The facts about so-called molesting Catholic priests?

Question

I'm fed up with the lack of understanding in this matter.
1) Pedophelia is not the problem in the Church. Sine 98% of these reported (yet unproven) cases took place with boys who were early teens, the real problem is homosexuality. So, we cannont solve the problem unless we know what the problem is. Its homosexuality, NOT pedophelia. (it is still bad, but it is not the same.)

2) You would never know about this because the media portrayed it wrongly. You see, the media PROMOTES homosexality as an alternative lifestyle, so they could not say that homosexality was the problem, lest they show themselves as the hypocrites they are. But, pedophelia was guarenteed to arouse anger, and since the media hates the Church, that is how they reported it.

3) However, on the topic of pedophilia: The highest rate of pedophilia crimes happen within families (step-fathers, uncles, etc.). So those who try to connect it with celibacy make a poor case.

4) The percentage of priests who have been accused (not convicted, just accused) of child abuse, falls below the national average. So why don't you all complain about the problem in America in general? Probably because you are not really concerned about the issue, you just want to bash Catholics.

5) Why are there not similar problems among priests in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East? I mean, if "celibacy" is making them do it (as some claim) or if it a uniquely Catholic problem (which it is not) then it would be happening everywhere, wouldn't it? So why does it only happen in first-world western nations? Because our culture has become so debased and filthy that all manner of foulness occurs in it, and priests are not super-men: They are sinners like you and I and are not immune from it.

So, there are some of the reason why I get so angry when people keep talking about priests and "little boys". Those jibes are just based on dumb ignarance of the facts, or anti-Catholic bigotry, or, usually, both.

So, does anybody really think they understand the TRUE issue at hand?

To Desiree : The reason I harp on it is because I see these attacks all day EVERY day in Y/A, and it gets my blood boiling.

Answer 1

You know, it isn't the number that I thought was way out of line. My big issue was the way the church hid it and protected them from the law.

Answer 2

I think the main reason there has been such a backlash against the Catholic religion regarding this is for 1 major reason. A violation of Trust.
These families trusted the Priests to care for and protect their children, and instead the children (persons under 18) needed to be protected from the Priests.
Then on top of that, this was attempted to be covered up by the Church instead of being up front and honest with the problem.
So it becomes a two-fold trust violation as far as these people were concerned.

As far as Homosexuality vs Pedophelia I believe you have your facts a little mixed up. A child in their early teens is still a child and therefore it is pedophelia. If it was a Priest and an adult male parrishoner (over 18) that would be homosexuality. Just so that is clear. Homo means the same not child. And Pedo denotes child, not the same. Now if it was two 13 year old boys, that might be considered homosexual as it is the same. A 40 year old Priest and a 13 year old boy is pedophelia as they are not the same.

Answer 3

I'm not convinced you understand the true issue at hand. The reason the abuses by priests make the news is because they are supposedly above this, chosen by god, trusted figures of authority, etc. The homosexuality/pedophilia issue is moot. The fact is boys in their early teens are still not adults. They are not making informed decisions regarding their sexuality. The priests in question, prey on the vulnerability of youth. I do not believe the media promotes homosexuality. I noticed that you used many data figures and broad sweeping statements regarding the supposed abuses by priests and pedophilia by families. Where are your "facts" coming from? Not all religions require celibacy. I'm not sure your particular line or reasoning is going to make the case for Catholicism or that there is a difference between homosexuality of priests with early-teenage boys and pedophilia. I heard that the Catholic church in California paid out the "largest in the history of the church", monetary settlement to the boys who were accusing the priests. There were more that 400 cases on this particular docket. Those were the ones willing to come forward. Do you think the diocese paid because no-one was guilty? I do not condemn Catholicism, I believe it is the failing of the individual. Some pedophiles plan their lives to get near and gain the trust of children, they become teachers, boy scout leaders and priests. Anything that endangers and hurts children should be condemned.

Answer 4

Of course the problem is one of Homosexuality, a normal Priest does not suddenly feel inclined to boys but a homosexual Priest does,another fact is that Priests who have commited such acts entered the Priesthood during times when homosexuality was a hidden subject and totally frowned upon,and the Priesthood was in fact a safe place to be and could offer opportunities for sexual company.
In short a Priest does not become a pedophile but a pedophile can become a Priest,this same problem has been experienced among Protestant ministers too but these get very little mention by the media.

Answer 5

Sorry, not true.

1.) A paedophile is someone who wants sex with children. A homosexual is someone who wants sex with their own gender. Boys in their early teens are children.

2.) Homosexuality is not a lifestyle. I'm sure I'd have the same lifestyle if I was one, apart from... OK best not go there

3.) Yes the highest rate of paedophilia comes within families. There have always been bad families however, while the priest is supposed to a beacon for his entire community. It's much more difficult to get a priest on a paedophilia charge, and many more of them get away with it.

4.) Incorrect - you're reading bad statistics.

5.) It's even worse in the Third World, and in Africa the abuse is more of girls.

I do not wish to upset you, but all religious groups have problems. This is one problem your church does have, and it's made the problem worse by covering for the minority of people responsible.

Answer 6

Catholic bashing= the last acceptable form of bigotry in our society.
Actually, you are right, the percentage of priests abusing children is *way* below that in the lay society. However, *pedophile priests* sounds really good in the mass media. According to accepted statistics a child has a *much* higher chance of being abused by a family member or a family friend, a fact lost on media sponges with an agenda... sad, but true...
I am also convinced child abuse is unknown in any other religion, Catholics have invented it and Pope holds the patent on it. Indeed, it is unheard of outside of Catholic church. It was NEVER documented in other faiths.I am also convinced no other child abuser has EVER hired a lawyer to defend him against the charges, RCC is the ony organization doing this, THE TRUTH!!! There was NEVER a rabbi who abused a child, I can tell you that with certainty...

Answer 7

First if they are under 18 it is still technically pedophilia. But that is not the important part.

Yes I think this has been taken and run with. I think it has been used by many to justify hatred of the Catholic church. The thing is the Catholic church did bring this upon themselves somewhat by not reporting it. However I think condemning the entire denomination for this is wrong. Christians especially need to forgive and see how they can help the Catholic church move on from this. Catholics are our Christian brothers and sisters. We do not need to attack them over this. We need to pray for them. Do what we can to help. And show the love Jesus taught.

Answer 8

That's an, uhh, impressive display of apologetics.

1. Most of the boys were younger than the age of consent. These aren't cases of consensual homosexual activity, as you seem to be suggesting. This is rape.

2. What makes these cases particularly galling is the fact that the authorities in the church have protected these priests and even enabled them to rape more boys.

3. These cases have been reported in Asia and Africa.

Answer 9

so you will put the blame anywhere but where it belongs.

Those "men of God" are held to a different standard. The catholic church is a cult but calling yourself a priest makes you accountable to live like a righteous person.

you can shuffle the blame like the church has shuffled those sick men to other parishes trying to sweep it under the rug.

They sinned they should be in jail. PERIOD.


you are such a staunch Catholic that if they molested you, you would ask the same priest to forgive you for sinning not accuse him. Take your blinders off and read your bible.

Answer 10

The difficulty may be one of nationalism, rather than religion. Most of the religions in the good ole U S of A are of the home-grown variety. Roman Catholicism is international.

Just as Hitler, the rabid German nationalist, proposed a German Church, the "Real American Christians" would prefer a "Real American Church" where Jesus is from Texas or something along those lines.

Answer 11

So are you saying that teenaged homosexual kids tempted the priests into sinning? And it's not the priest's fault? Then, of course, the teenagers blackmailed the priests into not talking, right? And they forced them to move from parish to parish to hide their shame?

Bah...

If the priest is an adult, and the other person is under 18, it's pedophilia, plain and simple.

If the bishop or parish or pope or the archangel Michael himself shuffled the pervert priest from parish to parish to hide the perp from prosecution, they are also at fault.

I know priests aren't supermen - I once had one rationalize racism to me, saying "I just didn't know the facts". But if they put themselves in the position of being a moral leader, then they have a higher standard that they are expected to adhere to. If they fall off their pedestal, they deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.