Did The Priesthood Become A Refuge For "Different" Men?

[brishen]

I think we need to remember that statistically there are more abusers in the general population than the priesthood. This is unfortunately a human issue. The Church’s mishandling of the abuse was what could have been different and hopefully has changed drastically.

 

[Phrancez]

I think a surge of ill-suited men joined the priesthood (for at least a while) beginning in the mist to late 1960s.

In addition, I think a considerable number of very well suited men were turned off from seminary/the priesthood by many of the seminarians/priests they ran into.

 

[mythbuster1]

Just the tip of the iceberg. The Great Tribulation will be so fierce that Christians will have to starve rather than renounce Christ.

 

[mythbuster1]

True, but there’s another aspect here: doubtless there are a multitude of men who are tempted with sexual perversion, but who nevertheless affirm Catholic teaching on marriage. It is no surprise that some of them would say to God, “I am psychologically unable to marry, but still I want to be faithful to Your commands, so I will consecrate my life to Your service in the priesthood.” The trouble is, Satan sees their struggles, too, and he wants to make priests fall, because holy priests are a threat to him. It’s no surprise then, that the priesthood they thought would be their refuge from temptation instead multiplies it, and thus many men who sincerely wanted to obey God by becoming priests fell so severely.

 

[JMMJ]

think we need to remember that statistically there are more abusers in the general population than the priesthood. This is unfortunately a human issue. The Church’s mishandling of the abuse was what could have been different and hopefully has changed drastically

Add to that, that until recently, parents put far too much trust in their clergy. I grew up in a time where priests would take parish kids on overnight camping trips, etc. Parents would blindly turn their kids over to a man they really didn’t know much about, other than that he wore a collar and said mass on Sunday. Given the world we live in today, it is scary to think that it was the way things were. But it was.

 

[CzechMan]

One issue is whether this problem is more common among Catholic clergy, as some assume, or not at all. Concerning the second largest denomination in the United States, the Southern Baptist Convention, recently there was prominent news about abuse of children among their pastors. Of course it is different there as the pastors are usually married, and the screening is different too, as it is done only by the local congregation. But we don’t know if it is less common among them than among Catholic priests. So the issue of Catholic priests being usually unmarried, except in eastern rites or among convert priests, might well not be relevant. There are perverts in every religion, who abuse children.

 

[brishen]

As I said it’s a “uncommon,” thank Gd, problem among humans, men more so. Men are in all religions so we will find it in all, particularly where men in authority may be seen as infallible. I know in my case to teach CCD I must be finger printed and have background check every 3 years, went through a child protection seminar, and take 2 weeks from the normal CCD curriculum to teach a special curriculum on abuse and inappropriate sexual behavior. So this is an improvement, though I acknowledge does not heal old wounds.

 

[brishen]

This is highly disrespectful if you really meant “Poop,” and even if you didn’t. Consider the beam in your own eye, as they say.

 

[Dovekin]

I can’t help but feel the answer to my question is yes. By different I mean men attracted to other men, to children, etc. “I’ll never fit in might as well become a priest”. I have no doubt some (probably many) men entered in this way and became good faithful priests. But I also think it brought in bad actors. And should we want men to enter the priesthood for that type of reason?

Should we want men who are humble enough to recognise that they are “disordered” to turn to the only place that might allow them a normal life with that disorder? I do not know the answer to that.

Put another way, the Church says ssa is unnatural and disordered and all should be celibate rather than give in to it. Should we want them to be celibate? If we have a group of celibate men, should we say “you cannot join these people either”?

The sexual revolution of the 60s gave homosexuals a place in society. A place for people who had no place before. It did not lead to more disordered people joining the priesthood; it probably led to fewer as more became aware of alternatives.

As for true pedophiles, people attracted to young children, there still is no place for them in the Church or in society. Should we exclude them from one of the few places where everyone struggles with their attractions? Or would we rather leave them to struggle alone and unsupervised?

 

[runningdude]

I can’t help but feel the answer to my question is yes. By different I mean men attracted to other men, to children, etc. “I’ll never fit in might as well become a priest”. I have no doubt some (probably many) men entered in this way and became good faithful priests. But I also think it brought in bad actors. And should we want men to enter the priesthood for that type of reason?

Have you done ANY research?

Asking uniformed questions is just going to get you a flood of answers that will only reinforce your preconceived notions and biases.

 

[jack63]

Should we want men who are humble enough to recognise that they are “disordered” to turn to the only place that might allow them a normal life with that disorder? I do not know the answer to that.

Put another way, the Church says ssa is unnatural and disordered and all should be celibate rather than give in to it. Should we want them to be celibate? If we have a group of celibate men, should we say “you cannot join these people either”?

Here is my concern with this. About 29% - 30% of the US population lives in areas that are either rural or generally small towns (less than 50k). Most of these areas will be ministered to by diocesan priests. The orders of priests (e.g. Dominicans, Jesuits, etc.) are far more likely to minister to large cities or academic communities. This means that if a homosexual priest is looking for a “normal” life as a diocesan priest, they are likely to instead find an extremely isolating life. This will cause even more problems for them and others around them.

 

[Dovekin]

This means that if a homosexual priest is looking for a “normal” life as a diocesan priest, they are likely to instead find an extremely isolating life. This will cause even more problems for them and others around them.

Just as it causes problems for heterosexual priests. And that is the point, the problems are similar for every priest. They are normal, not something caused by his “disorder.”

Pray for these priests who take on such burdens for our sakes.

 

[Niblo]

Like ‘this went on for years but it won’t any more it was a 60s thing ’ doesn’t cut it for me. Time will tell I guess. Please remember that I’m not a cradle catholic and feel grossly disillusioned right now (not even been a year )

‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.’ (Philippians 4:8).

It has been my privilege to know many priests over the years; men who devoted themselves to Christ through serving, faithfully, both Church and flock. One of them was gay - but celibate - and just as true to his calling as any of his fellow priests.

The actions of a few – no matter how despicable (and now I am thinking of those who abuse children) – ought not to tarnish the integrity, and admirable behaviour, of the many.

I understand your disillusionment; but please don’t allow it to overcome you.

 

[Norseman82]

Another thing to consider: is it possible that many men went into seminary to avoid military service during the wartime and draft years (roughly 1940-1974)?

 

[ashtonhanslow]

Men to enter priesthood for only that reason will not be justified. the priesthood is something we have to do in a spiritual way. there should not be any personal reasons for it.

 

[jack63]

As for true pedophiles, people attracted to young children, there still is no place for them in the Church or in society. Should we exclude them from one of the few places where everyone struggles with their attractions? Or would we rather leave them to struggle alone and unsupervised?

I really had to respond to this one. This comment just disturbed me way too much. Without the faintest doubt in my mind, true pedophiles should be excluded from religious vocations. I pray they stay out and far far away from religious vocations. The Catholic church’s job can’t be to act as a societal psychiatric institution that hides the true reality of things. Also, in a religious settings pedophiles will always have access throughout their lives to children and young adults.

 

[VanitasVanitatum]

Pedophiles will always have access to children unless they’re locked away or something.

 

[jack63]

I don’t disagree with this, but it can’t be the Catholic Church’s job to supervise them and watch over them…especially not under the guise that they have a religious vocation.

 

[VanitasVanitatum]

That’s true.

 

[Dovekin]

in a religious settings pedophiles will always have access throughout their lives to children and young adults.

There are religious settings with limited access to children, up to communities of hermits. I am not sure if that is important.

I agree with you for the most part. That was my point in fact, that the argument I was making could also be applied to pedophiles, and that would be inappropriate. I disagree only with your idea that the Church should not be responsible for supervising pedophiles. EVERYONE should be responsible for protecting children, which includes some supervision of pedophiles. For the Church, that can be a problem, since we cannot isolate people as if they were not loved by God.