May 29, 2010.

The Vatican's Promoter of Justice Msgr. Charles Scicluna, who was recently ...

"[T]he point man in the Vatican's investigation into the sex crimes of Legion of Christ founder Fr. Marcial Maciel...

"... dared to suggest that clerical sex abusers will be punished with eternal hellfire ..."


Adapted from the New Oxford Review. July - August 2010.


"Benedict is right to note that priests are in need of pastoral care for themselves.

"Perhaps even more so than laymen,if one puts credence in the recent remarks made by Msgr. Scicluna, the Vatican Promoter of Justice.

"At a May 29 holy hour of reparation for victims of clerical abuse at St. Peter's Basilica, Scicluna, the point man in the Vatican's investigation into the sex crimes of Legion of Christ founder Fr. Marcial Maciel, dared to suggest that clerical sex abusers will be punished with eternal hellfire.

"In fact, he went further, hinting that their state of damnation will be more terrible than that of laymen.

"Quoting Pope St. Gregory the Great's interpretation of the ominous millstone passage in Mark 9:42, Msgr. Scilcuna said: After having taken a profession of holiness, anyone who destroys others through words or deeds would have been better off if their misdeeds had caused them to die in secular dress, rather than, through their holy office, being imposed as an example for others in their sins. Without a doubt, if they had fallen all by themselves, their suffering in Hell would be easier to bear.

"Sobering words indeed; and an important reminder of the awesome responsibilities entrusted to men consecrated to God..."