And the Jews rush in to play too!

Not surprisingly a spokesman for American Judaism has denounced Raniero Cantalamessa's likening of child abuse related anti-Catholicism to the "collective violence" against Jews.

Coming on a Good Friday where Benedict would once again be publicly praying for the conversion of Jews, a prayer he re-introduced in 2007 causing anger and offence to many Jews and their leaders, it was a little lacking in tact, discretion and timing. Coming on the back of an increasing feeling that the Roman Catholic Church could have done more to have brought an earlier end to the holocaust (shoah) and perhaps might even have been able to prevent it had it desired, this is throwing petrol on a smouldering wick!

Words might sting but gas chambers, ghettos, death marches and starvation really hurt. Perspective here is perhaps a little lacking.

Of course the Vatican has tried to distance itself from the comments but they demonstrate the same unthinking, 'above it all', attitudes that have promulgated, promoted and (by error and design) supported the abuse of many under its care.

It's obvious that the Roman Catholic Church is under attack and people are obviously feeling the pressure. A speaker on the radio last night pointed to the fact that in some parts of Ireland, the wearing of a dog-collar was an invitation to verbal (and even physical) abuse.

We need to be praying for the victims of these sad and awful acts.

We need to be praying for Benedict that he does the 'right thing' before God rather than assume that the Vatican and the RC plc are above reproach or question.

We need to pray about the damage this is doing and the fuel this is providing for some who seek their own selfish ways by self-justification and attack on the Church. Want an idea of what I mean:

"Thank GOD religion is in decline. Let this be the first big ol' nail in the coffin. Believe in YOURSELF and your OWN abilities and the world will be a much better place without all this religious garbage."

Not a happy day is it?