Posted on 03/03/2013 5:07:33 PM PST by Mrs. Don-o
The publication last week of the Irish government's McAleese Report on the Magdalene laundries has proved kind of awkward for Catholic-bashers. For the thorough, 1,000-page study found not a single incident of sexual abuse by a nun. Not one. Also, the vast majority of its interviewees said they were never physically punished in the laundries.
As one woman said, "It has shocked me to read in papers that we were beat and our heads shaved and that we were badly treated by the nuns… I was not touched by any nun and I never saw anyone touched."
The authors seem to have been taken aback by "the number of women who spoke positively about the nuns".
And yet, some are wondering out loud if it was nonetheless legitimate and good to have produced so many embellished stories about evil nuns in recent years, as a way of highlighting the broader culture of abuse in the Catholic Church.
[snip]
When the Irish government published its Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse for the period 1950 to 2002, newspaper headlines declared "Thousands raped in Ireland's Christian Brothers schools". But actually, the commission heard allegations of 68 rapes, not thousands.
Anyone who points out that reports and depictions of abuse in Catholic institutions have been overblown risks being denounced as an abuse apologist, peskily committed to historical accuracy rather than to the grander goal of making the Catholic Church appear as rotten and warped as possible, regardless of the facts.
Yet those of us, even atheists like me, who are genuinely interested in truth.
Catholic-bashers frequently accuse the Catholic religion of promoting a childish narrative of good and evil that is immune to factual evidence. Yet they do precisely the same, in the service of their fashionable and irrational new religion of anti-Catholicism.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.telegraph.co.uk ...
First, I never said that I think that the cases in the American version of the catholic church are all just out for money. Perhaps you meant that reply to someone else.
Second, to reply to your statement “When priests are hidden away and ‘treated’ for pedophilia and then released onto a new congregation with no supervision and no warning to parishioners, I say there is something endemically wrong.”
I would agree with you except that I read in a large LIBERAL newspaper years ago that the psychiatrists said that pedophiles COULD BE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED and to send the erring priests to them. The Church did just that. Later the psychiatrists said, ‘WHOOPS,” pedophilia cannot be cured. Blame the psychiatrists instead of the Church.
I went to a Catholic school for twelve years. I was an acolyte for eight of those years and I continued to serve at Mass when called upon while on active duty. At no time did any priest ever even look at me suggestively. I WAS molested at about nine years old by my Little League baseball coach. Twice. I heard years later that he died in prison in Indiana.
That is exactly what happened 2 years ago in my Diocese (Knoxville) when the bishop immediately revoked a priest's faculties and called the cops.
What caused a whole lot of grief and complication was the common view in the 1970's and 80's that what the abuser needed was therapeutic intervention, rather than prosecution. Too often the abuser got some kind of in-patient counseling and psychotherapy, got certified as having his compulsions under control, and was put back into a pastoral role.
Most churches (not just Catholic) and most institutions (not just churches) took this therapeutic approach, and the result was catastrophic: the re-offense rate is close to 100%, but they didn't know it at the time.
Why was all the spotlight put on the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts, of all people? Three reasons:
(1) The paradox of youth work. Any organization that deals ith youth, will attract people who are attracted to youth --- for the wrong reasons. Perverts are drawn to coaching, scouting and pastoring for the same reason bank robbers are drawn to banks. It's here they'll get the opportunity to score.
(2)Deep pockets: it was perceived that they (the Catholic Church and the BSA) had huge institutional assets which could be seized. (I'm not blaming the victims here, and they never see most of the money: it's a goldmine for lawyers)
(3) The pleasure of eviscerating the "straightest" institutions, the ones that publically and prominently opposed the homosexual agenda.
That's why the same people who go ballistic on the Church and the Scouts won't touch public schools, publicly-sponsored youth programs, and Hollywood.
you obviously know nothing about confession....a priest would NEVER give absolution to a child rapist without ordering him to go to the authorities with his confession.
the sacrament of reconcilliation has a whole lot of responsibilities connected to it....if you kill your wife, you don't walk away absolved of your crime....while the priest cannot divulge your confession, he can and will mandate that you do so yourself.
I’ve long suspected a close family member had a bizarre relationship with an old, fat reverend he practically worshipped, Methodist.
They think no matter what you do, God forgives - thus, they can do anything they want, endlessly.
you obviously took your eyes off of Jesus....Pope Benedict did not take his eyes off of the problems within the Catholic Church...there are 1.3BILLION members of the church..some of them are misguided, some of the are downright EVIL but you do not condemn an organization because some of its members are evil. want to condemn the masons, elks, moose, eagles, whatever because a few of their members are bad asses????
Fake but accurate!
“Truly sorry and promises never to do it again ...”
Well all one can do is confess and pray that the Lord keeps you from sinning. There is no such thing as a sinner promising to never do it again or being able to not sin again. That isn’t going to happen
Historically this has been the "normal" type of homosexuality. See ancient Greece, Japan, China, Afghanistan, etc. Today's "consenting adults" meme is the anomaly.
BTW, good luck convincing anybody that pedophilia does not refer to attraction towards any person (arbitrarily) defined as being under the legal age of consent.
I know it’s hard to remember the way things were viewed 30 to 40 years ago, but at the time such actions were viewed, and not just by the Church, as a moral failing on the part of the adult, not as a horrific sin and crime against a child.
IOW, the focus was on helping the priest get over his sinful tendencies, not on protecting the children.
In hindsight this was appalling moral blindness, but I can guarantee you it was the general view at the time. For instance, I don’t believe Roman Polanski’s original flight to avoid prosecution for rape of an underage child created nearly as much uproar in 77 as was created by his possible return to this country a couple of years ago.
In one of his early movies, Woody Allen made some quip about wanting to die at 90 in bed with twin 12 year old girls, if I remember rightly, and it was just a throw-away laugh line. (Art predicting life in his case?)
Attitudes have changed, and in this case for the better, IMO.
when faced with the criminality of their own, the catholic church did nothing....end of story
**The level of pedophilia is stunning and abuse of young males.**
The figures I have seen say that less that 50 percent of the cases are true. Still too much, but there is a lot of lying and money mongering going on.
PS. This is not the reason Pope Benedict XVI retired. Have you seen the pictures of him? Do you know how physically sick he is?
The Pope Who was Actually a Bear
Some images from Benedict XVI’s final day as pope (nice summation of the day
Benedict’s Last Official Speech – a summary of his vision (with commentary)
Pope Benedict's kiss goodbye (CNA editor's son)
Swiss Guards seal gates, leave service of Pope Emeritus
Pope's last words: Thank you for your friendship and love
Benedict XVI pledges respect, obedience to future Pope
Cardinal O’Malley: ‘Difficult to forecast’ pope’s successor
Holy Father's meeting with Cardinals-live
Benedict XVI Vows Obedience To Successor As Pope
More on Benedict’s revolutionary act: his astonishing predictions
Pope's brother slams Cardinal Danneels
Pope's brother gives interview on Papal resignation
Cardinal Wuerl describes spiritual experience of conclave (and work of the Holy Spirit)
Cardinal says next Pope likely to be young (interesting insight into how a pope is chosen)
Cardinal Arinze: Pope's resignation was a 'surprise, like thunder'
French archbishop criticizes Papal decision to resign
Pope announced canonisation of 800 martyrs slaughtered by Muslim troops
FATHER BARRON TO REPORT ON PAPAL ABDICATION (NBC & MSNBC)
Some distinctly non-canonical musings on the status of an ex-pope
Benedict’s Men: U.S. Vocations Strengthen During His Eight-Year Papacy
Pope has 'cleaned up the episcopate,' nuncio says
Benedict XVI's Final General Audience
Pope confident God will guide Church in days ahead (150,000 fill St. Peter's Square)
Pope Recalls "Joy" Of Papacy, And Difficulties
The Papacy and the 'Gay Mafia'
Pope Benedict's new name revealed
Pope Benedict chooses his new wardrobe
Call Me the Optimist – A Meditation on Recent Reports of Crisis and Conclave
Young, new Philippine cardinal has extensive international ties
Cardinal Keith O’Brien resigns, will not go to conclave
Benedict XVI’s new Motu Proprio about the Conclave (date regulations officially changed)
The 'strictest' secrecy: a look at how conclaves work
Pope will change rule for conclave date tomorrow [today]
Pope Benedict says he is not 'abandoning the Church' (tens of thousands fill square)
Communiqué of the Secretariat of State on the upcoming Conclave
Ratzinger's forgotten prophesy (sic) on the future of the Church
Homosexual Network at the Vatican, Yes; Reason for the Pope's Resignation, No
Castel Gandolfo prepares to receive first retired Pope
Vatican slams media for trying to influence papal vote
In Defense of the Papacy: 9 Reasons True Christians Follow the Pope
The Church Doesn't Need a Revolution
The Reason Benedict Resigned [Catholic Caucus]
At B16's Window, A Big "Thank You"... While Behind the Walls, The "Showcase" Begins
Prayers for Our Holy Father Benedict XVI and the Papal Conclave
Pope still extremely Catholic (A look at how media cover Catholicism [and the Pope])
Conclave to silence at least nine tweeting cardinals
Pope Benedict's resignation and the mystery of the missing encyclical
Benedict, Dawkins, and the Fullness of Reason
Benedict XVI: Vatican II as I saw it
Benedict’s renunciation and the wolves within the church
The Left Lobbies for a Liberal Successor to Benedict (and here is why)
Pope Benedict's Future Residence
SCOTT HAHN: Pope Benedict had a profound effect on this former Presbyterian minister
Is the Next Pope the One From John Bosco’s Dream? (Patrick Madrid offers an intriguing twist)
"Re-Elect Pope Benedict" - “Eight more years!”
Who can be elected pope?
The Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI: A commentary by Fr. Barron
More details on papal resignation, conclave (Vatican Press Office)
Church doesn't bend, but endures
Who Will Take Up the Keys of Peter (This is a MUST READ!)
Conclave & The Media: The Silly Season
Cardinal Bertone's Farewell Address to the Holy Father
"Thank You – Let Us Return to Prayer": For the Last Time, The Pope Leaves the Altar
"Today, We Begin A New Journey" – Liturgically Speaking, B16's Last Word
Vatican releases schedule for Pope's final days
Benedict XVI: Reason’s Revolutionary
Some Interesting Tidbits From Today’s Vatican press conference
Pope Decided to Resign After Cuba Trip, Vatican Advisor Says
Pope Says He's Resigning for the 'Good of Church'
Watch for the Anti-Catholics To Weigh in on the Papal Succession
The challenge Pope Benedict has left for his successor—and for ordinary Catholics
Historian Notes Precedents for Papal Resignation
US Will Have Unprecedented Voice In Electing New Pope
Pope Benedict’s Resignation and St. Corbinian’s Bear
Pope Benedict XVI’s Musical Legacy
Benedict announces resignation and lightning strikes
DHS's curiosity piqued over Pope Benedict XVI's retirement and Catholic Prophecy
Prayers for Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict's Devotion to Saint Celestine Signaled His Resignation from the Papacy
Cardinal Sodano to Pope Benedict: “We have heard you with a sense of loss and almost disbelief”
Pope's resignation invokes sadness, gratitude from US bishops
Pope cites waning strength as reason for resignation
Report: Brother Says Pope Was Considering Resignation for Months
Some Notes About the Upcoming Conclave
An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict’s Resignation in Historical Context
Virtually unprecedented: papal resignation throughout history
Pope Benedict XVI:a papal timeline
"I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome" [Full Text]
Pope Benedict's Address on Resignation of the See of Rome
POPE BENEDICT XVI WILL RESIGN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, VATICAN PRESS OFFICE TELLS FOX NEWS
The most probable pedophiles in order are:
Fathers
Teachers
Coaches
Protestant ministers
Priests are way down on the list.
So if a father is a teacher of mid-high history, coaches the girl’s basketball team and is a youth minister at his church on weekends/Sundays — watch out! He would be much more prone to pedophilia that any priest.
How, pray tell, have the Baptists set a better example? I know many devout Baptists and I don't post that link to speak ill of them or their denomination. I post it because abuse is an especially heinous crime when it occurs in any Christian setting. There are quite a few nonCatholic denominations that have also failed to protect their children. Peace be with you.
May I ask your source for the ranking you gave? I thought nonrelated males (i.e. mom's live-in boyfriend, stepfather, or other unrelated male in the household) had higher rates of abuse than biological fathers. And that abuse rates were similar among clergy of all denominations. I suppose it's possible that with the safeguards that Catholic dioceses have implemented that other denominations could presently have higher rates. Looking at it historically though, I don't know of any source that shows nonCatholic clergy abusing at higher rates. That said, I don't follow it as much as I used to since I no longer work in health care. Peace be with you.
“when faced with the criminality of their own, the catholic church did nothing....end of story”
No. Some diocese did well and never had much of a problem. Other diocese were notorious for their predators. You can’t tar the whole Church for something that varied wildly from diocese to diocese.
That may be the story of the enemedia, but it's not the findings reported by actual investigators. As this posted article discloses, in Ireland and the UK, the media turned 5 dozen allegations --- allegations, some of them true, some of them not, over a period of 52 years --- into a story of 10,000 rapes.
In many --- not all, but many --- cases involving crimes in the 70's and 80's, the "nothing" you speak of as a good-faith attempt at therapeutic intervention--- which turned out tragically, but was carried out on the expert medical advice of the psychiatric profession (Link). Has any psychiatrist been sued or criminally indicted? Even one?
Even in one of the worst cases, Boston, no criminal charge has ever been lodged against Cardinal Law ---regrettable as it may seem, He was fully investigated by the (MA) state attorney general and the district attorneys in the 5 counties of the Archdiocese, and he gave evidence before two grand juries. All of these attorneys general, after years of horrible press and intense scrutiny, nevertheless concluded that Law had not tried to evade investigation and had not broken any laws.
Do you want to put him in jail? Frankly, there are at least four bishops who ought to be sitting in jail, in my opinion. But actual criminal investigators have found that what bishops did was not indictable crime, but serious, repeated lapses in pastoral judgment.
(Like I said, in at least four cases I think there was knowing child endangerment; but since I don't have the power of the millstone --- the most fitting punishment --- I'll have to wait to see the final, fiery verdict in the world to come.)
There are over 40,000 Catholic priests in the US, and 95% of have had no allegation ---again no allegation --- of sexual behavior of any kind, with man or woman, adult or child.
But does that fit into your "story"?
End of story.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.