Much as I often detest some of the things religions do, I don't think they can be blamed for child molestation. It happens a lot all over the place, not just in churches.
Of course the RC celibacy rules are idiotic and just invite that sort of thing (people who are gay and under pressure to marry use joining the priesthood as an escape). Some of them, although a minority, will be pedophiles.
Part of the RC church's problem with such priests is the church's compassion, their hope that the person can be reformed, and hence their unwillingness to take the matter to the authorities. This comes, I think, as a left-over from the days when the clergy were pretty much exempt from civil law. It has been an expensive lesson but one which I think the church has now learned.
Of course the RC celibacy rules are idiotic and just invite that sort of thing (people who are gay and under pressure to marry use joining the priesthood as an escape). Some of them, although a minority, will be pedophiles.
Part of the RC church's problem with such priests is the church's compassion, their hope that the person can be reformed, and hence their unwillingness to take the matter to the authorities. This comes, I think, as a left-over from the days when the clergy were pretty much exempt from civil law. It has been an expensive lesson but one which I think the church has now learned.
No comments:
Post a Comment