You'd think that after the sexual abuse scandal, with which Catholic Church is still dealing, Fox News' official resident clergy, Fr. Jonathan Morris would be a bit circumspect in discussing pedophilia. But, as we saw on this morning's Fox & Friends, Fr. Morris does love those Duggars.
This morning's Sundays with Fr. Morris segment began with video of Duggar patriarch, Jim Bob, whining about about society's high expectations of Christians. Tucker Carlson, a true paragon of Christianity if there ever was one, said that the "question is if the Duggar family is held to a higher standard because they are Christians and their family life has been televised for all these years." He asked if the show should be pulled off the air.
In asking what Fr. Morris thought of the situation, Carlson noted that the family is "in agony." Morris said that we should "think of the victims." He felt that the family responded to the situation "pretty well" because they reported it and obtained professional licensing counseling." (FACT CHECK - Jim Bob Duggar waited a year, after Josh admitted to molesting the girls, to go to the police. The police report also says that "Jim Bob refused to produce Josh for a police-requested interview and stopped cooperating with the probe." The counseling WAS NOT professionally licensed. It was done by the Institute of Basic Life Principles, a Christian centered organization founded by a man who was later charged with sexual abuse. Staff is not required to be licensed and degreed professionals.)
Fr. Morris said that he doesn't think that Josh's continued presence on the show would be appropriate, but that the show should go on without him. The banner advanced the agitprop that the Duggars are being unfairly maligned: "Defending the Duggars, Supporters Claim Family Faces Unfair Attacks." He said that the entire family shouldn't be considered a "bad example" and then made the totally batshit crazy moral equivalency of suggesting that what happened in the Duggar family is no worse than the Kardashians and the "real housewives." (While the reality crew are a bit tacky, there is no, as far as we know, child molestation history.)
The sweet little padre got really agitated as he recounted how everybody wants the Duggars off TV because, they say, "this is so bad for America, this is a bad example..." (Ya think?!) Clayton Morris said "good point" but added that the TV exposure is part of the problem. Fr. Morris couldn't understand why people are saying that these people "are so bad that they shouldn't be allowed on television." He proclaimed "I don't think so."
Fr. Morris expressed "shock" over "secular headlines" which are "rejoicing in the downfall of a family that never said it was perfect." Heather Childers claimed that these nasty secularists aren't concerned about the children. The banner "Fall From Grace, Duggars' Wholesome Family Image Takes a Hit." After he asked why the information was leaked, Carlson said that it was done because people "hate" the family for their views.
Fr. Morris reiterated that there are other "bad examples" on TV and that it would be unfair if the Duggar show were cancelled. Tucker Carlson engaged in some patented Christian right transphobia: "They're not heroes like Bruce Jenner." (Notice he didn't use Jenner's new female name.) Clayton Morris predicted great ratings for the show if it remains on the air.
If Carlson weren't so enamored of the Duggars, he might have considered their Christian hypocrisy which allows them to say stuff like child molesters should get the death penalty and that LGBT folks are a "danger to children." But no, nothing to see here, just some minor child molestation that was dealt with so why not bring the Duggars back to TV. After all, they are Christian and not as bad as the Kardashians so, why not!
I guess you might see that as “…simply responding as Jesus would…with love and mercy.”
I see that as a CHURCH organization hiding the criminal activities of individuals who betrayed the trust they were given by the CHURCH. There were also payments made to accusers in order to sweep this under the rug. This is a betrayal of the Parrish members, who he serves, and not me or any non-members.
Imagine the outrage if, for example, a Boy Scout leader was caught buggering young boys and the BSA paid off the parents of the kids and quietly moved the troop leader to another area so that he would likely have a fresh batch of young boys to try buggering.
“…all because of the actions of a few.”
I think you may need to use Google or another search engine to become more familiar with subjects like the “CHURCH.”
It seems like more than a “a few” are in charge of hiding these criminal acts and sanctioning the payments to the accusers.
But thank you for your comment.
Don’t be overly inflammatory. Let’s not go overboard.
Be civil. No personal attacks.
Some of the reactions/comments listed here are very unkind and definitely NOT abiding by this site’s rules…
Fr. Morris is simply responding as Jesus would…with love and mercy. He is certainly not condoning pedophilia in this case…or in any case ever… It is true that Christians should seek to be good examples. It is also true that Christians, like everyone else, fall short. Young Christians, like all young people, tend to make more mistakes due to their age and lack of maturity. I would not hesitate to say that I myself and the others who made these comments listed here would hate to have people look into our lives with such intensity. I’m sure we’ve all made mistakes that we would rather not be brought to light in such a manner. We are ALL so blessed to have a God who yearns to love and forgive us…no matter what.
There are way too many wonderful, Godly priests who live out their lives in a loving, self-sacrificing way. I get sick of hearing people bash all priests for the horrific crimes of a tiny minority…
It’s ridiculously unfair to bitterly criticize the entire CHURCH FOUNDED BY CHRIST and the many, many good men who serve the Church…all because of the actions of a few.
