Courtesy of Standard-Examiner, https://www.standard.net/opinion/cartoons/cartoons-wolves-in-priests-clothing/article_5ab23648-a66a-5f8d-a162-bb6108eb6722.html
From his photo, Fr. Robert McWilliams, 40, would appear jovial and harmless. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Ohio priest has been indicted for child pornography, child exploitation, and juvenile sex trafficking [1]. McWilliams had been on administrative leave following a 2019 arrest for possession of child pornography.
McWilliams posed as a woman on social media to entice young boys into providing explicit photos/videos of themselves. He then threatened to share the embarrassing material with their family and friends, if victims did not provide him additional material.
Some of McWilliams’ victims were known to him from his work as a parish priest.
Cleveland’s Bishop Nelson Perez has expressed the willingness of the Diocese to cooperate with law enforcement.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7; 15).
—
[1] CNN, “Ohio priest indicted on charges of child pornography and juvenile sex trafficking, US attorney says” by Rob Frehse, 7/3/20, https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/03/us/ohio-priest-child-pornography-sex-trafficking-indictment/index.html.
ProPublica has released a consolidated list of 6754 priests accused of sexual abuse. For details, see https://jezebel.com/propublica-releases-a-list-of-6-754-priests-accused-of-1841307746.
FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
I have to say, Anna, that having been educated in Jesuit schools mostly by priests, I had never even heard of such things. All the priests I met during my school years were stand up men with dignity and commitment to the cause of education and the Christian Faith. However, during the nineties, when I moved to Florida, I started noticing something strange with many of the priests I met, either through my profession or by attending Mass…I cannot understand this severe and terrible problem but it must be stopped from the point of view of the law and from within the Church itself. It’s as if some kind of evil has infiltrated the ranks of those who should be followers of Christ and holy. Thank you Anna, as always, an informative and important post.
Raised as a Roman Catholic, I, too, am greatly saddened that this problem has become so prevalent in the church. The falsehood seems to have spread that sex w/ children does not “count” against the vow of chastity. Or perhaps the problem is simply a result of power corrupting. I honestly do not know. Undoubtedly, there are still thousands of priests who do good work. That fact gets overshadowed by these scandals.
Absolutely. I also don’t understand why this problem exists but for the sake of all those innocent children who believe in their priests and who want to participate in the Church, it has to stop and the only ones who can really do something to eradicate this problem is the Vatican. All the best Anna.
All the best to you, Francisco. ❤
A good example of Evil hiding behind what should be good.
So right, Nanette.
This literally makes me feel sick to my stomach. I’m praying for the victims of this monster.
I agree, Linda.
I sincerely hope that the Catholic authorities will not hinder the investigation into this man’s alleged sex crimes as they have done in so many other cases. These predators are beyond reprehensible and should never be free to prey upon innocent children. Such heinous acts should warrant the most severe punishment allowable.
I could not agree more, Ron.
Possessors of child pornography should not be on unsupervised administrative leave for we know what will likely happen next.
I agree.
😢😢😢 God come quickly and save the innocent from evil I pray.
This world is getting darker each day.
A sign hopefully of Jesus soon return
Amen!
Dear Anna, where would your readers and countless others be without your wonderful heart and soul to fill with God’s grace an empty part of their lives. Blessings, Lance.
Oh, Lance. You warm my heart. God, of course, gets the credit for whatever good you see in me. But I will strive to live up to your high opinion. Blessings, A. ❤
Anna, you are an exceptional person, a child of God… a wonderful blessing. Peace and light, dear friend.
I can the same about you, my dear friend.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughtfulness, Anna.
Thank you for sharing this here. The Catholic church (and the Protestant church) has done a lot of good over the years. There are beautiful, committed Christians in all of Christendom. At the same time it is crucial that we exposer the works of darkness both for the sake of the innocent victims, and for the name and sake of Christ.
Exactly.
Perversion seems to be hidden in every facet of society..
Pure and lovely are difficult to find anymore,except in the presence of God and His word. It may sound odd ,but it is more disturbing when someone who claims to follow God commits such heinous acts..
I agree w/ you, Mary. Those who hold themselves out as committed to a higher ethical and moral standard should live by that standard (and be judged by it). “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3: 1). Not only are victims of clerical abuse violated sexually. They are violated by someone in the position of a parent — someone who should be entirely trustworthy.
“Jesus wept” and He does, He weeps with us. It’s heartbreaking how many predators call themselves ‘men of God’, it’s heartbreaking to watch our youth turn away from God because of the pain and perversion these men cause.
Yes, He weeps w/ us. Realization of that fact is what finally restored my faith.
Nonetheless, children who experience physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect are at least 2-3 times more likely to commit suicide later in life. See, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109192533.htm.
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18: 6). I take great consolation from that.
💔
It’s sad that here, the Church is subjected to the State”s safeguarding policies. It’s like we no longer lead the way in terms of morality, but have to be monitored by a non-Christian entity. It is humiliating–we are supposed to be the ones judging the world and angels (I Corinthians 6)!
You make an excellent point. These violations of the innocent by clergy are profoundly damaging to our Christian witness.
I believe that we are in the age of apostasy. Praying that the Holy Spirit will fill every Christian to give them discernment. Christ is coming soon–our hope, and then the goats will be separated from the sheep, and He will rule with justice and righteousness. x
Exactly.
Hello, Anna. I am a student of yours in that I’m constantly learning about compassion for our fellow human beings. Through your continued teachings, you give new hope, new guidance to the needy in a selfish society. Blessings, my dear friend.
You are such a dear friend, Lance. I cannot imagine that I have anything to teach you. But I welcome your company on the journey. ❤ ❤ ❤
Anna, I’m very appreciative of your thoughtfulness, dear friend. Blessings.
That is a disturbing news story. Evil men walk among us. Thanks for sharing.
Far too many, Chris. That there are, also, good men like you is a great consolation.
This is the problem. Cruel mentality is making the world a vulnerable place. People should be taught ethics and values from a very young age.
I fully agree.
Romans 2:24 comes to mind: “For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'”
You are so right.
Pingback: The catholic church, sex scandals, and solutions | lovehappinessandpeace