Pope should

not resign

Regarding Richard Mack’s appeal for the pope’s resignation (Letters, May 7):

How ridiculous can we get? There is nothing rational enough in this letter to deserve a reply but I’m too irritated to let it go. Can Richard name any names of pedophilia priests or should a giant witch hunt begin? There are almost half a million priests in the world, should the pope sit down and talk to each one in such a way to determine criminal tendencies?

There are already legal remedies in place for victims to pursue. It might surprise Richard to know that it is not the Roman bishop’s job to run another bishop’s diocese. It’s like a military chain of command. Should we expect the commander-in-chief to resign because a few of his chiefs allowed some petty officers to continue working despite accusations?

Or if we really want to light the fire, how about those superintendents of the hundreds of public school districts where known child offenders were and are allowed to teach?

There is of course no excuse for individual sins against children, and no excuse for those bishops who failed to take appropriate action. But, seriously Richard . . . asking the pope to resign? Get real.

Steven Peck

Oak Harbor