Reform seminary structure and leadership

[goout]

goout:

Put some strong and competent lay women in positions of leadership

No.

Go back to allow married priests

No.

Women shouldn’t be trying to teach men how to do a job they themselves are incapable of doing.

Letting priests marry is a terrible idea and isn’t needed.

I didn’t suggest women teach something they know nothing about, did I?
Considering married priests is not a terrible idea.

… isn’t needed.

Let me ask you, do you think any repentance (literally “change of thinking”)or change of culture is needed?
Do you have suggestions? Let me suggest that your misinterpretation of the suggestions that were made might be an indication of the problem we face.

 

[nunsuch]

There are already many women teaching in seminaries, and serving as spiritual directors. I know several of them. Those who express horror are really out of the loop.

As for the idea of 'priestly higher-ups" living in the lap of luxury–our retired auxiliary bishop (almost 90 years old) lives in a small apartment in a rectory in the poorest neighborhood in our city. It is a 3rd-floor walkup, and he does his own laundry in the basement. Real luxury. He lives there by choice and has for close to 40 years.

 

[Ioannes_L]

Whenever cases like this show up some people will always blame the lack of women and celibacy.

 

[semper_catholicus]

I disagree with the first two suggestions. I agree with the last one.

 

[Theo2]

Peter T,

Confession is not the problem. Priest in authority in the seminary will not hear the confessions of the seminarians.

 

[goout]

There are already many women teaching in seminaries, and serving as spiritual directors. I know several of them. Those who express horror are really out of the loop.

As for the idea of 'priestly higher-ups" living in the lap of luxury–our retired auxiliary bishop (almost 90 years old) lives in a small apartment in a rectory in the poorest neighborhood in our city. It is a 3rd-floor walkup, and he does his own laundry in the basement. Real luxury. He lives there by choice and has for close to 40 years.

I appreciate those cases.
It’s also a reality that a culture exists where those elements are seriously lacking and are encouraging what we have.
There is a problem.
If anyone has better observations as to what the problem is and what the solutions are we need to hear it.
In Fr McCarrick’s case and others we have a man entrenched in power with access to younger more vulnerable men. These abusive men have positions of power and privilege.

How does he become entrenched?
How does he abuse others without consequences?
How does this culture of male on male abuse happen? (those are the hard numbers folks)

These aren’t things that happen by isolated accidents, they happen by culture.

 

[goout]

Roseeurekacross:

PeterT:

To combat sexual abuse in the seminary, I think one needed reform is that there must be non-priests in position of authority in every seminary that can investigate allegations of sexual abuse.

that is the job, surely of law enforcement. these investigations are to be treated just like any other crime, by the law. If found there are charges to answer, then charge them.
we cannot continue to investigate in-house, we must leave that job to the proper secular authorities.

And at the same time, what Peter is suggesting is a change in culture and structure.
You can’t continue with something that is broken and expect the police to provide what the Church is wise enough and capable enough to fix.

The police are to prosecute criminals, the Church is about beatitude.

Let me add that after listening to Raymond Arroyo’s program last night, in addition to non-priest involvement in the authority structure of seminaries and dioceses, law enforcement presence is a must, in light of the criminal nature of these abuses. With full access to records.

And outside auditors. One of the guests last night made the point that money and power always attend these abuses. The money allows it to continue.

 

[PeterT]

Peter T,

Confession is not the problem. Priest in authority in the seminary will not hear the confessions of the seminarians.

Unfortunately, it has been a problem but not necessarily with the priest in authority about with other priests who might have known or suspected the sexual misconduct but couldn’t inform those who could investigate the matter because of the Seal of Confession.

There should be no downside with having devout, well-catechized and educated non-priests Catholics holding positions of authority in Catholic seminaries that could investigate such allegations of misconduct in an independent, prudent and thorough manner.

The current system of oversight is clearly not working here in the United States and elsewhere around the globe. Changes need to be made.