When a Catholic priest moleste a child and it gets in the news they handle it but moving the priest to some other place where now he is with children who don't know to be afraid of him? I just don't understand why catholic priest are not held accountable like regular child molesters?
2006-12-15 06:52:42 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I am not accusing all priest just the ones that get accussed and then drop off the face fo the earth.
2006-12-15 07:07:39 · update #1
The media has covered this issue because it is so abhorrant to our society that Catholic priests should be accused of abusing the trust of their parishioners.
To answer your question, people get defensive because it has been in the media so much that most people seem to believe that most or all Catholic priests are involved in the scandals, if not an actual abuser, then covering for an abuser.
It's like calling all attorneys crooked or all cops on the take; it's a generalization which is unfair.
2006-12-15 12:46:31 · answer #1 · answered by Shelley 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are somewhat confused. A Catholic priest who molester a child and it becomes public knowledge will be treated the same as any other child molesters (trial, jail, etc). The problems is that for many, MANY years they were not public knowledge it was keep quite in the church, and when the priest did something and the church found out they would move the priest.
Now if you mean why do some catholic priest who are outed still not get harsh punishments. Well they are still treated the same as other child molesters, just other child molesters who have the amount of funds that the catholic church have. All rich child molesters get off (I actually did not mean that pun) example Micheal Jackson.
2006-12-15 07:06:55 · answer #2 · answered by The Teacher 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I work for a Catholic Organization and believe me they don't just move them from one place to another, there is a long process they must go through. Also when you say people get defensive, it's because just like everything else, you are stereo-typing by saying ALL priests are child molesters and they are not. There are some very dedicated people in the priesthood that have never and would never hurt a child.
2006-12-15 07:03:51 · answer #3 · answered by Scooter Girl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that most catholics who get defensive are in some way trying to defend their religion. Not that this makes it right however they feel they have to step up to let others know that not ALL priests are child molesters.
2006-12-15 09:26:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess that people are getting less and less defensive. That is why the Church is using this ploy (moving them somewhere else to hide the problem) less often than before.
It is still used. But people are less willing than before to turn a blind eye. There are some court cases going on.
However, in some places, the pendulum has swung the other way: it is sufficient for certain people (priests, teachers...) to be accused for people to immediately conclude that they are guilty.
As to you original question (why do people feel defensive): religions rely on ideas that they implant in people before puberty. Because of how the brain works, the first tendency is for your brain to treat pre-puberty "data" as truths. People were conditioned to see priests as saintly, less prone to commit sins. It shocks their minds to have such "truths" challenged.
2006-12-15 07:10:34 · answer #5 · answered by Raymond 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because in the majority of cases, there is no proof. Many of the accusations against priests are not true, brought only by people who are looking to cash in on the tragedy suffered by some.
Remember; Innocent until PROVEN guilty is the main tenant of our court system.
2006-12-15 07:01:25 · answer #6 · answered by mnyquist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, they just pay settlements though they knew their priests were doing it for years. I think a couple have gone to jail!
Where I Iive was part of it as the Bishop who helped cover it up lives here!
Ironically, in the middle of this whole scandal, the Catholic church had a law submitted in my state that would preclude them from having to report child abuse! HUH??????? It was defeated!
2006-12-15 07:00:34 · answer #7 · answered by cantcu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Beacause the Catholic religion is scared to admit their faults and would rather sweep the child abuse scandals under the rug, hoping they go undiscovered, than admit there is a problem and address it head on. The Catholic system is flawed... regardless of which allegations are true and which are not, they is CLEARLY a problem... I find it disgusting that a religion who preaches such morale will so blatantly disregard it when it pertains to them. Total hypocricy.
2006-12-15 07:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe because they have a secret desire to molest a catholic priest
2006-12-15 07:45:38 · answer #9 · answered by cuban friend 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are held accountable. Some have been jailed. Others have been subject to civil suits that resulted in huge payments.
2006-12-15 07:16:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋