The recent election of the Pope has brought the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse scandal back into popular attention. As more victims come forward, the extent of this cover up can be better appreciated. Pedophilia is common across religions and cultures, but why is it so prominent in churches, the one place assumed to be safe?
Churches are usually “closed systems”; places where outside examination is discouraged. There is a hierarchical structure with blind allegiance and some form of psychological submission. Expulsion is risk for resistance. Churches also view pedophilia as a “sin” and not a disorder or a crime. Confession and forgiveness makes it go away. (This never works!). The clergy has always been a haven for persons with psychosexual disorders looking for spiritual healing or simple avoid their own issues. I’ve seen clergy from EVERY denomination and faith over the last three decades with this story. The secrecy fosters denial and actually encourages acting out.
Part of the answer is simple: never allow anyone to have private access to your children unless you know them quite well. Question blind submission to authority, especially if it means turning over your kids to others. And, societally, we must see these first as punishable crimes, and possibly treatable illnesses, and not moral failings. One thing is clear, these folks cannot police themselves!