How does the incidence of sexual abuse by Catholic priests compare to abuse by ministers, rabbis, or teachers?

Question

Facts, not prejudice: How likely is it that a practicing priest in 2007 would sexually abuse a minor? How does this risk compare with ministers, rabbis, and teachers?

A study by the Catholic League found:
Over the last four decades, less than 1.5 percent of the estimated 60,000 or more men who have served in the Catholic clergy have been accused of child sexual abuse. . . . Of contemporary priests, the Associated Press found that approximately two-thirds of 1 percent of priests have charges pending against them.

Almost all the priests who abuse children are homosexuals. Dr. Thomas Plante, a psychologist at Santa Clara University, found that “80 to 90% of all priests who in fact abuse minors have sexually engaged with adolescent boys, not prepubescent children. Thus, the teenager is more at risk than the young altar boy or girls of any age.
http://www.cath

Dave A, you had me nodding until you wrote that "the majority of boy-molesters are straight men." That makes no sense.

Zilla, follow the link above for the evidence that the vast majority of the priests who committed sexual abuse (who might have been 2% of the priests in the 1970s, but close to 0% in 2007) were homosexual.

Sorry, Dave, you're playing word games. Men are male, boys are male--the same sex. Men who sexually molest boys are homosexual (or at least bisexual, which means part-time homosexual). That's how homosexuality is learned. Ask Mark Foley for details.

Answer 1

Actually, among this group mentioned, Catholic clergy would rank at the bottom for incidence of sexual abuse. However, the Catholic church is not the only group doing something about the problem. The problem is being addressed by the Baptist church as well where it has been reported that the incidence of sexual abuse is many times higher than the Catholic Church. Also the Church of God of Cleveland Tennessee has had several incidences with one being with a prominent bishop of their church which was promptly covered up. I do not know of any studies by the Jewish faith. School teaches also have a higher incidence by far than Catholic clergy. So, from the statistics it would seem that children are safer with Catholic priests than even family members but listening to the press one would hardly think so.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 2

Be careful. It almost looks as if you are attempting to justify/excuse the bad behavior of Catholic priests by pointing to the same bad behavior done by others.

Also, don't confuse the disorder of homosexuality with the disorder of pedophilia. A man is sexaully attracted to another man due to the disorder of homosexuality. A man is sexually attracted to a boy NOT because of homosexuality but through pedophia.

Think I am wrong, do you? Your theory is basically saying that all homosexuality are, by extention, pedophiles. This is not true because there are many homosexuals out there that are not attracted to minors at all, only other adults. Also, you are ignoring the fact that one can be a heterosexual and still be a pedophile.

It is certainly possible for one to be both a homosexual and a pedophile, but catagorizing every pedophile as a homosexual is reckless simplification of an extremely complex problem.

Answer 3

Where is the proof of your statement, that almost all of the priests are homosexuals I don't believe that is an accurate fact.
But the fact that the priests must remain celibate, is in itself cruel and unnatural. the Catholic church should reconsider it stand that they are celibate, as it goes against nature, for man to be alone.
The only reason the media are concentrating on priests, is the betrayal of priests to do something so ungodly, and it betrays members of their parrish.
BUT, not all priests are molesters, and to say that they are, is not only mean, but incorrect. the same goes for ministers, or Rabbis, or an other profession.
To say that all senators, are guilty of sexual misconduct, would be just as stupid!
You can not go by profession. there are other men in a position of trust, that molest, and rape, as well.
edit:
Angelius;
Blanket statement that try to blame liberals for the woes of the world? Leaves the neocon saying so, looking as stupid as his statement..
Sexual misconduct is the fault, and behavior of the offender, not the sytem.
DUH.

Answer 4

these stats are hard to find because of the closed-rank nature of religion. but i know of many rabbi, priests, and ministers who have abused many children, in many locations. why the religious institutions protect them is beyond me.

there is no link between homosexuality and pedophilia, however, as you stated, there is a link between homosexuality and hebephilia (post-pubertal children). why religious institutions attract them varies - 'celibate' lifestyles, homophobic virtues, etc.

however, the majority of child molesters in the USA are men. the majority of boy-molesters are straight men. that may differ in religion, but not in everyday society. think about the connection between religion and hebephilia - are the virtues they espouse really winning the battle?

EDIT: rape, molestation, coercion, is not all about the other person's genitalia. it can be about power, leverage, mental illness, compulsion, etc. thus, it would make sense that since the majority of the world is heterosexual, that more boys are molested by 'straight' men than 'gay' men. but don't take my word for it, simply look it up on your own.

Answer 5

Sexual abuse in the public school system is scandalously underreported. This I believe is due to the liberal entrenchment in the educational establishment. Teachers, to liberals, are saints and can do no wrong. Priests, on the other hand . . .

Answer 6

There are far more cases of abuse in public schools. They just don't get the attention, because they are expected.

Answer 7

its pretty much the same .... why would you take the time to ask all that