PLATFORM : No Perfect Religion

BETH ELLIS of Laguna Niguel, a Catholic, commented on the recent admission by Archbishop Robert Sanchez of Sante Fe, N.M., that he’d had sexual relationships with three women. She told The Times:

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It’s unfortunate that incidents like this have happened. But are not men of the clergy human? Are they not prey to the same temptations that we all face in our day-to-day existence?

Like police officers, politicians or other people in our society whom we deem to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, it seems that whenever these people fall, we are all too quick to pick up the stone. But if Archbishop Sanchez really did commit these acts, then he must answer for it.

Whether he should be allowed to remain in the church is a decision that should not be taken lightly. The church can no longer sweep its problems under the rug, but its decision must be of compassion and not reaction.

As for my faith in my church, it has never been stronger. The church and those who carry the word of Jesus are only human. It’s not a perfect religion. But I cannot think of any other religion I would want to be. And one of the reasons is the imperfections of it. Like us, the church is not free from sin.