility belongs to God alone.
Yours faithfully,
Colin Maxwell
* ONLINE EDITION OF OUR BOOKLET ON ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SEX ABUSE
Index of other letters on many subjects sent