Priest’s Porn-lite

Scranton, PA is famous for being the hometown of the best comedies on TV right now: the Office.

The Office has a way, even though it’s fiction, of making me cringe, look away, and change the channel for a moment because of the awkward moments. Well, recently something happened in Scranton that was just as awkward. Unfortunately, it was real.

As if Michael Scott was there in spirit, a local priest was using his computer on Oct. 25 to project an informational DVD about
the annual diocesan fundraiser when four photos were displayed. They
featured what church officials describe as “minimally attired adult
males.”

Woops! That’s awkward.

Now, let’s be clear. The pictures weren’t porn or kids. But the priest has been removed from his position. Sure, Jesus said to turn the other cheek, but I don’t think he meant them to be shown like this. No word yet on where this guy is. One thing we know, he hasn’t gotten a job at the Michael Scott Paper Company, since it has been bought out.

So is that right?

Should he have been demoted, fired, forgiven and left alone? Or is this even a big deal? It would seem that the Catholic Church is in no place to be lenient on stuff like this with all that has happened with regard to sex scandals.

Honestly, I’ll never understand the vow of celibacy Catholic priests take. It’s a burden that seems impossible to carry. Be that as it may, they take it. Even if this guy was married, he shouldn’t be looking at naked, or near-naked, pictures of other people. And he especially shouldn’t have a collection of them on his computer.

There is a level of honesty, integrity, and character a representative of God and follower of Jesus should have. That’s why I think we all know instinctively that this is wrong. This tarnishes trust. Of course, no ones perfect. But I think it’s fair to expect a certain level of ‘perfection’ from a priest. Otherwise, it gives God a bad name.

What say you?