Pennsylvania Priest Caught in Sex Scandal

[TerryOfromCA]

…Sad news out of Pennsylvania. a Diocesan priest from Scranton was arrested over the weekend on the campus of Penn State with a teenage boy…

The good new is that this proves the safeguards put in place are working. The guy got caught and dealt with.

Bad news is: More homosexuality in the priesthood. If you’re attracted to a teenager, that ain’t pedophilia.

 

[seekerz]

Indeed. I’ve pointed out where you have incorrectly made comments about my mindset on the issue and misrepresented my concern for children several times. Your preference to ignore data and paint those who don’t ignore data as not caring about girls, teenagers, children, etc. is absolutely incredible to me.

Whoa, whoa. This NOT about me. Thanks for the compliment but I did not invent the scientific process.

data (definition): facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.
synonyms: facts, figures, statistics, details, particulars, specifics; information, intelligence, material, (name removed by moderator)ut; informalinfo
“a lack of data on the drug’s side effects”

It is generally accepted in the scientific community, that ‘collected together’ involves multiple sources, researchers, sites and populations.

 

[GraceSofia]

Priests do get moved around a lot. I don’t know why this particular priest was moved around. As far as “demotion,” are you referring to being a “pastor” in one parish and then “assistant pastor” in another? It depends on what type of “pastor” and the size of the parishes.

I didn’t know that. I thought they stayed for years in one place. Yes, that’s what I meant. He was assistant pastor several places, then is pastor in only place (although it looks like he covered more than one parish?), then he goes back to being assistant pastor for the rest of his assignments.

I don’t know, but it is a valid question anytime someone is accused of sexual abuse in their workplace. You want to find out if they have done it at previous posts. As noted, victims often don’t report abuse.

It may be a valid question, but I’ve not noticed it being done with teachers. Doesn’t mean that it isn’t done, just I haven’t noticed it.

 

[seekerz]

Per a couple of other articles, it was the priest who placed the ad looking for “companionship” (per his own admission), and the boy who answered the ad.

timesleader.com/news/local/848582/

So the child answered the ad looking for companionship and who, was ‘asking for it’? The adult who should know better, or a boy whom we don’t know anything about? Do we even know his IQ? I’m outraged on his behalf that he is being blamed, but then again there is truly ‘nothing new under the sun’…

 

[SaintAugustine]

Whoa, whoa. This NOT about me. Thanks for the compliment but I did not invent the scientific process.

data (definition): facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.
synonyms: facts, figures, statistics, details, particulars, specifics; information, intelligence, material, (name removed by moderator)ut; informalinfo
“a lack of data on the drug’s side effects”

It is generally accepted in the scientific community, that ‘collected together’ involves multiple sources, researchers, sites and populations.

Actually, “collected together” with regards to the definition of “data” means no such thing. It is true that multiple, peer-reviewed studies are preferred when evaluating data, but that is different…and a single study isn’t invalid just because it is the only study.

I was only pointing out that you completely reject the study based on its solitary existence. It is your preference to ignore it, but it is definitely you deciding to ignore it.

 

[seekerz]

Actually, “collected together” with regards to the definition of “data” means no such thing. It is true that multiple, peer-reviewed studies are preferred when evaluating data, but that is different…and a single study isn’t invalid just because it is the only study.

I was only pointing out that you completely reject the study based on its solitary existence. It is your preference to ignore it, but it is definitely you deciding to ignore it.

I never said the study was invalid. That does not make it valid either. Until its findings are confirmed or disproven, it is just a single unproven study with findings that should form the basis for further study. It is nowhere near the authoritative document that its proponents make it out to be.

And peer-review is not just ‘preferred’, it is essential to science that matters: social or otherwise.

 

[SaintAugustine]

So the child answered the ad looking for companionship and who, was ‘asking for it’? The adult who should know better, or a boy whom we don’t know anything about? Do we even know his IQ? I’m outraged on his behalf that he is being blamed, but then again there is truly ‘nothing new under the sun’…

Apparently, both were “asking for it.” If you answer an ad for “companionship” in that part of Craigslist, you are seeking sex.

Also, I’ve not “blamed” him for the event. Again, you’ve accused me of something I’ve never posted. The reality is that they were both seeking sex. The priest committed crimes by soliciting and engaging in sexual acts with a minor. The fact that the minor answered his ad and had some complicity in the acts do not mean it is his fault that the crime occurred.

 

[SaintAugustine]

I never said the study was invalid. That does not make it valid either. Until its findings are confirmed or disproven, it is just a single unproven study with findings that should form the basis for further study. It is nowhere near the authoritative document that its proponents make it out to be.

And peer-review is not just ‘preferred’, it is essential to science that matters: social or otherwise.

Fair enough. You didn’t say it was invalid; you just choose to ignore its findings. I stand corrected.

 

[seekerz]

Apparently, both were “asking for it.” If you answer an ad for “companionship” in that part of Craigslist, you are seeking sex.

Also, I’ve not “blamed” him for the event. Again, you’ve accused me of something I’ve never posted. The reality is that they were both seeking sex. The priest committed crimes by soliciting and engaging in sexual acts with a minor. The fact that the minor answered his ad and had some complicity in the acts do not mean it is his fault that the crime occurred.

You are not blaming him but you say it is a reality that they were both seeking sex? You are in no position to assign complicity to him on the basis of the information we have, so yes, you are in fact blaming him alongside of a grown, man of the cloth.

In REALITY you have no idea what the boy was seeking. He may have been seeking a roof over his head, he may be intellectually impaired. The TRUTH is that you do not know, but you feel comfortable making him complicit for something you THINK you know.

 

[seekerz]

Fair enough. You didn’t say it was invalid; you just choose to ignore its findings. I stand corrected.

No, I didn’t ignore its finding either. It’s findings cannot be used as a basis to make theoretical generalizations about offending priests because they have not been validated or reproduced outside this single study.

Sorry, I don’t make this stuff up, I’m just the messenger. Science is a process that’s pretty much established.

 

[SaintAugustine]

You are not blaming him but you say it is a reality that they were both seeking sex? You are in no position to assign complicity to him on the basis of the information we have, so yes, you are in fact blaming him alongside of a grown, man of the cloth.

In REALITY you have no idea what the boy was seeking. He may have been seeking a roof over his head, he may be intellectually impaired. The TRUTH is that you do not know, but you feel comfortable making him complicit for something you THINK you know.

Give it a rest.

If it is true that the priest posted an ad on Craigslist and the teenager responded, then they were both seeking sex. Do I know that for a fact? No. I’m basing it on what has been reported by the police to the news outlets.

Now, you can continue to assume, without any basis in facts, that the boy was a completely innocent lamb who accidentally responded to an ad by the priest requesting “companionship” in the sex ad section of Craigslist without realizing that sex might be involved, if you like. I have no control over your ability to reason things out.

 

[seekerz]

Give it a rest.

If it is true that the priest posted an ad on Craigslist and the teenager responded, then they were both seeking sex. Do I know that for a fact? No. I’m basing it on what has been reported by the police to the news outlets.

Now, you can continue to assume, without any basis in facts, that the boy was a completely innocent lamb who accidentally responded to an ad by the priest requesting “companionship” in the sex ad section of Craigslist without realizing that sex might be involved, if you like. I have no control over your ability to reason things out.

No you give it a rest. Is it so hard to understand that you cannot place a child alongside an adult PRIEST in matters such as this? It’s not rocket science: one’s the alleged victim and one is the alleged criminal.

 

[TerryOfromCA]

So the child answered the ad…

Do you consider a teenager to be a child? Teenagers are fighting in our wars. Teenagers are Marines and Soldiers and Sailors. How old was this teenager anyway.

 

[seekerz]

Do you consider a teenager to be a child? Teenagers are fighting in our wars. Teenagers are Marines and Soldiers and Sailors. How old was this teenager anyway.

What I consider is immaterial. In our modern society, teenagers are children. Now there may be places in the world where a boy acquires by age 15, all the skills, reasoning and maturity required for functioning as an adult in his neck of the woods, but in this society, in our laws, AND in our Church, a teenager is simply an older child. That’s why they can’t vote, drink (even if they fight in wars) or consent to sex below the age set in law.

 

[TerryOfromCA]

What I consider is immaterial. In our modern society, teenagers are children…

!8 and 19 year olds are NOT children. They are adults
And 16 and 17 year olds are pretty much just as mature as !8 and 19 year olds.
So I don’t know what you are blabbering about.

The priest committed a sin and violated his oath and should be punish. But if the teenager was an adult or pretty darn close then he is just as much a sinner as the priest.

 

[WildCatholic]

I was referencing a real academic study done by a Catholic priest. According to the priest, his studies suggested “up to 60 percent of Catholic priests are gay,” and that percentages were even higher for younger priests. The study I am referencing is in the link below. That a significant number of priests may be gay/Same-sex attracted does NOT mean they are actively engaging in behavior that is against current Church doctrine.

As Pope Francis reminded us, “if someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

usnews.com/news/articles/2013/07/29/catholic-priests-its-empirical-fact-that-many-clergy-are-gay

Okay LP, i have a question for you then, if so many young priests are gay, then why do I know so many seminarians who struggle with being attracted to women. Unless I know all the straight seminarians in my diocese i doubt its as high as 70%. My estimate is maybe 10 to 15% and thats really high. Even if that were the case, how many actually have homosexual relations. Most probably wouldn’t. Truth is, priests, like the general male population are overwhelmingly hetero. That being said, yes there is nothing wrong being gay, but only if celibate

 

[seekerz]

!8 and 19 year olds are NOT children. They are adults
And 16 and 17 year olds are pretty much just as mature as !8 and 19 year olds.
So I don’t know what you are blabbering about.

The priest committed a sin and violated his oath and should be punish. But if the teenager was an adult or pretty darn close then he is just as much a sinner as the priest.

My, my, why so upset? I’m blabbering but you haven’t even read the OP! Now that’s a first. Want to take on rewriting the laws too, while you’re taking me on?

 

[TerryOfromCA]

My, my, why so upset?..

I’m not upset. I am just perturbed that this issue is always wrongly characterized. Attraction to older teenaged boys by a priest is homosexuality, not pedophilia. And thats why we can never root out the problem because they keep ordaining these homosexual perverts.

 

[seekerz]

I’m not upset. I am just perturbed that this issue is always wrongly characterized. Attraction to older teenaged boys by a priest is homosexuality, not pedophilia. And thats why we can never root out the problem because they keep ordaining these homosexual perverts.

Oh my, another new definition. Now the term for men’s attraction to older male teenagers is homosexuality? And I was just learning to spell that ehepo-whatever too…Aw, shucks. Just when you think you’ve been properly re-educated to say the politically correct things…

 

[TerryOfromCA]

Oh my, another new definition. Now the term for attraction to teenagers is homosexuality?..

It depends on how old they are. Once again, 18 and 19 year olds are adults. Why is that so hard for you to understand.

The medical definition of Pedophilia is attraction to a pre-pubescent child. Attraction to an 18 year old, who is an adult, is homosexuality. That ain’t rocket science man.