Comments on: Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church: It’s NOT the Celibacy

By: Vera Keil

Vera Keil — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:37:38 +0000

So, let those who dare, say it out loud: Sexual abuse by priests is not due to celibacy, it is not due to a secularization of society – as Pope Pope Benedict XVI said in his scathing letter to the Church in Ireland last week (see #4 here) – it is not due to poor seminary formation, it is not due to a rise in child pornography and the sexualization of children (where are their parents???!!!). The sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church is primarily due to an institution built as a monarchy, full of male-only power and privilege, that marginalizes those who challenge it and is steeped in a culture of what one priest calls, “I don’t call you on your sins and you don’t call me on mine.” Yes, exactly! Religious pathology is often linked to sexual pathology--look at Philip Garrido and the abusers of Elizabeth Smart. Sociopathy is often attracted to cults and religions because within those hierarchical, 'sick' systems, the sociopath can prey at will.

By: owlafaye

owlafaye — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:48:27 +0000

In 300 years the Roman Catholic Church will refer to these times as one in which the church was falsely and malignantly attacked by atheists, non-believers, government and Satanic enemies of Christianity.
“Against a massive effort to discredit the piety and chasteness of the clergy with accusations of heinous crimes, the church and her followers fought a protracted battle against this evil… eventually triumphing in the name of Jesus and to the greater glory of the mother church.”

I assure you that this will come to pass…this has always been the strategy of the criminal enterprise called Catholicism.
May the light of knowledge shine on your path,
May your path lead to truth,
and the LIE die.

By: tiponeill

tiponeill — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:01:51 +0000

You are right – celibates have an admirable divorce rate

By: mike_brewer

mike_brewer — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:29:24 +0000

Rene, the research also shows that there is no known cure for pedophilia.

By: mike_brewer

mike_brewer — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:27:49 +0000

They do have, however, a notably high divorce rate. And an early retirement problem.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:29:17 +0000

Renee, this is an amazingly well-written, well-argued post. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. There aren’t enough fellow Catholics (that I know of, anyway) weighing in on this. Most Catholics I know seem to choose to avoid this topic altogether. I’ve been in faith crisis mode for a couple years now and can see that checking out your blog may help me organize my thoughts.

By: Randy L

Randy L — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:51:59 +0000

Anyone wishing to become a priest in this church should be required to be castrated, physically or chemically.

By: tiponeill

tiponeill — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:49:07 +0000

Today's NY Times has a good investigative article about the Pope covering up for a priest who molested 200 deaf boys in his care. One document.

By: ErinJ

ErinJ — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:38:03 +0000

I wonder if maybe tip is on to something? Lets just say for the sake of argument someone is attracted to children and they know it. Now, this would not be a good situation to be in, and said person may conciously or unconciously choosing a career demanding celibicacy hoping to mitigate a behaviour that society finds absolutely abhorrent.

By: David Jacobs from Oregon

David Jacobs from Oregon — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 01:13:59 +0000

Very well said Renee!! Frustration with the Church is rampant.