I'd just like to say somethings about the recent priest scandal/accusations/crisis

To catch up those who didn't hear, abt 300 Catholic priests from Pennsylvania from a period of 50 years have been accused of sexually assulting/harassing minors

1) that's from long ago. So unfortunately, those priests may not get properly punished, some are dead. But in no way do we think it's nothing. It's worse than a normal person, bc priests are supposed to act as God for the people. Unfortunately, like every human, priests sin too

2) that was less than 2% of priests in Pennsylvania  in that time span. Looking at statistics, in 2012, there were abt 414,313 preists in the United States. Therefore, the accused priests make up 0.072% of that number. SO NOT ALL PRIESTS ARE LIKE THAT!! THE OTHERS ARE LOVING, KIND, AND GOOD!!!!!!

3) laws have been passed since then for further protection. Background checks for not only priests but any faculty member at a Catholic school/parish have been strengthened and are very protective. There are numerous laws within the church now specifically for the safety of youth.

4) read all information carefully. The bishop of my city is under massive hate right now. Why? His name was mentioned five times in the article abt this. Not bc he did anything wrong, but bc he did everything right. He removed the priest from active duty, and made sure the children were safe. But people can't read it enough to see he was in the right.

5) the protesting needs to stop. We're dealing with those priests. But today, my highschool held an all school Mass to celebrate our 60th anniversary. We had the bishop and 6 other priests come to celebrate Mass. But we also had two police officers bc people were worried there could be violence against the priests, bishop, and us students from outsiders. So through the whole Mass, our holiest time, we had to have the police guarding the doors, and we had to be watchful. Our beautiful, sacred time was tainted with fear. All bc people think all priests are like that, when they're not.

6) priests have been beat up, spit on, and publically ridiculed bc of something another did. If I beat you up for the sins of someone across the country, you'd be upset, right? So why are people doing this to priests. Trust me, as much as you and I are horrified by this, the priests are more so. There are bad people of every occupation. And guess what? The already tight requirements will become even stricter now, bc the Catholic Church, especially priests care abt the young people, who are the future of the church.

It disgusts me that a VERY small number of priests acted in this way. But it also disgusts me that priests who are perfectly innocent and kind are facing the consequences. Think guys. Please. I always know that day by day Catholicism grows more and more unwanted in government. I fear at some point, people will want it totally outlawed. That'd kill me. Christ and my faith are what get me through each and every day. Without Catholicism, I'd be only a shell. Bc my faith leads me to God, where all strength, peace, and true happiness comes from. Understand that the church is holy, pure, and Godly. Unfortunately, it's members are not perfect. Some are better than others. We're all striving for heaven, and to be a light for the world. I pray for this matter to be resolved, and for strength for all the innocent priests who are suffering.

Take this away at the very least: be well informed and choose you words and actions carefully. Be educated before you feel you want to speak out abt anything, no matter what it is. Especially if it's very serious.