Cardinal Müller: Clergy Sex Abuse Involves Sexual Misconduct, Not Merely Clericalism

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Jan. 23 2019

Cardinal Müller: Clergy Sex Abuse Involves Sexual Misconduct, Not Merely Clericalism​

Speaking with the Register, the former head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith says Church leaders must acknowledge the central role homosexuality has played in the abuse crisis.​

Edward Pentin National Catholic Register

Those who reduce clergy sex abuse to clericalism and never mention the role that homosexuality has played in the crisis “don’t want to confront the true reasons” for the abuse, Cardinal Gerhard Müller has told . . .

The prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also said these groups and individuals who publicly hold these views are against priestly celibacy and are exploiting such abuse crimes “for their own agenda.” . . .

The German cardinal, . . . said he believed academic theology is facing “a breakdown” and that “more qualified theologians” are needed . . .

“Some Church’s leaders don’t realize the deep crisis the Church is in,” he said. “We must learn from the mistakes of history and learn from the great reform movements.”

Your Eminence, what is your view of the argument that clerical sex abuse is the result of clericalism?

It’s very unjust against Jesus, who gave spiritual power and authority to the apostles and bishops, with their priests. The large majority of such abuses are not due to the sacrament of holy orders, but to sexual incontinence, a false understanding of sexuality, not respecting the Sixth Commandment. . . .

. . . . Why are some Church leaders pushing the clericalism argument but never mentioning homosexuality?

I think they don’t want to confront the true reasons for sexual abuse of minors, of boys and young men, and want to make their own agenda. They’re against celibacy

. . . What are your hopes for the February conference?

There has yet to be an analysis or diagnosis of the true reasons of the crisis, and you cannot give the right treatment with the wrong diagnosis. Take, for example, my broken wrist that happened when I fell a few weeks ago. I went to the doctor and told him I have so much pain in this hand, and it’s as if he would have said: “It has nothing to do with a broken hand. It’s because you’re an ivory-tower professor who trips over his own feet; you must go to a psychologist and have your mind changed. Then you’ll have no more pain.” It’s absurd. We must confront reality . . .

. . . . What do you make of the Pope’s recent comments on homosexuality in a recent interview, that homosexual priests who perform such acts should consider leaving the priesthood?

. . . The Pope was absolutely right. Homosexual practice is not acceptable, not with adults and absolutely not with minors. More than 80% of the victims of sexual abuse are young boys, adolescent male minors, over 14 years. This is a homosexual act . . .
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www.ncregister.com

Cardinal Müller: Clergy Sex Abuse Involves Sexual Misconduct, Not Merely Clericalism

Speaking with the Register, the former head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith says Church leaders must acknowledge the central role homosexuality has played in the abuse crisis.
www.ncregister.com www.ncregister.com
 
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Good interview. Agree or not with everything the man says, you can’t argue his contribution to everything he engages in. One thing he said I would note:
We need more qualified theologians and have an appreciation for them. There are certain different forms of theology: The Church Fathers, the scholastics, were inspired by other philosophers, but we have a legitimate plurality of theology on the same basis of the faith.
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I have always admired the way the Church utilizes both liberal and traditional theologians. I see this failing he speaks of partially a result of modern communication, where the best blogger, author, most dynamic speaker, takes a greater role than his education and competence should permit.

I also admire the way he gives his answer without really running anyone down, as is proper when dealing with the press.
 
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I’m going to criticize Edward Pentin’s writing. But it’s not just his article here, it’s a style of writing that I see more and more. It’s taking one-word or two-word or more-word quotes out of their full context, and manipulating them into something similar but different. If the differences are subtle enough, no one will notice, perhaps even whoever is using the quotes out of context.

Take the following example from this article. There are three quotes intermingled with Pentin’s writing, as if Cardinal Müller’s words could not be understood on their own, and Mr. Pentin has to help them along:
The German cardinal, who has been giving many interviews and talks on the crisis in the Church since Pope Francis asked him to step down as prefect in July 2017, also said he believed academic theology is facing “a breakdown” and that “more qualified theologians” are needed, along with “an appreciation for them.”
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Mr. Pentin changes the meaning of Cardinal Müller’s words in the following example:

What Cardinal Müller said:
“I think they don’t want to confront the true reasons for sexual abuse of minors, of boys and young men, and want to make their own agenda. They’re against celibacy, against the Sixth Commandment, and therefore they instrumentalize abuse and this terrible situation for their own agenda.”

Mr. Pentin’s interpretation of Cardinal Müller’s remarks:
“The prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also said these groups and individuals who publicly hold these views are against priestly celibacy and are exploiting such abuse crimes “for their own agenda.” “

Cardinal Müller didn’t use the term priestly celibacy, but Mr. Pentin decides to include the term in his interpretation. An obvious problem emerges from this misinterpreted remark…When I hear the term ‘priestly celibacy’ mentioned as an agenda, I think of allowing priests to marry women - I don’t think of homosexuality and pediphelia. And it’s clear that Cardinal Müller isn’t referring to priests being able to marry, but Mr. Pentin has muddied the waters.
 
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1Lord1Faith said:
I’m going to criticize Edward Pentin’s writing.
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You know, I did not read a word he wrote. I just read Cardinal Mueller’s words for that very reason. I even skip the parts where quotes are incorporated into an author’s own words.
 
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I’m not sure it is clear that Cardinal Mueller was not referring to priestly celibacy. They are talking about some church members who don’t want to talk about the abuse crisis being homosexual, and who are instead focusing on other issues, like celibacy. We have other Cardinals like Cardinal Marx who have openly proposed an end to priestly celibacy. Why would Cardinal Mueller be talking about celibacy in general and not priestly celibacy when they are discussing sexual abuse by priests? That is unnecessarily broad.
 
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FirstFiveEighth said:
Why would Cardinal Mueller be talking about celibacy in general and not priestly celibacy when they are discussing sexual abuse by priests?
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Cardinal Müller said:
“They’re against celibacy, against the Sixth Commandment,…”

And

“The large majority of such abuses are not due to the sacrament of holy orders, but to sexual incontinence, a false understanding of sexuality, not respecting the Sixth Commandment.“

AFAIK the Sixth Commandment doesn’t prohibit priests from marriage. Cardinal Müller probably was referring to priestly celibacy. But, I think the thrust of the argument wasn’t about priestly celibacy, but was about priests invoking a sort of ‘fundamental option’ about not needing to follow the 6th Commandment. But Pentin decided to make priestly celibacy the issue.
 
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1Lord1Faith . . .
AFAIK the Sixth Commandment doesn’t prohibit priests from marriage.
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.

He is giving a list of things they are against 1Lord1Faith.

He is not suggesting the things on his list are the same thing.
  • They are against celibacy (in the context of the priesthood)
  • They are against the sixth commandment
.

.

Not . . .

.
  • They are against celibacy (they are against the sixth commandment)
 
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That’s why I’m wondering why Pentin decided to mention priestly celibacy when the issue with sexual abuse has nothing to do with priestly celibacy. It has to do with the other things Cardinal Müller mentioned. Cardinal Müller seems to mention celibacy in passing, while his focus in clearly on priests breaking the Sixth Commandment through some sort of justification like a ‘fundamental option’.
 
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1Lord1Faith . . .
That’s why I’m wondering why Pentin decided to mention priestly celibacy when the issue with sexual abuse has nothing to do with priestly celibacy.
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Because that has been a hot topic of discussion.

Why is it a hot topic of discussion?

The Vatican has been giving out “leaks” about these very issues in relation to this fall’s panamazonian synod (where these issues will likely be trotted out formally).

The leaks are meant to spur discussion and guage resistance.

In political parlance this is called “floating a balloon”. (The leak sources are often unnamed and on the information is “leaked” on purpose)
 
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There seems to be enough hot air to float a rather large balloon.
 
There seems to be enough hot air to float a rather large balloon.
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Ha. Maybe that’s what happens with “hot” topics.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut 1Lord1Faith.
 
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