The individuals who abuse children and vulnerable people use their position of power. As society gives positions of power through for example, the ballot box, the Church gives power to priests through ordination, which in turn gives them a power over the parishioners.

Sadly as we have seen to out horror, many priests abuse that privileged position. Thus I would call upon his Holiness the Pope to defrock such people and not let them have that privilege. We can look after them once they are defrocked and come out of prison as we should anyone who calls upon us for help.

However, for them to have the power and respect which comes with being a priest after abusing a child is a sin against God; who tells us through our teachings in the church very clearly what should happen to such people, whether they be members of the laity or clergy.

Maybe defrocking would then give a message to the wider world that the Catholic Church does mean that it wants to protect our children and the vulnerable.

Pray that His Holiness does take this step. Maybe it will lead to a situation where we can begin to have less suspicion of and more respect for the priests and wider church.

Again, call for more accountability and openness and question why priest must live alone; they need to be in houses where they are working with their peers who should question their behaviour. That should be their and our God given duty; protect our children and the vulnerable!