The Catholic Church doesn't need help shooting itself in the foot. A bunch of detached old men who don't realize what the world is like have already done that far better than any government COULD do.

The Church needs two things in my admittedly arrogant-sounding opinion...

1) Positive publicity. Highlight the good deeds. Don't get all wrapped up in arguments that make you look out of touch, inflexible and clueless to what your own parishoners are doing in 95%-5% numbers.

2) When the defecation hits the rotary oscillator - POLICE YOURSELF. Don't hide. Cooperate with authorites - if members of the heirarchy are committing criminal acts then they should be *prosecuted*. I fail to see why it's so difficult to say "This person was obviously not working towards God's grace and we shall not shield him from due process".

Americans have show time and time again that we are a forgiving people. Admit your mistake, improve yourself and get on with things.