10 Myths about Priestly Pedophilia

CERC ^ | none listed | CRISIS E-LETTER

[Rudder]

By this time, pedophilia was recognized as a disorder that could not be cured...---This was old news in the 1970's

Before 1994, bishops took their cue from experts in the psychiatric profession who believed pedophilia could be successfully treated.---from 1979 and beyond, I was on the clinical and research staff at Johns Hopkins Sex Disorders Clinic and it's precursor--no expert I knew of ever asserted it could be cured.

Priests guilty of sexual abuse were sent to one of several treatment facilities across the United States.--Yes, but...

Bishops often relied upon the judgments of experts in determining whether priests were fit for ministry.---None I knew of were ever recommended to return to the ministry.

That "Ad hoc Committee's" report (what you quoted)-- is erroneous and purposively misleading.

[Carry_Okie]

Differentiating pedophilia and ephebophilia is pure spin for an equally destructive behavior violating exactly the same principles.

[independentmind]

The way to take care of a problem like this is to confront it head-on. Admit that there is a problem, and take action to correct it.

Sometime, I must come visit your very black-and-white world. Mine is much more colorful.

I haven't tried to rationalize anything. What I don't believe is that abuse of minor children is a systemic problem within the Catholic Church. The truth is that 1) it's relatively rare and 2) is isn't more common among Catholic priests than in other segments of the general population.

[Rudder]

(Pedophilia) is isn't more common among Catholic priests than in other segments of the general population.

You have data to support this contention?

The statement: "There's absolutely no evidence that priests are more likely to abuse children than are other groups of men." does not mean that sexual abuse is not more common among priests, it means the evidence is lacking.

It's tough to study a closed society, so I doubt a study would be even feasible.

[independentmind]

The statement: "There's absolutely no evidence that priests are more likely to abuse children than are other groups of men." does not mean that sexual abuse is not more common among priests, it means the evidence is lacking.

Now, I do see.

The evidence may be lacking, but let's assume the worst, anyway. And, while we're at it, let's ignore the agenda of those who hate the Catholic Church.

What a bunch of suckers.

[BlazingArizona]

Denial, denial, denial, denial, denial, denial, denial, denial, denial, denial...

Where this article is dead wrong is point 10. Celibacy does not "cause" pedophilia, but it does make it hard to find candidates for the priesthood. Inevitably, this results in lowered standards. No other denomination finds it that difficult to recruit clergy

[battousai]

"The truth is that 1) it's relatively rare and 2) is isn't more common among Catholic priests than in other segments of the general population. "

you should add a 3) that this is yet another attempt to malign and discredit the church by the media and the powers that be by overblowing a problem brought about partialy by the very sexual revolution that these leftists created.

These same voices of outrage wouldn't hesitate to support homosexual addoption or marriage. Also not to change topics or sideline the discussion, but how many of these oh so outraged people wouldn't bat an eye as millions of unborn are murdered every year? In typical liberal fashion they could care less about the 'chiiildrun' they are merely hypocrites and opportunists, taking another shot at the church.

Unfortuantely for them the church is as strong as ever, except in the minds of those who couldn't stand the church to start with, and better off for having these priests exposed. What no one points out is that these priests are a product of the culture they grew up in. So the liberals so gleefully attacking the church are only reaping what they sowed.

[The Iguana]

This is a very edifying and much-needed tonic to the many distortions which have been painted of the Church and priesthood during these scandals.

But I have one small gripe. While the Catholic priesthhood may have a rate of pedophilia no higher than the male population in general, I hold the priesthood (as should we all) to a much higher standard. I don't expect perfection, but I do expect that a carefully chosen, called, trained and screened prelacy to be a cut above the ordinary run.

There has been a failure here by the Church. Even if its causes are rightly identified by CRISIS as being other than waht is being painted by the media and the critics.

[The Iguana]

Sinky,

I think the article does correct some misperceptions.

I also think your point is well taken.

CRISIS would have done better to preface (or close) its article with a clear recognition of the failures of the Church to better screen and train its prelates, and to better deal with them once identified.

There has been a failure here and it needs to be recognized by all.

[Rudder]

The evidence may be lacking, but let's assume the worst, anyway.

Assume whatever you like. For me, the evidence is lacking. That means I don't know.

[glaux]

You are exactly on target. The priest holds celibacy in high esteem precisely because it sets him apart from the "general population." If we are to take their vows seriously, the rate of sexual immorality among priests should approach zero, not simply mirror that of society.

[Movemout]

I don't give a rat's patootie if the pedophile in question is a priest, a scout leader, or a heterosexual female. If they are guilty then they should suffer the consequences. The Catholic Church has systematically covered up these offenses because they had the resources to do so. Other pedophiles would have misdirected authorities had they the same resources.

I have no axe to grind with the Catholics but they did wrong and they know it. Apologetic articles like this serve no purpose but to direct attention to the dogs who barked and deflect attention from the dog who didn't bark.

[fortunecookie]

Well said. And more of us need to get the word out.

[kitkat]

*******from 1979 and beyond, I was on the clinical and research staff at Johns Hopkins Sex Disorders Clinic and it's precursor--no expert I knew of ever asserted it could be cured.

---

So much for your experience at Johns Hopkins Sex Disorders Clinic. Read the following:

****Washington Times
Augut 21, 2002

     If you found the clergy sex abuse scandal shocking, prepare for another jolt: the Catholic bishops are getting their "expert" advice on pedophilia from people who have covered up or even defended sex between men and children.
     The bishops recently chose Dr. Paul McHugh, former chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins University School of Medicine, as chief behavioral scientist for their new clergy sex crimes review board. Yet Dr. McHugh once said Johns Hopkins' Sexual Disorders Clinic, which treats molesters, was justified in concealing multiple incidents of child rape and fondling to police, despite a state law requiring staffers to report them.
      "We did what we thought was appropriate," said Dr. McHugh, then director of Hopkins' Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, which oversaw the sex clinic. He agreed with his subordinate, clinic head Fred Berlin, who broke the then-new child sexual abuse law on the grounds that it might keep child molesters from seeking treatment.
      Dr. Berlin admitted he had covered for the sex criminals, angering legislators, child-advocacy groups and state officials. But his actions were not surprising, because "at least eight men have been convicted of sexually abusing Maryland children while under [Dr. Berlin´s] treatment there," according to the March 23, 1988, issue of the Capital. Despite a 1990 Government Accounting Office study that found no therapy program that stopped sex offenders, Dr. Berlin said in 1994 that psychiatry can "effectively control" sex criminals. ****

Especially, please read Dr. Berlin's statement in 1994 which said that, "psychiatry can 'effectively control' sex criminals."
 

[aimhigh]

What pastoral responsibilities do you think Bishops have toward errant priests?

The scriptures tell us that if an elder (church leader) is caught in sin, they are to be rebuked publically. And if they no longer meet the qualifications for leadership (1 Tim 3) they should be removed from leadership and lead back to God.

[altura]

You forgot blah, blah, blah ...

This refusal by the defenders of the "celibate" priesthood to admit that limiting the priesthood to unmarried men has caused a disproportionate number of gays to be attracted to the priesthood is ridiculous.

Even the author of Goodbye Good Men couldn't let go of the fantasy that unmarried priesthood was not a contributor.

My own priest (Episcopal) argued this as well. So I asked him ... would you have become a priest if it meant you couldn't marry. He admitted he wouldn't have.

This limitation definitely does dramatically reduce the pool of applicants and it certainly does increase the number of homosexual applicants. Yes, most of the crimes were committed by homosexual priests against young boys (not children).

So ????? Why don't they wake up. Celibacy in the priesthood is not Biblical.

[John W]

You needed to ask your priest the follow-up,question-"Had your calling been more important than celibacy,would you have turned gay?"I mean,celibacy is celibacy,it allows no sexual relations,not just no heterosexual relations.

[Oceanus]

The problem with the Catholic Church is the Catholic Church. The pedophile priests are a symptom of the deep and abiding foundational problems within the organization as a whole. It is a almost completely corroded organization today, and it does more harm than good to the spiritual destiny of those who subscribe to its “theology.” I’m not a 7th Day Adventist, but frankly, I think those people are on to something concerning the Catholic Church…

[Rudder]

I know Fred Berlin and Paul McHugh quite well and what Fred said was not that the disorder can be cured but that it could be controlled. Fred et al was using medroxyprogesterone acetate as an antiandrogenic therapy--(e.g., chemical "castration") it worked. The problem was that the patients would escape control by going on drug-free holidays. Most of those were referred to us by the court and when they eloped a warrant was issued for their arrest.

Regarding McHugh's statements: The law is clear: The patient owns the record and unless there is a direct threat to harm someone, it is illegal to divulge confidential information. If there is a direct threat made then it is illegal to withold the information.

Harboring wanted criminals is blatantly illegal and that was never condoned at JHH.

Gotta go out--back in a few...

[Rudder]

BTW, I disagree with Fred inasmuch as I believe incarceration is also required to control pedophilia.