Pedophilia In The Church

[sthwaitesgd]

I think the CC is getting more attention because it has more media presence than most other denominations. Its sad that it works that way because the CC isn’t the only one dealing with this issue yet it is the taking all the hits.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Sacrament of Reconcilliation is in public view- no more confessionals

Violation of the rights of Catholics to anonymous confession.

 

[ChunkMonk]

Are all homosexuals paedophiles? No.

Are all sodomites sexual deviants? Yes.

Does every sexual deviant molest children? No.

Should any sodomite be allowed near children? Absolutely not.

I don’t care what “studies” performed by activists with an agenda say.

 

[Jamie5]

Are all homosexuals paedophiles? No.

Are all sodomites sexual deviants? Yes.

Does every sexual deviant molest children? No.

Should any sodomite be allowed near children? Absolutely not.

I don’t care what “studies” performed by activists with an agenda say.

Where did you get this nonsense? How do you define “sodomite?” You realize Oral sex is sodomy correct? You realize adults, married or not married, gay or straight, do this right? You realize many of them have children of their own correct? There the no sodomite should be allowed near children makes zero common sense. Zero. It’s obvious that no sex criminal should be allowed near children, in fact they should be in jail.

 

[ChunkMonk]

Oral sex is sodomy, and anyone engaging in that behavior needs to go to Confession immediately. And they most likely should not be allowed near children if they continuously engage in that behavior.

However, sodomy between to males is far more disordered than oral sex between a man and a woman. And it used to be a capital crime, and according to God’s law it still is a capital crime. Someone who would willingly engage in that kind of behavior is highly, highly disordered and we should not allow people with severe sexual disorders be alone with children or around them for any extended period of time.

Only in the last 30-50 years would anyone suggest that sodomites are not at greater risk around children.

 

[Jamie5]

Well thank God, no pun intended, America and most people disagree with you. My neighbors are married, have 3 children, and just happen to be gay. And they happen to be great parents and friends thank you very much.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

It should be stressed that The Keepers happened in the PAST. Liability concerns since then have brought about radical changes, as well as a greater understanding that you don’t just “fix” these problems by transferring a priest. I’m also willing to bet that the general climate of more criticism towards priests nowadays would nip an offender in the bud a lot faster than back in the decades when priests were considered above reproach.

 

[Rau]

The problem is not just with Priests, but also with non-clergy in charge that help in covering it up. My question is why do the non-clergy help to cover it up?

I don’t know about “non-clergy”. But the question that comes to mind is why do more victims not go to the police - coverups rely on ‘everyone’ remaining silent.

 

[Jamie5]

Very recent past. Oh, and have you seen Spotlight? There needs to be even more change and transparency.

 

[Rau]

fighting for the elimination of the statue of limitations for rape and molestation.

That is an understandable response, but is potentially a threat to justice since memories over long periods are demonstrably unreliable.

 

[Jamie5]

So you disagree with the response and think statutes of limitations on rape and molestation cases are are agood idea?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I don’t about “non-clergy”. But the question that comes to mind is why do more victims not go to the police - coverups rely on ‘everyone’ remaining silent.

Victims of sexual abuse are usually traumatized and may have feelings that they will be harmed or not believed if they tell, or may feel guilty if they think (perhaps the abuser makes them think) they contributed to the situation by allegedly leading the abuser on or how they dressed, etc.

Also, abusers are really careful about picking the person who won’t tell or whose family won’t believe them if they did. I guarantee I would have screamed bloody murder and told my mother right away as I was that kind of a kid, and mom would have gone after the guy with a brick, and hence nobody, priest or no priest, ever laid a hand on me. They pick on kids who lack confidence, who don’t have someone to defend them, or who have a dysfunctional family or past abuse.

Having said that, I agree it’s hard to stop these people if victims don’t report timely.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I lived one parish over from Maskell’s last US assignment, I worked in criminal justice including abuse cases, I’ve been aware the Church has an abuse problem since 60 Minutes reported it in either the late 80s or the early 90s. I don’t need the “Hollywood movie version” of this or any crime. I don’t even watch stuff like “Making a Murderer” because in addition to my work I’ve read about 1000 true crimes (not an exaggeration) and I prefer to go straight to the source or talk with involved people. I thought the Keepers was reasonably decent, but like all crime shows for general consumption, it was somewhat biased, especially on its presentation of legal issues. There are a number of very good reasons for statutes of limitations, but they can’t be properly discussed in a show designed to push emotional buttons in the viewing audience.

 

[Rau]

Oral sex is sodomy, and anyone engaging in that behavior…should not be allowed near children if they continuously engage in that behavior.

What risk to children concerns you from a mother & father who engage in say, oral sex acts?

And how could this ever be known, let alone whether it is ‘continuous’.

“Rules” have to be predicated on what can be known (as a minimum).

 

[Rau]

So you disagree with the response and think statutes of limitations on rape and molestation cases are are agood idea?

I assume you are responding to me? I believe that statutes of limitations are in general a good idea and that is why legal systems widely incorporate them. It is difficult in practice to prove “beyond all reasonsble” doubt, relying on personally given evidence of events decades ago, as experience shows personal recollection becomes unreliable. I am in favour of convicting every criminal, but not doing it based on unreliable evidence.

 

[anikins]

Currently, the statue of limitations for rape and molestation stretches beyond victim testimony. In cases where priests have admitted to sex with children, or proof has been provided by proper documentation, these criminals STILL cannot be convicted simply because of the passage of time.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

I am very sorry for what you experienced Melchior.

We get newsletters, public announcements in Mass about changes and actions being taken. It’s in the media. The loud fences on many churches and schools is very public.

Unfortunately people are going to accuse and charge and use reasons like that OP, it’s not something that can be fixed with words.
It can only be fixed by example and with time.

We are the Remnant Catholics of the 21st Century. You are going to find next March, with Cardinal Pell in court again and 50 witnesses , the attitudes are going to get much worse, towards Catholics and the Clergy, for a time.

It’s not going away anytime soon.

Anikans, we must not have that statuate here. Cardinal Pell accusations go way back.
There are currently 3 cases in court, where the Clergy/ religious are guilty, stemming from the 80s and 90s of the 20th century.

The little lady, confession in the open it is not a violation of rights, its Bishop decreed.
It had to happen here. As Pianistclare says, no more no see. I volunteer, these rules apply to everyone.

If the Royal Commission gets its way, Priests are going to be legally liable with jail time if they do not report to police, any person confessing abuse of children and vulnerable.
If that is pushed through, we have huge problems with secular vs religion.

Btw Cardinal Pell maintains his innocence.

 

[Rau]

Currently, the statue of limitations for rape and molestation stretches beyond victim testimony.

I don’t know what that statement means.

In cases where priests have admitted to sex with children, or proof has been provided by proper documentation, these criminals STILL cannot be convicted simply because of the passage of time.

This is true universally under the criminal law. If legislatures can come up with a better solution that seeks justice for all, I imagine they will. But it is no likely to be specific to one particular crime.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Actually it’s not true in Australia in this issue… Look at A few of the latest cases

 

[Rau]

Anikans, we must not have that statuate here.

There is no Statute of Limitations in the criminal law for sexual abuse of children. [I am not sure how wide that limitation applies across similar or other crimes.

For civil law suits: - we do/did, but there have been some changes.

“Victoria was the first State to enact changes to time limitation laws relating to victims of child sexual abuse. In late February 2015 Attorney-General Martin Pakula introduced the Limitation of Actions Amendment (Child Abuse) Act 2015 which states that the time limitation laws do not apply to injuries from sexual abuse, physical abuse or psychological abuse that arise from sexual or physical abuse of a minor.”

“In New South Wales, the Limitation Amendment (Child Abuse) Act 2016 was introduced in to the New South Wales Parliament on 16 February 2016 and assented to on 17 March 2016. The legislation removes the time limit on civil claims for child sexual abuse.[2] The change has been referred to as part of NSW Government’s response to the child sex abuse royal commission.”

Whether or not this is necessarily good law may take quite some time to assess. It is certainly “populist” law.