Priests: Tamping natural desires the problem

According to God's divine plan, humans were directed to multiply and fill the earth. Celibacy, for early Christians, had been optional, freely chosen by some.

With Emperor Constantine's sweeping acceptance of Christianity and the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, many pagan symbols were incorporated to become Christian tradition.

Clergy would be celibate and chaste, so that any wealth they accumulated would revert back to the church upon their deaths. They found other ways to satisfy their natural desires behind the scenes, culminating in a culture of coverups and lies.

The church expanded rapidly by forbidding birth control, resulting in a burgeoning laity, many in dire poverty.

Forgiveness of sins could be purchased from the clergy, authorized to grant indulgences. The illusion of the purity of priests and nuns was paramount. It afforded them respect and immense power.

But they were, and are, human.

For how many centuries have their behaviors, ranging from normal but forbidden to outright heinous crimes, been kept secret? No one knows.

Devastated by revelations of recent years, many yet feel loyalty to the only faith they have ever known.

Compassion is needed for all concerned, even the perpetrators.

Truth will out. And it will make us free.