Is the Catholic church on its way out?
I hope not.I was reading an article about the mess they are in and noticed a comment posted by someone.It said something to the effect that disillusioned catholics shouldn't leave the church,but stay and fight.That set me thinking.The church is made up of its members-there is no church without the laity.The clergy need to run the church but they are not the church.So mass migrations out of the catholic church does no good.We need to stay and fight.
Start on a smaller level -at your church.Ask the clergy to sign an agreement that says they agree to be prosecuted by law enforcement and not the internal officilas if any accusations of improper behaviour surfaces.The is no possibility of a cover up if the entire parish is involved in this agreement.There is no embarassment in this. I know your parish priest might be above reproach,so an agreement, in theory, should not inconvenience to anyone right?After all it might never ever be used.
The laity should be asked to go directly to law enforcement and NOT to the church officials in the event of something happening.After so much having happened, the church is still dragging its feet when it comes to taking concrete steps towards mitigating this.So there is no assurance that in the future ,it is going to be any different.Self protection seems to be the norm,so the laity might as well take it up.The decision making should be in the hands of the laity-not the clergy.
How come we let the clergy decide how we make love,or what contraception we use,but we sit back and let them decide(so disastrously) on such a major issue?
More reaction from the laity is what is missing.Where is the righteous indignation?

BTW This is for Shany who inspired me to blog again!!