In my first few days as editor of The Universe, the leading English-language Catholic newspaper, I had a long conversation with the monsignor who was a member of the board, an adviser to the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, and who wrote a religious "Agony Aunt" column for us.
Sample Question: I am no longer a virgin; is it permissible for me to get married in church in a white dress? Answer: Your marriage marks the beginning of your new life with God's blessing; you should happily wear a white dress to mark the purity of your new life.
But for all his generally liberal views, the monsignor was adamant on one thing: one sin that cried to heaven for vengeance was sexual abuse against children — because it was abuse of innocence and purity. This was way back in 1987.
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