2) One of the main reasons for this supposed time lapse is that under threat of excommunication, the victim must wait 10 years after he reaches the age of 18 to even speak about the crime with anyone other than a priest
who on earth told you that piece of nonsense?????any child who is molested should tell everyone he knows about it, his or her parents, teachers, trusted adult friend....anyone.....and they will not be excommunicated.....sheesh
We'll just chalk up Roman Catholic ignorance of RCC actions to the secrecy the RCC demands of its members.
Here's is the letter Ratzinger sent out in 2001 where he affirmed CRIMEN SOLLICITATIONIS (pay special attention to paragraphs 11,13 and 42a) all of which is still in effect, still threatening excommunication for anyone who takes these accusations of priest sexual abuse outside the church.
"...It must be noted that the criminal action on delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is extinguished by a prescription of 10 years.(11) The prescription runs according to the universal and common law;(12) however, in the delict perpetrated with a minor by a cleric, the prescription begins to run from the day when the minor has completed the 18th year of age..."
Did you get that? Secrecy is invoked for 10 years after the victime reaches 18. Not even 10 years after the crime occurred. So if a child is seven years old when he's molested by a priest, he must wait 21 years before he can go to someone other than a priest with his accusation.