Clint,
Thank you for your kind post as moderator and your caution against the mud-slinging.
To All,
It is unfair and illogical to focus on the secrecy of the Sacrament of Penance in examining the problem of pederast priests. There are many ways that pederast priests have been identified outside the confessional. So the thread of this topic starts off on a wrong premise: that pederast priests are allowed to get away with their sins which are hidden in the confessional. Gotta tell you, folks, that premise just doesn't stand.
Pederast priests have been identified by victims of their abuse, by suspicious family members and by suspicious parish members and, very likely, by other priests. The seal of the confessional did not protect them from being identified.
Most of these cases come from 40 to 25 years ago.
What was the understanding in our society during those years in relationship to this problem?
Here is a quote from an Archbishop, "From what I have learned over the years, I now recognize that church leaders 20 years ago, still rather unfamiliar with the nature of child abuse, often dealt with this matter as a moral problem." This same Archbishop goes on to say, "I have now served as a diocesean bishop for nearly fifteen years. There is no matter which has consumed more of my time and energy and prayer than this one..."
He goes on to relate what he has learned about this problem. I am presenting the facts from his article in a brief form.
A first time offender was treated according to the methods that any sinner with a moral problem would be treated, and given another chance -- which all seemed in accord with Gospel teaching. When this failed, the offender was sent to a treatment center. After treatment, the offender was sent back to the bishop and recommended for re-assignment in a new place. If the bishop wondered about re-assigning the offender, he was told it was necessary for the offender's welfare. And no attention was paid to the "tragic effects" on the victims.
That was the standard of people in that period of time, including the experts in the treatment centers.
It wasn't until the last 10 to 15 years that Church officials have come to understand, that even with treatment, those who abuse children can never again be allowed to hold positions of trust involving children.
This Archbishop has expressed his "deep regret for the scandal of child abuse in the Church" He set up a task force, which included some victims of such abuse from a priest. A plan to deal with the problem has been put into effect. And the Archbishop has asked forgiveness of those who have suffered abuse from any personnel of his diocese.
He is getting some flack over the plan because it is both costly and time consuming. It requires a background check on every person in the diocese who serves in a position of trust in regard to children and youth. There are also stringent educational requirements to help prevent any such occurences in the future.
I hope this corrects some of the misconceptions about this problem being hidden behind the seal of the confessional.
Pauline
Thank you for your kind post as moderator and your caution against the mud-slinging.
To All,
It is unfair and illogical to focus on the secrecy of the Sacrament of Penance in examining the problem of pederast priests. There are many ways that pederast priests have been identified outside the confessional. So the thread of this topic starts off on a wrong premise: that pederast priests are allowed to get away with their sins which are hidden in the confessional. Gotta tell you, folks, that premise just doesn't stand.
Pederast priests have been identified by victims of their abuse, by suspicious family members and by suspicious parish members and, very likely, by other priests. The seal of the confessional did not protect them from being identified.
Most of these cases come from 40 to 25 years ago.
What was the understanding in our society during those years in relationship to this problem?
Here is a quote from an Archbishop, "From what I have learned over the years, I now recognize that church leaders 20 years ago, still rather unfamiliar with the nature of child abuse, often dealt with this matter as a moral problem." This same Archbishop goes on to say, "I have now served as a diocesean bishop for nearly fifteen years. There is no matter which has consumed more of my time and energy and prayer than this one..."
He goes on to relate what he has learned about this problem. I am presenting the facts from his article in a brief form.
A first time offender was treated according to the methods that any sinner with a moral problem would be treated, and given another chance -- which all seemed in accord with Gospel teaching. When this failed, the offender was sent to a treatment center. After treatment, the offender was sent back to the bishop and recommended for re-assignment in a new place. If the bishop wondered about re-assigning the offender, he was told it was necessary for the offender's welfare. And no attention was paid to the "tragic effects" on the victims.
That was the standard of people in that period of time, including the experts in the treatment centers.
It wasn't until the last 10 to 15 years that Church officials have come to understand, that even with treatment, those who abuse children can never again be allowed to hold positions of trust involving children.
This Archbishop has expressed his "deep regret for the scandal of child abuse in the Church" He set up a task force, which included some victims of such abuse from a priest. A plan to deal with the problem has been put into effect. And the Archbishop has asked forgiveness of those who have suffered abuse from any personnel of his diocese.
He is getting some flack over the plan because it is both costly and time consuming. It requires a background check on every person in the diocese who serves in a position of trust in regard to children and youth. There are also stringent educational requirements to help prevent any such occurences in the future.
I hope this corrects some of the misconceptions about this problem being hidden behind the seal of the confessional.
Pauline
As I have pointed out in other threads, the Catholics share in this philosophy regarding Muslims also. 