As a former Catholic, I ask this question of practising Catholics?

Question

Why are Catholics in such denial over what has been an appalling record of sexual abuse of children by priests? Why does this never get discussed in an open forum in Catholic parishes? Why does the issue repeatedly get swept under the carpet?

Denials, denials....hmmm....I rest my case.

I am interested in hearing all views on this subject. That is why I asked the question. I have never heard a discussion on the subject in any Catholic forum. When the subject was ever raised, it was always shut down. Seems to me, one of the first steps in the healing process is discussion, not denial that it doesn't or didn't exist or that "others do it too" or "that there are worse sexual abuses in public schools"...(a claim which has not been substantiated)

The question has been asked as to why someone would leave an organization, like the Catholic Church. Why would anyone want to gain inspiration from a group where there critical analysis is not only discouraged but punished.

When the responder says that sexual abuses are "100 times" greater in the public school system, I would have to have that figure substantiated, not taken on faith alone which is the method used by the Catholic church. A responder indicates that Catholic radio has discussed and condemned the whole sexual abuse by priests problem and if that is the case, that is a good start and a step in the right direction.

Correction: To "BabyinWomb" the point of "resting my case" is not that I am right and someone else is wrong. I only rest my case that denials continue.

Raising valid questions is never "part of the problem". I am sure that Jesus recognizes ethics and the good contributions to mankind whether they are conducted within the auspices of the Catholic population or outside it...(yes, Virginia, there are actually honourable, ethical, contributors to the common good that exist outside of the Catholic Church too)

Answer 1

It is un-natural to expect men to live their lives without a family arrangement. Even the Apostle Peter was married. And he was supposed to be the start of the Catholic church. They claim. So why are priests put under pressure NOT to marry. Surely a married man is much more balanced to be able to sort out personal and family problems?
As to Peter being married...(Matthew 8:14) And Jesus, on coming into Peter’s house, saw his mother-in-law lying down and sick with fever.
(Mark 1:30) Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down sick with a fever, and they at once told him about her.

(Luke 4:38) After getting up out of the synagogue he entered into Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was distressed with a high fever, and they made request of him for her.

Answer 2

The dead horse gets beaten enough over and over again by the media. Why do people like you act like all priests are abusers?

Why is sex abuse 100 times more among teachers in public schools, but the media doesn't make as big a deal about that?

The Catholic League puts it into perspective.
http://www.catholicleague.org/research/abuse_in_social_context.htm

Most of the clergy abuses are from the 60's and the 70's. Why can't people move on and focus on Peter instead of being obsessed with Judas?

*Edit*
If you don't want to listen to anyone then why did you ask the question? Why are you in denial in not wanting to talk about the sex abuse scandals in public schools? How did you leaving the Church help the Church? Why can't you be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem? The Church has a lot of Judases, and you are one of them, too. By you leaving the Church that was founded by Jesus (God Himself) you are saying that you have more faith in yourself than in God. That is the sin of pride, and that makes you a hypocrite.

*Edit*
You said "I rest my case" which was like saying "I don't care what anyone else says, I'm right."

*Edit*
My point is why don't you care about the sex abuse scandals in the public schools when it happens 100 times more often? Yes, it does make a difference if it happens more in some places than in other places. Who do you think doesn't know about the Church abuse scandals? The Church does talk about it. If you would watch EWTN and listen to Catholic radio, you would know that. But you seem to only want to sit on a high horse and condemn the whole Church over the Judases in it.

*Edit*
Catholic means being a member of the Catholic Church and believing in the teachings and being obedient to those teachings of the Church. No one is condemning you for stating the obvious, that sex abuse is wrong. I think that people need to know the difference between scandal and what the Church teaches. Judas was the first scandal, and he was hand selected by Jesus. Jesus said there would always be scandal in the Church but that He would wait until the end to separate the good from the bad within His Church. The question then is will you be in His Church trying to make it better when He returns or will you be part of the problem?

Answer 3

its not that we are denying them its that they are something we are not proud of and we dont want to adress because its somwthing we did wrong and we'd like to forget. Just because of these happenings doesn't decredit the catholic church. Its like if you did something wrong you'd want to put it behind you and not talk of it. Its on our past