The diocese in this area has taken pains in TV interviews to point out how they have had an outside body set-up for many years that investigates all allegations of abuse. The local church authorities apparently play no part in the investigation and only come into the process at the request of the investigative body. Perhaps most areas of the country have such proceedures.
Hasnt this problem become epidemic at this point? I think the Church needs to take responsibility. What they have done in credible cases is to settle with monetary awards and have the victims sign consent decrees giving up their ability to sue the Church or priest.
What should be is simple. Any claims should be turned over to civil authorities as the law states. These are crimes.
Settling the case and putting the priest back out to prey on other children is not the answer, that in itself is a crime.