An earlier writer, referred to the "Bishops of old" as being the ones who upheld the appropriate care of the dogmas and were exemplary in behavior guarding their flocks. However, they too have injured their flocks, inallowing abuse of minors to persist for so long. Today we reap the rewards of their behaviors.

From the pew, it appears to this lay person that the Vatican offers little support to the American Catholic Bishops who are attempting, though late it may be, to correct long overdue errors. The Vatican has always seemed to be preoccupied with protection of the rights of Priests even when it meant sacrificing the flock they were in charge of, so why would American Catholics be surprised with the latest suggestions of the Vatican and concern that the Priests are protected. Priests have been protected for decades, while the Laity have been abused. Allegations continue to surface, many Catholics continue to feel preyed upon and the heirarchy of this Roman Catholic Church has not resored a sense of genuine confidence and trust. It is not the responsibility of the laity to trust that the Bishops, Cardinals and Pope will to see to our welfare. It is now the responsibility of the Clergy to give us a reason to trust and act responsibly. One Boston Cardinal, who has been shown to be one of the most notorious offenders in moving priests about his Diocese, while they continued to practice pedophilia, recently expressed concern for the victims and stated he played a part in such. How hollow his words ring. Too little too late. As the sexual abuse issues have made it very clear, a "Good Catholic", is not one who closes his/her eyes and goes on to ignore the weaknesses, but one who questions, brings the flaws into the light and goes forward to mend and strengthen the broken vessel. Thank God for the Media in this case, who finally exposed the flaws, on a grand scale and made us all open our eyes. We Roman Catholics do not have to like it but we cannot ignore it nor allow our Bishops ignore it any more. To lead one must have followers...