If we accord the Church the minimal standards of due process, then we do not know how widespread the abuse problem is. Not yet. We do not know what proportion of the allegations against priests will turn out to be proven.
You are correct in what you state; however, I think that we already have enough information to form a working conclusion of "riddled with corruption" and "wholesale child abuse." Child molestation is a particularly heinous action. We've talked about it a lot hereabouts and everyone thinks so. It's right up there with genocide and crashing planes into skyscrapers in terms of evil.
I was aware of this problem in the Church when I was a teenager through whispers around the church. It has been in the news off and on for a good forty years. I'm usually the one giving people the benefit of the doubt, but even I can't imagine that more than a handful of officials in the Church hierarchy were not aware of it, given that I was aware of it. I don't think it's necessary to wait until all the noses are counted. The numbers and patterns are clearly going to end up more than merely anomalous and into the range of systemic problem, although how far into that range, we do not yet know. I do not have a problem with labeling 1) a systemic problem of any magnitude 2)that is this hideous and 3)has been covered up this long as corruption, pending complete data. I say that as someone who used to earn a living doing organizational studies, investigations, and audits. I can understand that reasonable people might disagree with my conclusions, and I understand that you do, but I don't think they are outside the boundaries of what would be called thoughtful discussion, which is what is at issue.
The issue of the priesthood becoming a homosexual haven needs much critical examination, beginning with whether it is true.
I agree that it remains to be seen whether this problem stems more from homosexuality or pedophilia. We may never find out the answer to that.
I think (?) it was you who made an earlier assertion that celibacy ensures repression
Twasn't I. I said that horny men who are unwillingly celibate are repressed. I'm sure that many people are quite content with celibacy and I consider it to be a reasonable and healthy lifestyle choice.
As for the boundaries of what is thoughtful discussion, I would say that there are several things that have been posted in the last day that are outside the perimeter. Inferring that gays make up the nucleus of pedophiles despite data to the contrary and despite the intuitively obvious numerical impossibility of it is not thoughtful. Making an inference that anyone who tries to correct that ignorance is a flag carrier for the gay agenda is not thoughtful. Making a mental leap from pedophile to John Wayne Gacy is not thoughtful. Insisting that one's kids are at risk from the gay couple down the block but not from Uncle Harry is also outside the boundary. IMO, of course.
Karen |
