This is what has made clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church the subject of so many scathing reports, whether from the news media or grand juries: that a cover-up occurred at high levels in many dioceses. When a scandal of this proportion is uncovered, journalists will naturally want to see how far it goes – the basis for the latest round of stories. To say that sexual abuse in other churches or other sectors of society does not get the same media attention misses the point. The issue isn’t that Catholic priests are allegedly prone to commit sexual abuse, but that a small percentage of them were freed to do so, again and again, due to gross mismanagement, secrecy and lack of accountability on the part of church authorities. However dated most of the sexual abuse cases are, this story still calls out to be covered because some of those who failed to stop repeat abusers remain in positions of authority.
See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Let the (Blame) Games Begin
Game Over
An Offering of Ashes
The Roman Catholic Pyramid is Crumbling
Recommended Off-site Links:
The Theocons Dig In - Andrew Sullivan (The Daily Dish, March 29, 2010).
Roman Catholic Church Abuse Allegations Ripple Across the Globe - Brett Michael Dykes (Yahoo! News, March 29, 2010).
A Papal Conversion - John L. Allen, Jr. (The New York Times, March 27, 2010).
Credibility Gap: Pope Needs to Answer Questions - National Catholic Reporter (March 26, 2010).
Catholics Find Ties to the Church Tested by Crisis - Vanessa Gera (Associated Press, March 30, 2010).
2 comments:
May I add this part. This story also cries out because abused persons often take so long to come forward. Over and over, the Vatican mistakenly asserts that there are no recent victims.
Wait a while...
For this reason also, this scandal MUST be covered and the Vatican MUST undertake systemic change.
Excellent point, TheraP. Thanks for sharing it.
Peace,
Michael
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