When clerical leaders resist anti-predator reforms ...

When clerical leaders resist readily-implemented reforms that would protect parishioners from sexual predators, we cannot help but think of cases like the Rev. Marcial Maciel Degollado.

He was a successful, conservative lion of the faith whose victims were, perhaps until public apologies began this week as the facts emerged, themselves widely accused.

Power and trust need not come with a license to abuse, no matter what the denomination.