The Catholic Church and the Child Sexual Abuse Scandal
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-03-23/catholic-church-and-child-sexual-abuse-scandal
Some say Pope Benedict’s letter of apology for child-sexual abuse by priests in Ireland did not go far enough. Addressing scandals shaking the Roman Catholic Church across Europe.
Guests
Joseph Bottum
Editor of First Things, the nation’s largest magazine of religion and public life. He is a commentator on Catholic Affairs.
Rev. Thomas Doyle
Canon lawyer, addiction therapist and advisory to abuse victims. He worked in the Vatican's U.S. embassy from 1981-1986.
David Gibson
Covers religion for Politics Daily. He is the author of "The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World."
Comments
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The problem of pedophilia is a societal problem not just a Catholic problem and needs to be addressed as such. I hope and pray that this illness and problem in our society and in our Church continues to be addressed and that both victims and those with this disease are treated fairly and get the help they need.
It is unfortunate that the wrong doing of a minority of priests that are sick has been exploited by anti-Catholic elements in the world. However imperfect the Catholic Church will continue her work to serve the poor and spread the gospel as she has done for the past two thousand years. It would be refreshing every now and again to hear stories documenting the contributions made by Catholic people. When will you be conducting that interview?
Why didn't the word "criminal" come up at all. I was also disappointed that secondary victims of were not discussed at any length. You also failed entirely to discuss the Catholic Church's sick attitude toward human sexually.
I was raised as a Catholic - 12 years of Catholic education, and I must admit that I got an excellent education. However, it was a fact that physical and psyco-sexual abuse was not only tolerated at St. Joseph's - it seemed to be directed behavior.
In first grade we were repeatedly told the lurid details of the stabbing death of a young Italian girl who refused to give up her virginity. In second grade we witnessed a nun bashing a classmate's head into a cast iron heater. I will never forget the sight of all the blood on the radiator and floor. In the 8th grade Sister Germanicus informed us that sex was always a sin unless you trying to have children. In high school a spy system was used to inform on any couples "going steady."
My older brother was sexually abused by a priest and my brother abused me.
At the age of 63 I am left with the question of what did all of this have to do with religion?
It is impossible to believe that any pope past/present/future would not know about the abuse/abusers past/present. The pope could contact the authorities identifying these criminals but chooses not to. The pope aids/abets abuse/abusers, is GUILTY of these crimes. I know the family documented in "Unto Us A Child..." . The catholic church should be sold off with proceeds going to victims of it's criminal conspiracy.
The Roman, Catholic Church...speakers of their true lord the devil. Synogog of satan. Traditions of men, not traditions of GOD. The sons of light has begun the war against the sons of darkness! This cult that has perverted the laws of GOD to fill there coffers for 2,000 years, this abomination will stay around alittle while longer. So when Christ returns to earth the world shall see! He is rightous and just. Lord Jesus will tie a yoke around all their necks and have them tossed into the lake of fire for hurting the most innocent among us. If not for the prophecy in St. Johns Revelations to be fulfilled that the beast, or anti-christ will be the last pope after this one GOD would surely destroy them much sooner. They can escape the laws of man, but not the living GOD. Sure they know how to coverup, hide and lie! But everything we ALL do is watched and documented to be a witness of our deeds on the day of the Lords wrath -Judgementday! No stone shall be left unturned. All truths shall be revealed. The true church of Christ is within everyone of us. Not made of stone or tools of mankind. Man will always fail you, but GOD will never fail you. Blind faith is better than no faith at all. Trust and pray in Lord Jesus the Christ. He will know the way thru the darkness after the veil of death is lifted! Have faith in GOD, not mankind, or this evil world. The first shall be last, the last shall be first like my comment.
Nyhero, Absurd! jesus schmesus.
I wanted to thank Father Tom Doyle for his comments in support of victims of abuse and by naming both boys and girls - I felt heard. I feel that the abuse of girls has been largely ignored. After 10 years of counseling, I did go through the official reporting process and have never been through a more demoralizing or demeaning process - with one diocese claiming no responsibility because the priest was from a religious order or the actions took place in another location. And in one instance the person who responded to my letter was an attorney and was not identified as one who represented the diocese in a legal capacity. It took 10 years of counseling to get to a point that I felt I could even speak about it - and I was in my 50's when i first named what happened as abuse. Soul murder indeed.
In my opinion, the process needs to recognize the illness and addiction in people who are sexually abusive - they are people first and abusing often comes from a history of abuse in their own lives - be that sexual or abuse of power - as long as we demonize abusers as 'the other' the sense of healing and recovery is curtailed. The Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh speaks to this in a beautiful poem speaking about calling him by all of his names - that he is the young girl who throws herself off a pirates boat after being raped and he is as well the pirate who raped the young girl. Keeping the secret of the abuse does not allow for healing for either those who were abused or those who abused.
Thank you for the discussion that has shed light upon this 'secret' of too many years. This discussion gifted me with a sense of conversation from a point of understanding rather than a silence of shame. Walk gently!
Just like a view point of a person whos cup is full, and is of a worldly point of view I must say to you... People if you empty your cup of all you know, maybe then you can figure out what my words mean. The road too destruction is wide and long. The road to salvation is slim and hard to find! Blessed are the ones who heed the elect and find a way to see the light thru the darkness before the end of days. Jesus is the only way thru the darkness. Its more easy to destroy, but hard to help and heal. I pray you will be in peace for the rest of your days. May the GOD of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham spare you on the day of great tribulation. We are currently living on borrowed time. We are living in the last days for I am convinced that this world will pass away, but the word of the living GOD who lives forever and ever shall never pass away. Your life may have been changed and corrupted overtime, but I do believe the light of rightousness is still within us and will be restored by my master GOD in heaven. If you keep the flame burning before the final judgement. That is how we will be saved. Mock me or not, I shall only speak the truth. It will set us free. GOD be with you.
There is no god.