Catholic Church Administration of Sex Abusers

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sulkow82

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Hello,
I was debating someone over the Catholic Church and the sex abuse scandal (I’m defending the Church). The claim was made that the Church never willfully handed over any priest to civil authorities for prosecution. While priests were handed over, it is because “they were taken” for prosecution, as opposed to being “handed over.”

How should I respond to the claim that the Church literally handed over zero (0) priests for prosecution (even those who were actually guilty). I have openly admitted that abuse has taken place.

Thanks in advance,
 
sulkow82 said:
Hello,
I was debating someone over the Catholic Church and the sex abuse scandal (I’m defending the Church). The claim was made that the Church never willfully handed over any priest to civil authorities for prosecution. While priests were handed over, it is because “they were taken” for prosecution, as opposed to being “handed over.”

How should I respond to the claim that the Church literally handed over zero (0) priests for prosecution (even those who were actually guilty). I have openly admitted that abuse has taken place.

Thanks in advance,
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How many criminals has anyone ever “handed over” to the police? This is just a silly game of semantics on the part of whoever is arguing against the Church. Civilians don’t “hand over” anyone to the authorities. ALL criminals who are caught are taken into custody by the police, not vice-versa.
 
An abuser priest is not in the custody of the Church and therefore cannot be ‘handed over’.

The Church certainly now does (or is prepared to) involve the judicial authorities if allegations of abuse are made to it before they are made to the authorities. In the UK, the Church has very strong guidelines on the matter. Each parish is required to have a Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Officer, selected from the Laity, who is subjected to enhanced criminal background checking (which includes not just actual convictions but any reports or complaints made, even if they went nowhere). That Officer is then charged with receiving and handling the initial complaints in a Parish context and is required to involve the Police at the first report of any abuse having taken place. It is written into the rules. I was a Safeguarding Officer for 5 years - I retired from it last year. Thankfully I never had to report anyone. What I did do, though, was make sure that ALL the volunteers in the Parish were also background checked if they had any contact with children or vulnerable adults as part of their voluntary roles. These checks were then counter-checked by the Diocese and no volunteer was allowed to interact with children or vulnerable adults until their Police checks came back clear.

Similar arrangements will be made elsewhere in the world, as appropriate to jurisdiction.

I don’t know how many priests have been reported by Church officials to the legal authorities, but you can certainly point to my testimony and confirm it against UK Diocesan practise (just look up safeguarding policy on any UK diocese website) in order to help you defend the church against scurrilous accusations.
 
This article addresses the issue.

“For example, the U.S. bishops’ norms on sexual abuse, which were revised and approved by the Vatican in 2002, stated clearly: “The diocese/eparchy will comply with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities and will cooperate in their investigation.” In many cases, civil law mandates that church authorities report such allegations.”

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1001018.htm
 
Everyone: Thanks so much for the information here. I am having to answer Anti-Catholic statements on FB for the past several weeks. I get so tired of having to defend my faith everytime I turn around but it has forced me to research so I thank you all for this thread and the information within.
 
You have received many comments here, but one must realize that the Church has a special mandate, administering the sacraments, and on it’s own bases the Sacrament of Reconciliation not particularly popular nor understood in the secular world. (a sad irony, it would be if the flock would return to the fold).

Many of the cases where information concerning such activity was received was in the context of the confessional. In such a context the priest, as well as stating penance to be done, will advise as to what the penitent should do. Here the action he suggests coincides with the suggested official action, ie: make amends with society.

This meets the requirements of society.

(Just between you and me, if the next step is to reveal what is said there, then as a Catholic I no longer have one sacrament to my avail as Christ promised, as turned protestant, and any Catholic can rightly question the legitimacy and authority of the Church).

Now if firstly a priest receives the information first hand, after first verifying in the truth of the evidence, he can exercise his civil duty and carry out the civil process. I would assume he would exercise due charity and confront the person as per fraternal correction. My guess is first hand cases are the exception. Most information got is received under the seal, also limiting actions that the priest can employ. This clarifies why attempts were made to remedy the situation in the best way the Church could.

The remedy does not require the Church route to solve abuses. Parents receiving news can have an investigation done on their own initiative, and the Church backs them in this.
The authorities could do it’s part to pave the way for a fair due process system. I feel a pre-weeding out of silly charges could be implemented by civil authority. The Church has forked over thousands who claim abuse while they were in their twenties, an obvious money grab. Catholics are obliged to vent public outrage at these cases. Secondly, 15 year olds in general know all about sex, what’s right and what’s wrong, and searching my own teen years, could even teach sexual instruction to adults.
 
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