In a move that shocked many, Pope Francis has decided to reduce the number of penalties for pedophile priests. The Pope thinks that it's only right that pedophile priests be subjected to prayers instead of facing jail time punishment for child abuse within the Catholic church. This move has begged the question as to whether the Pope is part of the agenda to normalize pedophilia?
Citing his vision of a merciful church, the liberal pope claims that pedophile priests should have their punishments reduced to lighter sentences, including a lifetime of prayer.
Sex victims have been disgusted by Pope Francis attempt to normalize pedophilia within the Catholic church based on the fact that he's undoing the work done by his predecessor Pope Benedict.
One of the abuse survivor, Marie Collins, who is also a founding member of Francis' sex-abuse advisory commission expressed apprehension that the penalty were being weakened. Collins argued that pedophiles should be sentenced to jail not prayers, adding that pedophiles are responsible for their actions since they deliberately make a conscious decision to do so.
The Catholic church found one of the priests guilty of abusing young boys, the priests who was known as Reverend Mauro Inzoli was excommunicated for his sinister actions back in 2012. However, Inzoli appealed and then Pope Francis reduced his penalty to a lifetime of prayer, prohibited him from celebrating Mass in public or being near children, barring him from his diocese and ordering five years of psychotherapy.
Unfortunately, Rev. Inzoli had made it a habit and the Italian criminal court convicted him for his sex crimes against five children as young as 12 years. New evidence has also emerged against him and as a result, he is facing a second church trial.
One of the church officials said that some pedophile priests and their high-ranking friends appealed to Pope Francis as they cited pope's own words on mercy in their petitions. However, Many canon lawyers and church authorities argue that by excommunicating pedophiles, the society is at greater risk because the church no longer has control over them, adding that keeping the men in restricted ministry, away from children enables the superiors to exert some degree of supervision.
Ms. Collins emphasized that it's important for the church to consider the message that reduced canonical sentences to abusers and survivors, adding that justice for all parties is equally important.
Pope Benedict XVI barely granted clemency petitions, he excommunicated 800 priests who had raped and molested children in his eight-year papacy.
