The Catholic Church is facing one of its most serious crises, and while the care and concern of so many priests and Bishops was evident as they gathered in Texas this past week to determine how they were going to address the problem and deal with pedophile priests, one is left to wonder what all the discussion is about.

It would seem to us that the rules on handling those who sexually abuse children, whether they’re priests or laity, are already in place in secular law—they must be turned over to the police and given a fair trial and, if found guilty, pay the penalty as determined by man in this life. After that, it will be up to God to determine what their ultimate fate will be.

Apparently, the Church, which is appropriately being chastised for its improper handling of such incidents in the past, is looking for a set of guidelines on which to determine what it must do in the future to protect everyone, including innocent children. That in and of itself is laudible, as is any effort the Church now makes to win back the confidence of God-fearing people everywhere. But those guidelines must not and cannot begin to have application until the Church recognizes that these crimes against children must be addressed in a Court of secular law, and that neither it’s power as a religious organization, nor its fear of scandal eliminates the Church of its obligation to give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.