A Catholics Thoughts On Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse and the LA ArchDiocese Settlement- Part II

THis is part II of this post. Part I of my thoughts is located here.

What all Catholics and Christians should Do Now-

First we should pray the victims and pray for their healing. We should also support those that are involved in these ministries. We should also pray the offenders. That is unpopular to state I know. But it seems according to our Christian theology , whether Catholic or not, that is called for and demanded. As I mentioned, often yesterday's victims of sexual abuse sometimes become tomorrow offenders. If you don't wish to reach out to the victims then don't crucify them later if they become part of that percentage that offends. Further, we must continue to work for sensible reforms to make sure this doesn't happen again. I will go into what sensible is in a moment.

The LA Settlement-
The settlement of the cases for the ArchDiocese of LA has been expected. It is needed to provide closure. However, make no doubt that there are serious concerns about this agreement.

First the 600 million settlement is outrageous in many ways. I have been following these cases for years as both a Catholic and because of professional interest. People in the legal field are very concerned about the precedents being set here. Those include getting rid of the statute of limitations on these cases. Here I am talking about cases that specifically target the Catholic Church. Many people go so what!!!! Again ,that is because they are assuming guilt. Let us say you are a youth minister for Our Lady of Fatima or First Baptist of Slidell. Twenty years later you get sued over some wild accusation of sexual abuse. Where are your witnesses? DO you have a memory of the then "kid"? Can you mount a defense? Who will pay for it? Don't think that this disturbing trend will stop as to Churches either. There will be an accusation and people will assume guilt. That is life. My Uncle decided on not going into the Catholic Deacon Program because honestly he thought the Church would not stand by him if something like this happen.I have further concerns about these records being released where accusations are recorded. This has some troubling aspects to it as

As to settlements there has to be some equity. We should not be paying the same amount(if any in some cases) to a 17 year gay boy that knew darn well what he was doing as we pay to a innocent 13 or 14 year kid. Sorry not buying it. This is the same logic that says a 17 year old Senior at Catholic High ahould be prosecuted as a Sex offender for having sex with a 15 year Freshman. I am not buying that in all cases either.

What is Sensible Reform?

Responsibility and proper screening is a start. In fact we have already started that. However, there must be a due process and the Church must support those that it believes are falsely accused. The sad fact is that priests and others are terrified that their Bishops will not do that. Yuo say not your problem? Well, I would not be volunteering for Youth Ministry on any full time basis if I did not have this understanding. Priest and Religious now and the lay folks are next.

Support Your Priests and Religious-
This week will not be pleasant for them. Pray for them and do something extra this week for them. They sacrifice so much and the sins of the few of their special Fraternity hurt them deeply

Catholic Apologetics on this issue-
First don't try to pretend the bad didn't happen. Take steps to know your Diocesean programs as to protection of children and educate yourself on this if asked. This is available on all Diocesean web Sites. A

Second, and this is tricky and a touchy subject. One must admit the sins of our members, but one does not need to be a chump. I have touched on how prevelant this problem is in protestant circles. IF approached by a rabid anti Catholic, a true questioning non Catholic , or confused Catholic on this issue first say a silent prayer. Then educate them as to where we are at today. It is important to show them that this is just as a big of a problem in non Catholic Churches. I have already engaged today in a silly discussion that priestly celibacy causes sexual abuse of children. All one has to do is think about that and realize how ignorant that argument is in all its facets. If a Priest wants to break his vows and have sex ,he will not have to go to a kid for it. Especially in this age of the internet where one can find anybody or anything. Pedophiles often go into helping professions. Many pedophiles go into the imnistry because they think they can be "cured" or helped by doing so. Rarely is there a "plan" to go into the ministry to abuse children.

I encourage all people to read this mind article that Catholics are wondering why it is not getting more air play.


Insurance Companies Shed Light on Extent of Sex Abuse in Protestant Churches
LINK

Also for our area please check this site out
StopBaptistPredators.org
Shining light on Baptist clergy sex abuse
LINK
The Baptist site is exposing what some of us have have known for a while. As you can see in the WEB site even the Southern Baptist COnvention is being put under the microscope. I am not picking on another faith. I am not trying to justify our failures. THis problem is everywhere and must be dealt with.

DO this all in charity. In the end the people were wounded beyond belief. THe Body of Christ was wounded. As the priest said the in the above article
"This bad news for Protestant Churches is sad news for all of us," Father Morris wrote. "I would prefer the problem be limited to any one church--even if that church were my own--because it would mean more kids would be safe. But as I have said repeatedly over the last few years, the problem of sexual abuse of minors is not an issue of religious affiliation because there is nothing religious about abusing children. The phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors in church settings is the story of sick human beings taking advantage of their position of moral authority to prey on the weak and vulnerable. If Catholic clergy were to be faithful to their church's teaching, there would be no abuse in the Catholic Church. The same goes for Protestant clergy. The problem, then, is not one of corrupt doctrine, but of individuals being unfaithful to the most basic precepts of their own religious belief."

There is a lot I have not touched on in these two post. I have other thoughts but the posts are big enough already. I expect I will talk about this issue again because of the media field day. However, it is important to remember this. THe worst is over. THe Church has been purged and despite the devil's best she is still offering salvation. We are a stronger Church for it and it appears we have rounded a corner.

As I stated, the mystery of this "unholy holiness" as Pope Benedict called it to members of the Body of Christ is something to contemplate. It is a mystery we shall have to endure till the end of the World ,because God for some reason just seems determine to use us as his instrument to reconcile the World to him. I suppose it would have been easier if Christ had sent the heavenly angels to Minsiter and proclaim , but GOd had other ideas