So what is it with the Church? Last week we were hearing about a paedophile choirmaster who was sent to prison for abusing boys, and then this week, it's a parish priest.

Over the years, we have had to listen to the Church pontificate as to why church numbers are dropping off, and they don't see a link. Despite it's pleadings to the contrary, the Church still has dirty old men involved at a grass roots level, dirty old men (and young men) who like children. Worse than this though, is the fact that the Church is doing a good job at covering it up!

As right-minded individuals, shouldn't we be saying no. If the clerical hierarchy is incapable or unwilling to act, surely the Government and the judiciary should be getting involved and thoroughly investigating. If the Church is found guilty of protecting these perverts, surely the Church itself should be sanctioned?

In my view, the sanctions should be limitless. Time after time over hundreds of years, the Church has operated above and outside the law. Now it is time for this to stop. It's no good the Bishop of Bath and Wells telling us that the Church has to take some responsibility for the priest in Clevedon. The Church has to take all the responsibility for hiding this sick man and allowing him to commit child-abuse. Surely the Church is commiting this abuse by proxy?