Father Kang scam, wat do u guys tink?

last SG · 2004-05-17T18:46:55+00:00

Ok, today ST very touching. Father Kang wanted to unfreeze his asset to return them to the Catholic Church.

stupidissmart SG

If we do not judge father kang just because everyone sins, then we cannot judge saddam hussein, osama bin laden or the killers tat cut down the american head. Everyone sins isn't it ? Since everyone sin, does tat means those who sin in crime shouldn't be punish ? Then we should release all the criminals in the jail or stop all legislation now. Policemen should all be fired and lawyers r not necessary anymore. Let the cities run riot and allow the strong to bully the weak.

For your info, judging and laws etc is necessary to protect the weak and to preserve orderly. Bringing and discussing tis issue can served as a deterent

frOst^~^nOva SG

If everyone is like that, our society is finished

Yeah i think it's quite true... our society is constantly disintegrating day by day....sad to say, but what was once thought as wrong in the past has become acceptable today.

Your comparison is invalid. It can be argued Jesus was saving the woman's life but we are not trying to kill Father Kang isn't it? It is a great leap to equate condemning in our case (verbal abuse at the most) to taking a life.

Yeah i know my comparision is kinda off there but i just feel tt ppl are making a big hoo ha abt his case which basically is just misappropriation of funds. Although some might say tt this is serious because he is a priest and he is misusing the church funds, but who here is sinless? So i just mean tt we should all give him a break and stop even the verbal abuse.

Icemoon SG

Ya ... who here is sinless? But you must understand priests are not any normal people in the Catholic world. They have the power to administer penance! The Catholic clergy is Christ's representative on Earth. Which protestant pastor has this power? Rolling Eyes

Most importantly, Father Kang does not appear penitent.

SingaporeMacross SG

I was thinking…what if he didn’t do it? What if there was a mistake somewhere? Of course if he is a thief then he better take the punishment.

frOst^~^nOva SG

Yeah i agree with you that he doesn't appear remorseful. Maybe he felt tt wat he has done is right, only he knows. anyways this discussion would go on forever and ever because there are so many ways to look at it but i must admit, this incident is a stain on the Catholic community in Singapore. Hopefully we'll all still remain strong in our faith. Surprised

Icemoon SG

When a politican is involved in such a scam, most likely he will be sacked or voluntarily leave office. What about a priest? Exocommunicate him? Is there a double standard?

Maybe not exocommunicate. Just strip him of his priestly office. Become a commoner. Very Happy

PS: He wear white right? Follow the PAP rule lah - "better be whiter than white" Mr. Green

Guest009 SG

I think it should have been settled within the church and not in court. Other then that, I cant really comment because I think alot of the case rests on his motives. And we dont know his true motives do we? If he really meant for the money to be used for good, that is allow the homeless to stay in the apartments he bought or give it to a missionary group then it would be a good thing. But if that was what he intended, he would have told the truth. Its possible for christians to fall into sin even and especially for good christians. Those who does the most work for God are often the ones being tempted.

Icemoon SG

What you mean? This is a criminal case and the State should be involved.

frOst^~^nOva SG

Hmmm i think it's not up to ask to decide what punishment he should get. If he feels tt he's not worthy to be a priest anymore, he will automatically step down. Cool

SingaporeMacross SG

I read somewhere in the Canon Law that anyone who usurps Church property is excommunicated. But it says that usurp is different from stealing. Anyone knows what this means?

Guest009 SG

This is where separation of church and state actually comes in. Matters of the church should be settled by the church and not by the state. The issue was really concering Father Kang, the church and the people whos money was taken. The Matthew 18 prinicple, settle the issue with the brother who sins against you, therefore the matter should have been settled within the groups of people I mentioned above.

Icemoon SG

Ok, so he was punished by the Catholic Church also. Read http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/top/story/0,4136,58924-1082908740,00.html -

ON top of his jail sentence, he will also undergo spiritual counselling. But Father Joachim Kang will still be a priest though not allowed to perform the functions of a priest, such as conducting Mass and prayers.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia, head of the estimated 160,000-strong Catholic community here, announced the decision after Father Kang was sentenced to 7 1/2 years jail yesterday.

How did the State come to know of the incident? Someone bao-toe?

stupidissmart SG

Wat can a church do ? If things can only be settled inside the church, then I will apply to be a father as well. I will try to get my hand on as much fund as possible and when I was caught, I will refuse to hand in the money. If the church is not happy with me, then Sack me lah ! I will take the money and the church will not have any power to force the money out of me !

State and church seperated ? Does a priest have the power to commit crimes such as molesting little boys or raping just because he is in the church ? Why is it so difficult to understand tat molesting and cheating millions are both criminal acts. He has committed a criminal act, which is criminal breach of trust and tat is why the power of the state comes in. BTW he hand in the money only after he was put on trial.

Please take note tat father in catholic sense cannot hold property or cash themselves. The catholic group or something also acknowledge he has commmited wrong and deserve to be on trial. Do u think this group has made a bad decision or u have more internal information on him ?

Guest009 SG

Do you know what Matthew 18 says? First settle it within yourselves, then with witnesses, then bring it to the church. In my opinion If that does not settle it, then go to court. No, the church should not be allowed to commit crimes. It is my opinion that church matters should be settled in church. Killing someone or raping someone is not a church matter. But the money is. It was a church member's donation to the church which was taken and by te church priest and used for his own benefit. He has commited a sin and even a crime, I am not saying he did not. But I do think that the group has made a mistake in handling the situation. A bad example would be if I gave my friend money because he said it is for charity organization, but he takes the money and uses it to buy a car for himself. The matter is really between me, him and the organization, not the government. By the way, all of the above is just my opinion.

Icemoon SG

A bad example would be if I gave my friend money because he said it is for charity organization, but he takes the money and uses it to buy a car for himself. The matter is really between me, him and the organization, not the government.

So you're saying it should be a civil court case which the State is not involved by default lah.

SingaporeMacross SG

When you say father in catholic sense are you referring to the priest? A priest is allowed to own property and cash, if he does not take the vow of poverty. He is also allowed to invest in shares and property.

Guest009 SG

Originally posted by Icemoon:
[b]A bad example would be if I gave my friend money because he said it is for charity organization, but he takes the money and uses it to buy a car for himself. The matter is really between me, him and the organization, not the government.

So you're saying it should be a civil court case which the State is not involved by default lah.[/b]

Yes and no. No because if he returns my money I can just forgive him and not go to court at all. Yes because, if I want my money back and he doesnt return my money after everything I've tried then it would be a civil court case. It is hard to say b/c it involves many "ifs" and "if nots". What i was trying to say was just that the church should have tried to handle the case instead of going to court and making such a big matter out of it. And also, I'm not saying to cover it up, its ok to expose the matter.

Icemoon SG

What i was trying to say was just that the church should have tried to handle the case instead of going to court and making such a big matter out of it.

Can someone tell me how the case got to court? You said the church should have tried to handle the case, so the church knew about it before the case got to court? If not, then your reasoning doesn't apply.

stupidissmart SG

If the person gives the money for charity, yet he use it for his own personal use, then it is already criminal breach of trust. Your example is simplifying the situation. There r probably hundred over people being cheated of the money, thousands of people tat cannot make use of this funds due to tis matter. He is guilty which there is no argument against it. There may be some individual who had also commited the same offense as this father as well. If we just cover it up and settle the problem within itself, and no punishment is meted out to this father, wat messages r u sending to the masses ? Try and cheat as much money as possible lah ! When u got caught u only need to pay back or something... If u never get caught u get to keep the money. Sounds to me like a win win situation...

Wat if the person refuse to hand back the cash or unable to return the cash ? Why is Gov involved ? Because they r the only one tat can mete out punishment. Do u think he should be punished ?

BTW using your logic, then raping and killing is also only between the victim and antagoniser. If the victim do not press charges, does tat means we should free the accused ?

stupidissmart SG

R u talking about the priest in christian church or in catholic church ? I am talking about the catholic one. IMO Father Kang probably is no small fly and probably have taken the "vow of poverty". Anybody there to confirm ?

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