US Jesuits agree to school sex abuse pay-out

[bkovacs]

bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12868046

 

[mdzialo]

Wow. I didn’t know these Jesuits had $166 million dollars on hand to pay out. Let’s hope those administrators responsible for the hide and seek are held personally accountable. and removed from their positions.

 

[LtTony]

I have a whole slew of questions, on this settlement specifically and the pedophile scandal in general. Help me out.

“Morse has never been charged in any of the cases.”
oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/03/northwest_jesuit_settlement.html

Why?

"But when she spoke up to her mom and dad, Morse denied it and her parents whipped her for lying, she said. "

Why did they think their child was lying? Why didn’t they go to police?

To me, this is only one of the scandal’s 800-pound gorillas in the room. Why have not parents been held accountable in any of these crimes? I realize it was different era with different attitudes but if accountability is a priority…

"John Manly, who negotiated the settlement with Tamaki and sharply criticized the Jesuit leadership for decades of abuse by their priests.

“Who knowingly puts a child in a position where a pedophile’s going to have access to them and worse, gives the pedophile the title father?” Manly said. “It’s spiritual incest.”

I think parents must be held accountable to some degree, although certainly not to the degree of the abusers and their enablers.

Some of the priests responsible for rapes and molestations worked in Roman Catholic dioceses across the province, which covers Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Alaska. Some of the abuse occurred as far back as the 1940s.

I want to know how many priests were involved. I’d also like to know why the abuse – or at least the claims covered – stopped in 1978. To me, that is another 800-pound gorilla.

oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/03/northwest_jesuits_will_pay_166.html

blog.oregonlive.com/nwheadlines/2010/02/todays_headlines_even_in_death.html

oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/03/washington_woman_says_jesuit_p.html

 

[AugustV]

I wish I understood this sex abuse scandal and why so many priests are involved. Is there anyone who can explain what seems to be widespread pedophilia? How can so many Catholic priests abuse anyone let alone a child–how? Can the perpetrators help us to understand ths and perhaps solve it. I don’t see how we can solve this horror without more information. Are there reliable, responsible people studying what’s going on with this and why this seems to be such a problem?

These are such dark days for the Church. I look at every cleric and wonder. This is so unbelievable. Any experts out there that can shed some light on this to help us work toward a solution?

 

[CatholicBoy1957]

Is there anyone who can explain what seems to be widespread pedophilia?

Yes, I know.

At one time, not long ago, homosexuality and fornication were sins, regardless of whether it involved only adults, or adults and children. But now that we’ve gone ahead and allowed rampant immorality by removing laws regarding fornication and homosexuality, it is necessary to create a distinction between that which involves only adults, and that which involves adults and children. We see the rampant immorality, and we need to blame someone, so the child rapists take all the blame.

The red flag is when you don’t see the noteworthy Catholics like Mother Theresa or John Paul making comments about pedophiles like executing them or castrating them. These types of comments are usually made by people that have serious moral problems themselves, such as whore-mongers or Gays. Society okays it when it involves only adults. Problems with priests have always existed. Some of them sneak into the priesthood for horribly wrong reasons.

 

[Ismael]

I wish I understood this sex abuse scandal and why so many priests are involved. Is there anyone who can explain what seems to be widespread pedophilia? How can so many Catholic priests abuse anyone let alone a child–how? Can the perpetrators help us to understand ths and perhaps solve it. I don’t see how we can solve this horror without more information. Are there reliable, responsible people studying what’s going on with this and why this seems to be such a problem?

These are such dark days for the Church. I look at every cleric and wonder. This is so unbelievable. Any experts out there that can shed some light on this to help us work toward a solution?

Pedophilia and abuse of minors is a very widespread problem. Thsi problem exists not only in the Church but also in secular organizations.

Abusing priests have caused about 11-15.000 victims (some go as high as 20.000… but it might be an exageration) in the US in the last 60 years.

However there are almost 100.000 cases of sexual abuses of minors in the US EACH YEAR. This makes about 4-5 million cases in the last half a century! >99% of these are NOT perpetrated by priests… (check health organization websites or literature)

Most cases of abuse of minors occur in:

• Families by family members
• Schools (1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are being sexually abused or harrassed in schools before the age of 18)
• Other institutions (hospitals, boy/girl scouts, etc…)

These are such dark days for the Church. I look at every cleric and wonder. This is so unbelievable. Any experts out there that can shed some light on this to help us work toward a solution?

As seen above ‘pedophile priests’ are just a very small part of the problem.

You should probably worry more about the teachers in schools… or your even your uncle Joe…

---

This of course is not a downplay on the crime and responsibility of some priests and bishops. At the same time one should be aware that not all priests are pedofile (only a very small group as a matter of fact) and that sexual abuse of minors is something that happend THROUGHOUT SOCIETY and not only in the Church.

Not to mention also all the people who travel to other countries, like Thailand and Brasil for ‘sex tourism’, which very often involves children.

 

[steve711]

Personally, I am a cradle Catholic. When I was young I was an Alter boy and served at many masses for many different Priest. I believe a huge change began in the Catholic church and its seminaries during the years when young men were forced to be put in draft lotteries to serve in wars.

For instance, during the Vietnam war many young men joined the Priesthood in order not to be drafted into military service. Now do not get me wrong, a large majority joined to serve God and his church, but some did not. I also believe many of these that joined to avoid military service were gay men. As a teenage Alter boy, I new when one of these Priest was around just by his mannerisms and how different he was compared to most.

I do believe this current crop of Bishops is keenly aware of this and has tried to flush out this group of individuals and that is why we see “Zero Tolerance” being applied in the USA right now. I also understand that this is a very small part of the Priesthood as compared to the general population but they have caused terrible damage to Jesus Christ’s Church.

Go with Gods Grace!!!

 

[sidbrown]

Pedophilia and abuse of minors is a very widespread problem. Thsi problem exists not only in the Church but also in secular organizations.

Abusing priests have caused about 11-15.000 victims (some go as high as 20.000… but it might be an exageration) in the US in the last 60 years.

However there are almost 100.000 cases of sexual abuses of minors in the US EACH YEAR. This makes about 4-5 million cases in the last half a century! >99% of these are NOT perpetrated by priests… (check health organization websites or literature)

Most cases of abuse of minors occur in:

• Families by family members
• Schools (1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are being sexually abused or harrassed in schools before the age of 18)
• Other institutions (hospitals, boy/girl scouts, etc…)

As seen above ‘pedophile priests’ are just a very small part of the problem.

You should probably worry more about the teachers in schools… or your even your uncle Joe…

---

This of course is not a downplay on the crime and responsibility of some priests and bishops. At the same time one should be aware that not all priests are pedofile (only a very small group as a matter of fact) and that sexual abuse of minors is something that happend THROUGHOUT SOCIETY and not only in the Church.

Not to mention also all the people who travel to other countries, like Thailand and Brasil for ‘sex tourism’, which very often involves children.

It doesn’t work to white wash this. Priests have been taught Catholic morality and know what is expected of them. Further, a priest is “another Christ” according to Church teaching. When a priest rapes a child or a young boy, in the Church or in the Church rectory after confession, it is worse, because it involves a sacrilege.
Further child rape is a criminal offense and it is wrong to cover this up.

 

[AugustV]

Yes, I know.

At one time, not long ago, homosexuality and fornication were sins, regardless of whether it involved only adults, or adults and children. But now that we’ve gone ahead and allowed rampant immorality by removing laws regarding fornication and homosexuality, it is necessary to create a distinction between that which involves only adults, and that which involves adults and children. We see the rampant immorality, and we need to blame someone, so the child rapists take all the blame.

The red flag is when you don’t see the noteworthy Catholics like Mother Theresa or John Paul making comments about pedophiles like executing them or castrating them. These types of comments are usually made by people that have serious moral problems themselves, such as whore-mongers or Gays. Society okays it when it involves only adults. Problems with priests have always existed. Some of them sneak into the priesthood for horribly wrong reasons.

Thank you for your comment. I think sexual license is rampant. I just am at a loss to understand how a particular form of license exists among a group that one would think would have a very small number of pedophiles among their ranks.

Pedophilia and abuse of minors is a very widespread problem. Thsi problem exists not only in the Church but also in secular organizations.

Abusing priests have caused about 11-15.000 victims (some go as high as 20.000… but it might be an exageration) in the US in the last 60 years.

However there are almost 100.000 cases of sexual abuses of minors in the US EACH YEAR. This makes about 4-5 million cases in the last half a century! >99% of these are NOT perpetrated by priests… (check health organization websites or literature)

Most cases of abuse of minors occur in:

• Families by family members
• Schools (1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are being sexually abused or harrassed in schools before the age of 18)
• Other institutions (hospitals, boy/girl scouts, etc…)

As seen above ‘pedophile priests’ are just a very small part of the problem.

You should probably worry more about the teachers in schools… or your even your uncle Joe…

---

This of course is not a downplay on the crime and responsibility of some priests and bishops. At the same time one should be aware that not all priests are pedofile (only a very small group as a matter of fact) and that sexual abuse of minors is something that happend THROUGHOUT SOCIETY and not only in the Church.

Not to mention also all the people who travel to other countries, like Thailand and Brasil for ‘sex tourism’, which very often involves children.

I just met a man who goes to Thailand for “sex vacations.” Doubtless, he goes to enjoy the type of pleasures that are easily and more cheaply obtained in Thailand.

I am aware of the stats that suggest Catholic priests have a smaller number of abusers in their rank than the general populace. Great, but why isn’t it almost zero. That is what I cannot understand. Doesn’t it surprise you that this many priests are abusing children? In my diocese alone there are numerous instances.

 

[laszlo]

Listen to the dates: between 1940 and 1990. Beyond any legal statues of limitations.

No state of local law enforcing organization would accept such cases. Something is deadly wrong

 

[LtTony]

That’s what I’m asking laszlo: what exactly is wrong?

 

[LtTony]

I think sexual license is rampant. I just am at a loss to understand how a particular form of license exists among a group that one would think would have a very small number of pedophiles among their ranks.

I am aware of the stats that suggest Catholic priests have a smaller number of abusers in their rank than the general populace. Great, but why isn’t it almost zero. That is what I cannot understand. Doesn’t it surprise you that this many priests are abusing children? In my diocese alone there are numerous instances.

Exactly what I am thinking, August. Thank you for articulating it better than I.

Pedophilia and abuse of minors is a very widespread problem. Thsi problem exists not only in the Church but also in secular organizations.

I’m well aware of that information, but it avoids issues specific to the church.
I’m more in line with August, or sidbrown here:

It doesn’t work to white wash this. Priests have been taught Catholic morality and know what is expected of them. Further, a priest is “another Christ” according to Church teaching. When a priest rapes a child or a young boy, in the Church or in the Church rectory after confession, it is worse, because it involves a sacrilege.
Further child rape is a criminal offense and it is wrong to cover this up.

Again, couldn’t have said it better myself.

I refer once more to the questions I need help with:

1. The lack of criminal charges. And I mean charges back then, not now (when the statute of limitations applies).
2. In reference to the linked story, why did the parents beat the child for lying rather than let police figure out who was lying? Why didn’t they go to police?

“To me, this is only one of the scandal’s 800-pound gorillas in the room. Why have not parents been held accountable in any of these crimes? I realize it was different era with different attitudes but if accountability is a priority…”

1. I want to know how many Jesuit priests were involved in this latest settlement. I’d also like to know why the abuse – or at least the claims covered – stopped in 1978. To me, that is another 800-pound gorilla.

Steve, I think, got the idea on some sort of explanation when he posted:

Personally, I am a cradle Catholic. When I was young I was an Alter boy and served at many masses for many different Priest. I believe a huge change began in the Catholic church and its seminaries during the years when young men were forced to be put in draft lotteries to serve in wars.

For instance, during the Vietnam war many young men joined the Priesthood in order not to be drafted into military service. Now do not get me wrong, a large majority joined to serve God and his church, but some did not. I also believe many of these that joined to avoid military service were gay men. As a teenage Alter boy, I new when one of these Priest was around just by his mannerisms and how different he was compared to most.

Reasonable speculation, but have to read any evidence anywhere that agrees with your personal observation?

 

[1voice]

Thank you for your comment. I think sexual license is rampant. I just am at a loss to understand how a particular form of license exists among a group that one would think would have a very small number of pedophiles among their ranks.

I just met a man who goes to Thailand for “sex vacations.” Doubtless, he goes to enjoy the type of pleasures that are easily and more cheaply obtained in Thailand.

I am aware of the stats that suggest Catholic priests have a smaller number of abusers in their rank than the general populace. Great, but why isn’t it almost zero. That is what I cannot understand. Doesn’t it surprise you that this many priests are abusing children? In my diocese alone there are numerous instances.

What I want to ask is how it was that the hierarchy, who knew what was going on,… and that should have been well aware of the severity of the crime and how devastating it is to peoples lives … did nothing of any consequence except to protect the perps … for more than half a century.
The problem, as I see it, is that Church leadership refused to stop it in its tracks when they had the power to do it from the first day … half a century ago.

 

[LtTony]

That is a good question, 1voice. It is about the only one I think I have at least a partial handle on.

The reasons varied, ranging from totally innocent to totally guilty. And may have transitioned from one category to another.

Some within the church were honestly not aware.
Some had heard, but couldn’t believe it. I think many of us were in this same (naive)boat; I know I was initially. JP2, as I understand, thought the rumors/accusations were organized smear campaigns, similar to the ones he’s seen the Nazis and communists use to attack and discredit opponents.
Some in the church hierachy knew/heard about it, but thought the church couldn’t survive such a scandal. Their faith was weak. They bear some responsibility, however.
Some knew the facts but wanted to protect friends and/or avoid harm to their own careers. These people are nearlt as guilty as the perps, imo.
Lastly, some were perps themselves and wanted to protect their little pervert buddies. The worst of the lot, obviously.
God have mercy of them.

I could be totally wrong on this, of course.