The problem is not Christ, but the evil done in His name. And that comes down to the power held by authority figures.

This was what caused the Protestant Reformation - common people including former priests and nuns became angry at the ways that priests took advantage of their status. Then of course in places like Ireland, the Protestants in power victimized the Catholics.

The reality is that the Catholic church HAS done a lot of good, and its ministry to the poor, to AIDs victims... particularly groups of nuns such as the Little Sisters of the Poor, have helped many vulnerable people.

At the same time, what was done at the Magdalene Laundries was evil. And hurting innocent children - Jesus Himself said - It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

I also think there was a different attitude towards "church ladies" vs. authority figures - at least this was the impression I got back in the late 1980s when I volunteered with a church group that had a summer half-day school open to local children. It only lasted for a week, but the children really seemed to enjoy it, as we had fun activities like water slides and bouncy castles as well as lessons.

There were several immigrant families from Ireland that were suspicious until they realized we were "church ladies".

And we WERE very kind. We taught the children simple Bible verses that focused on being kind to each other and God's love for them, we played games that engaged them physically or taught them an academic skill, such as playing math puzzles, and we fed them a healthy snack mid-morning and a light lunch at noon, before they were taken for a nap until their parents arrived.

The parents seemed to really appreciate what we did, however, like any religious group, it was not state-sanctioned. I never saw any abusive behavior, but that doesn't mean it never happened.

The problem is that it also happens in public schools. As a public school child in America, I personally witnessed several incidents of abuse by public school teachers with no religious affiliations. Many people become teachers because they genuinely care. Others do it for less savory reasons.

The issue is not the religious affiliation per se so much as that some people should never be given power. That includes those attracted to teaching or the clergy.