Clerical Sex Abuse

Richard Sipe is probably the most recognized academic who has studied clerical sex abuse. In the past, I wrote to him about my ideas why so many were involved in sex abuse around the time I was ordained a priest (1963). It was striking to me that there seemed to be a spike, a big increase, in the frequency of clerical sex abuse between 1960 and 1975.

As I shared with Dr. Sipe, I thought that there were several factors that I could personally identify from my background.

First, we were educated in total isolation and our education was itself skewed. We were literally in a prison-like system where we encountered no "real" people who would possible be critical of what we thought. And, our education was not broad-based, but narrowly tailored to ensure that we only focused on "approved" theory and practice.

Second, our education did not include any focus on sex or counseling regarding our personal approach towards sex. It was somewhat assumed that our presence in the seminary and our career choice were sufficient to ensure compliance with celibacy.

Third, for us who entered the seminary in the 50's or early 60's, our experience was within a very traditional society. The cultural mores were supportive of a more conservative approach to sex. In general, sex outside outside marriage was not routine. Would it be fair to say that it was unusual? At any rate, from my experience, the choice of celibacy within the Catholic society was generally supported and the mores within the Catholic community help support priests in their chosen vocation. When I was ordained in 1963, everything was consistent with the experience of new priests for decades, if not centuries (since the Trent Reformation in the 16th Century).

What happened in the 60's was revolutionary for so many reasons.

There was the Vatican Council that disabused Catholics, including clergy, of ideas long held. I know, from my experience, that priests ordained even a year ahead of me were totally opposed to the views many of us held, based on the Vatican Council. For priests ordained earlier, e.g., priests that I lived with in the two parishes were I worked, it was total warfare. They not only disagreed with me privately. Some used their turns in the pulpit to disagree with what I said. I was reassigned in order to be "straightened out", only to find that the hostility was more evident. Obviously, it was clear that I would not survive.

Another reason that it is important for understanding the increase in clerical sex abuse is the multi-focus revolution within society. There was a revolution flowing from the injustices associated with racial discrimination. There was an increased stress on the value of each person, based on their personhood. We were all equal. The focus on equality may have resulted from the discrimination of black people, but for many of us, it became evident that the Catholic Church practiced forms of discrimination, i.e., priests were essentially superior to lay people. One may think that this is a small element, but priests historically were psychologically supported by the "perks" associated with the perceived status lay people assigned them. When priests started to realize that they were really no different than others, in spite of being ordained, then it was less clear why they should have live so differently, e.g., celibacy.

Authority, in general, was questioned. Most strikingly were the Vietnam protests which were based on perceived erroneous uses of power by governmental authorities. But, it transferred quickly to the Church, when those who were relatively new to the priesthood, observed that those in power, e.g., older priests and hierarchy, were totally in world that was out of sync with modern theology and cultural values.

And finally, there was the sexual revolution. Every known moral code that sanctioned traditional sexual practice was being questioned, both in literature and films, as well as practice. Parishioners were living according to a different set of codes. Sexual practice was no longer "special" as much as "normal". Priests were not ready to accommodate these changes.

Since there was no "continuing education" requirements within the clergy, there was no method for updating clerical education, assuming that there was a perceived need to update the education. In fact, even to this day, the stated positions of the Catholic Church are totally at variance with standardized sexual practice among people, whether Catholics or not!

The report by John Jay College of Criminal Justice which was commissioned to study the situation seems to validate many of my ideas.

When thinking about this horrendous history, I can only rejoice that I escaped without too many scars. I know that I was damaged in some ways, but surely not enough to cry about. I was able to live a fulfilling life with a great family and enjoy the rewards of parenthood and work that are blessings that I will forever be thankful for.