Catholic Psychology and Sexual Abuse by Clergy (Part 1) [Zenit]

[Catholic_Press]

Interview With Gerard van den Aardweg

By Genevieve Pollock

HAARLEM, Netherlands, APRIL 27, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Pedophiliac behavior – as in cases of child sexual abuse by clergy – cannot be equated with homosexuality, but research reveals that the two are not disconnected either, says a Catholic psychotherapist.

Gerard van den Aardweg has worked as a therapist for almost 50 years in his homeland of Holland, specializing in cases of homosexuality and marital problems. He has taught worldwide and written extensively on homosexuality and pedophilia, as well as the relation of these issues to other topics: same-sex attraction in the priesthood, “Humane Vitae,” and the effects of gay parenting.

The psychologist’s published books include: “Battle for Normality: Self-Therapy of Homosexuality” and “On the Origins and Treatment of Homosexuality.”

More…

 

[Sherry_G]

I read this article with interest this AM and know that this position will create a firestorm among the homosexual community, although the psychologist seems to have clear evidence to support the link between homosexuality and pedophelia. What happened in the Church is a microcosm of what has happened in society in general. The fight among the gay community to create an attitude that this “lifestyle” is “normal” does not make it so. Infiltration of evil into our church mirrors infiltration of evil into society in general. Secular media has not picked up this story and run with it due to “political correctness”.

 

[Shaken]

I think this whole furor could result in psychiatry taking control of the Catholic Church. If psychiatry is allowed to monitor and analyse and treat the clergy, prescriptions for psychiatric drugs would be inevitable. Those drugs interfere with normal brain function causing bad judgement. That would leave the treating psychiatrist directing the treated clergy which would put psychiatry in charge of the Church.

That would be bad, bad, bad because psychiatry is notoriously amoral and areligious. Their control would wreak havoc on dogma and on all the matters of faith other than the celibacy issue that is being sifted now.

So we should probably follow the Pope’s advice about penance. I expect he means the entire body of the faithful should be in Lenten observance indefinitely, should practice the charity of the monasteries that pray for those who cannot pray for themselves, among others.