Boccacio, Decameron, 1.2

"In the collected stories of ... Giovanni Boccaccio (1313 - 75), we read of a Jewish merchant in Paris ...

Comes insight for this article! :)

"Clergy sexual abuse: Toward a redemptive solution

"The solution to the sex abuse crisis must be founded in redemption through Christ..."

By Doctor Gerald P. Corcoran, M.D.


These snippets are from his article in the Homiletic & Pastoral Review, February 2011 edition.

"In the collected stories of the fourteenth-century author and poet Giovanni Boccaccio (1313 - 75), we read of a Jewish merchant in Paris who is considering converting to the Catholic Church.

"Being an astute businessman, however, he first wants to travel to Rome to see how the supposed leader of this intriguing new faith lives his life.

"Fearing that he will be only scandalized by the morals of the Roman clergy, the priests in Paris try to convince him to stay home.

"Unmoved, the Jewish businessman travels to St. Peter's to find only debauchery and licentiousness.

"Returning to France, he is more eager than ever to enter the Catholic Church.

"When the priests in Paris ask how this can be, the Jewish businessman responds ..."


And now, his response!


"To the best of my judgment, I see how your Pastor and all those around him devote their zeal and ingenuity devising how best to ruin and banish the faith from the world.

"But I also see what they so zealously hope to accomplish by their immorality has never come to pass, but -- quite the opposite -- that your religion continually grows and shines more clearly, this to me is a very clear sign that your religion must be more true and holy than any other, for it has the Holy Spirit for its foundation and support (Boccaccio, Decameron, 1.2)."


Doctor Corcoran now makes a telling point from all this!


"Is this not one of the proofs for the authenticity of the Roman Catholic Church, its very existence through two millennia?

"Despite some very corrupt popes and some very malicious Catholics, the Church continues not only to exist but to grow.

"The Holy Spirit must truly be in charge of a body so fragile and so broken..."

Good point, Doctor! :)