But before I mention a few others, I need to address some issues which might cause some consternation out there. The first regards a comment that was made to me after I posted a list of "others" on a listserv. I received a private message accusing me of being "disturbingly" anti-catholic. In other words I was supposedly picking on the catholics. No, I'm not picking on the poor ole catholics; rather I'm following in the footsteps of the Pope himself...pointing out some other areas in which the RCC's policies have resulted in problems.

This bridges over into the second issue, why not critique all religions, not just the catholics? Well, yes...I could have and yes, some of the things I will mention could also be laid at the feet of other religions. But I want to stay within the framework the Pope established and try to follow the bouncing catholic ball.

One other issue I probably should mention is...aren't there other causes and sources for some of the things I will mention? Are these the "fault" of simply or merely the RCC (or other religions, too)? No, they're not...there are other sources, too...but again, the RCC has done what they have done and the existence of other causes doesn't diminish that responsibility.

The last issue is whether all of some of these things were intentional. Any good sociologist knows that not all results are tied to specific intentions. So, there may be some or some aspects of them which are quite unintended...but...they happened, nonetheless. Lack of intentions doesn't diminish responsibility either.

So, there...now just what other things could the Pope have apologized for, huh?

One could start with their contribution to the over-population of the world, especially in areas clearly dominated by Catholic practices...namely, the RCC's ban on birth control. As a result, they have contributed to the hunger and suffering of literally millions of people...children and adults. The unparalleled authoritarianism on all levels of the RCC has dominated millions of people...telling them what and how to think...creating untold guilt when RCC members violated the arbitrary and self-serving commands of the catholic clergy...not to mention the guilt-generated "self-control" within these members. This learned-submission and abject dependency created by the RCC and its functionaries and doctrines has led to countless millions who couldn't do a thing in their lives without consulting their priest...not to forget the need to submit to their dictates. Thus, as a direct result of this dependency and submission, millions of people experienced stunted maturity and growth as individuals...essentially unable to consider any alternative ways of living and growing. All these "sins" highlight the rampant and self-righteous dishonesty and hypocrisy of the Catholic Church...resulting from the enforcement of their doctrines.

Then, one should include the countless unwanted pregnancies endured by women and men due to the RCC's ban on not only birth control but also abortions. Also, one can't forget the more than a few unhappy marriages kept intact due to the RCC's ban on divorce...with accompanying problems of spousal abuse, child abuse, and very unhappy people, period.

Furthermore, due to the doctrine of Celibacy, the sexual frustrations of priests and nuns is legion. The unnatural repression of sexual urges has resulted in some very unhappy people...with subsequent "outlets" of aggression aptly applied to those they had charge over. And...as is quite plain these days, a spawning of pedophilia on the part of priests and, although less publicized, also nuns, can be linked to this vow of Celibacy. In essence, the RCC has contributed greatly to the use of doublethink, that ability to consciously hold contradictory ideas and to just as consciously forget you do...on the part of its members and clergy alike.

Lest you think I have no sense of humor about all this, one might say...with tongue firmly in cheek...that the RCC has contributed to cannabalism (the "blood" and "body" of Christ), sore knuckles, "bad habits", excessive candle-making, and the resulting fire hazards in their churches.

So, am I being anti-catholic? I don't think so, obviously. Am I being too harsh on this organization which ranks...at least in my book...as possibly the most dehumanizing organization this planet has ever seen? Am I ignoring their supposedly "pro-social" practices which some claim has helped countless people live their lives? Ignoring? No, just discounting...dwarfed by the "sins" they have inflicted on its members and the rest of us, too. But probably the greatest of their "sins" is that it has taken the Roman Catholic Church so long to even begin to address their effects on the world.

So, if the RCC wants us to appreciate their "apologies," then they could go just a bit further than their Pope did. Of course, I'm not holding my breath...but that's my take on it.

What's yours?

David H. Kessel