Rev. John O'Reilly was accused of and found guilty for sexually abusing a minor when he was chaplain at a school in the capital of Chile. There have also been accusations made saying that he also abused pre-teen girls between 2007 and 2011. Prosecutors are asking the Rev. to serve ten years in prison and to be banned from any job involving children. O'Reilly has denied all accusations made against him.
(The link might be blocked, but it was not blocked when I found the article.)
Do you think that Rev. John O'Reilly is innocent or guilty? Do you think that the Catholic Church is losing its credibility due to these scandals repeatedly popping up?
-- Edited by Amber Kennedy on Wednesday 15th of October 2014 06:05:48 PM
I think that Rev. O'Reilly is guilt since there had been multiple accusations against him about abusing minors. The punishment given to him seems fitting, and the fact that he's a reverend who sexually abusing kids is shocking since he's supposed to be a man of faith and someone that people of all ages can turn to for help and guidance. The Catholic Church is losing some credibility because of these scandals but I believe that people who turn away from Catholicism just because of them. Most people wouldn't assume that all reverends/priests/etc are like this.
I believe O'Reilly is guilty of sex-abuse on these children. There is something to be said about these continued cases of sexual abuse popping up around the Catholic Church, however, I think it is more important we do not categorize all Catholics into the same category. Not all people of this religion participate in such irresponsible and illegal activities.
O'Reilly seems to be guilty because many people are accusing him, even in the past years. It should not loose its credibility because it was just that person and many people have nothing to do with it.
I think that Rev. John O'Reilly is guilty of sexually abuse minors. I think that people are starting to lose respect for the Catholic Church because of these acts, but I know many Catholics and none of them are like that at all.
John O'Reily seems guilty of the charges being presented to him. He does have a past of people accusing him and has never received any kind of external help.
The Priest was found guilty and unless new evidence comes up he is guilty. Also, this problem within the Catholic Church has been a little to common but I have faith in the new man in charge: Pope Francis to tackle the issue and bring about social justice as he seems so fond of doing. The Pope has made it clear that sex abuse within the Church will not be tolerated, if he continues his policy, I think the cases of sex abuse within the church will go down. I really like Pope Francis by the way.
I have always wondered if scandals like this have appeared to be more widespread/common than they actually are because of the ease in which information and news travels. Sensationalizing anything stands the risk of blowing things up and ruining reputations. The Catholic Church is overall a good institution that seeks to do good in this world. I say let justice run its course before we make any conclusions of our own.
I think that O'Reily is guilty because of the multiple accusation made against him. Obviously if they are threatening to put him in prison for 10 years he is most likely going to deny doing anything wrong. However I believe he deserves to be sent there and restricted from any job involving children. The fact that he works for the church and is accused of sexual abuse relfects badly on them and they should lose credibility if scandals like this keep poping up.
My thoughts on this, Zachary, is that there are probably no more pedophile priests then there are pedophile garbage men. The only difference is that a priest demands way more authority over people than a garbage man does. This allows a priest to act upon a child unlike a garbage man would be able to. On a personal note I have to disagree with the notion that the catholic church is a good institution that seek to do good in the world. All I see the church do is try to spread their hateful and outdated morals on people which I see as reprehensible.
I don't think the Catholic church is losing it's credibility because these scandals did not involve everyone in the Catholic church it was individuals who made poor decisions.
Guilty or not it does lower the credibility of the church to have these types of scandals, especially if the priest is continuing with that church. Minors are definitely influenced by their younger experiences. If children are taught at a young age that you can sexually abuse someone and not be punished; they are going to subconsciously believe that it is acceptable, no matter what they have been taught.
