False
Churches, False Brethren, False Gospels
Dutch priests belonged to Satanic pedophile club
AP
The head of a Catholic religious order in the Netherlands has
confirmed that many priests belonged to an organization that
promotes pedophilia.
Herman Spronck, head of the Dutch arm of the Salesian order, said
in a statement Friday the priests belonged to the "Martijn"
organization, which is widely reviled but not illegal.
"Of course we reject this and distance ourselves from this
personal initiative" on the part of the priest, Spronck's
statement said.
"Membership in such organizations does not fit with the ethos of
the Salesian order."
However, RTL Nieuws, which broke the story, published interviews
which they defend some pedophile relationships.
"Society thinks these relationships are harmful. I disagree," RTL
quoted Van B. as saying. He served on Martijn's board from 2008
until 2010, when the organization's founder was arrested for
alleged possession of child pornography. That case is ongoing.
RTL quoted Spronck as saying that "formally I always say that
everyone must obey the law. But these relationships do not
necessarily have to be damaging."
Spronck and his organization could not be reached late Friday for
comment.
Thousands of past cases of alleged sexual abuse by priests are
under investigation by an independent — but Church-funded —
commission in the Netherlands. It is headed by a former government
minister, Wim Deetman.
The Dutch church, which has more than 4 million members, first set
up a body to deal with abuse allegations in 1995. But the
independent commission was formed last year after shocking abuse
cases were uncovered here at the same time similar stories were
snowballing in neighboring Germany.
Several of the first and most prominent abuse cases that have come
to light in the Netherlands have also involved Salesian priests.