Pope Francis too gentle

I’ve read the letter which Pope Francis sent to our bishops, meeting to pray and consider how best to resolve the scandals resulting from abuse. The Holy Father is too gentle. This elderly uneducated Catholic says this to my beloved bishops:

If you are guilty of crimes, or of covering up the crimes of others, immediately remove yourself from your official position, present yourself to the appropriate civil authorities, admit the crimes and gratefully accept the punishment demanded under law.

To prevent any recurrence of sickening crimes such as we have seen, no ordained clergy should wield financial or civil influence. Turn over control of the “physical plant” and all monetary matters to competent laymen. Ordained ministers must return to their intended role as pastors, shunning all other power. If you want to run the government, request laicization and run for political office. If you want to run a business, get a job.

Bill Laudeman Red Bank