[maryz]

Each new report sets the date earlier. Somehow I doubt it started in the United States.

Your post seems to suggest you feel the whole sex abuse scandal is monolithic, almost centralized, perhaps with its own unbroken tradition -- rather than just disparate and more or less spontaneous eruptions.

[RobbyS]

Once upon a time thse things were like boils, which were promptly lanced. What happened after 1970 was that they no longer were.

[Desdemona]

How do I say this....

I have no doubt there are secrets beyond our imagining behind the walls of the Vatican. I believe the earliest roots of this scandal is one of them, but I don't really believe that it's too much more than a century or so old. Something just tells me it's not. It has to go earlier than WWII, just based on ages of some of the accused and figuring that they have to be at least second generation. And I have not much more than gut feeling to go on. But, in the US, homosexuality has never been really acceptable. Manliness is VERY desired and admired here. It just doesn't fit that it would be strictly an American problem originating here.

Another thing...every story and account has a tiny piece of the puzzle. It hasn't been put together yet. There's more than is being reported. But, the number of references to Rome is starting to stack up. I'm sure it was all underground and kept VERY close to the chest, so close, it's possible that it went unnoticed for a long time. When necessary, everybody can keep their mouths shut.

If the Vatican knew in the early 1960's, even by just an annonymous tip, and didn't do anything diffinitive, the rot was already at the top. Since conspiracy theories are not allowed here, um, I can't give what I honestly believe is the truth. Let's just say, I believe that evil is amazingly powerful and can organize.

Now how much Law knew or knows, only he and the Almighty can say for sure. The cover-up, on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish.

I've probably watched "All the President's Men" one too many times.