"I've served 25 years on a life sentence for rape."

"We shouldn't be priests, but we can be converted and used by God."



Adapted from a letter to the editor of The Catholic World Report, October 2009.

Authored by inmate Mr. Charles Oliver. Central State Prison. Macon, Georgia.


"I imagine that some priests involved in sexual abuse entered the priesthood in order to have power over potential victims.

"Certainly, where there is no repentance there can be no conversion, but it's been my experience that sex offenders often desperately seek conversion and find that God can and will cleanse them.

"But how dare anyone say that God cannot be victorious in anyone's life.

"This seems to be the current tone.

"I've served 25 years on a life sentence for rape.

"I've met many good Christian men in here, including many Protestant ministers, who through repentance and contrition have known daily conversion of the heart.

"One friend was molested by a priest at his school and then committed the same crime himself against a youth.

"None of us want your sympathy, but we do ask that you acknowledge the greatness of a God that can change any sinner into a saint.

"We shouldn't be priests,* but we can be converted and used by God..."

*Too bad Archbishop Patricio Flores never thought like this inmate does! :)