Over the past several years, I have read so much about the
horror of sex abuse by Catholic clergy.
One would think that there is not much more to learn. But, …..
The recent documentary by Frontline on the Vatican [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secrets-of-the-vatican/]
was devastating. I had read about some problems with the clergy, including
bishops, in Rome, but what was reported blew me away. The pervasiveness of the sexual involvement, in this case
not so much with minors, as with other homosexuals extended so pervasively that
one would wonder whether anyone remained celibate! The warning at the beginning
of the PBS production alerted the audience that the presentation would contain
information that may not be suitable to all ages. That warning was clearly
warranted!
Michael D’Antonio wrote a devastating book on clergy sex
abuse, “Mortal Sins”, that captured in detail the problems related to obstacles
used by the hierarchy to withhold documents and related information. In fact,
the outright lies by many members of the hierarchy were an affront to any
decency warranted by the devastating impact on so many victims. A unique aspect
to this presentation was his focus on the actual issues facing the attorneys
representing the victims. Initially, (early 1980’s), there was no precedent
involving suits against the Catholic Church. Attorneys had to learn the
peculiarities of an organization that was regulated by its own set of (canon)
laws and the layers of governance from dioceses to the Vatican bureaucracy,
itself encased in further obfuscation. The four persons central to the author’s presentation were
eventually overwhelmed by the problems they faced, resulting in this misuse of
alcohol that necessitated life-long involvement with AA.
Without repeating anything I previously wrote, I want to
share another aspect. I have often referenced my naiveness during my seminary
education (eight years) and, in general, during the years as a priest. From my
experience, I never saw or heard of a fellow seminarian or priest being
involved in sexual abuse as a perpetrator or as a victim. After finding out the
pervasiveness of the problem, I was amazed that I was not a victim. If a priest
who wanted to take advantage of me approached me, as a young boy in a
problematic family, I would not have been able to defend myself. I, like so
many other victims, would have been easily manipulated by a priest’s assurance
that this behavior was not permissible, but “good”. Even in the seminary, where
some faculty members apparently took advantage of their students, no one
approached me. Given my general naiveness, I am not sure that I would have been
able to defend myself.
Looking back, I am most grateful for never becoming a
victim, but realize that it was virtually a “miracle”. I clearly represented
the ideal victim, a naïve youth who idolized priests!
The devastation of the lives of the young people victimized
is beyond comprehension. The stupidity of the Catholic hierarchy in thinking
that they could weather the storm by raising endless obstacles is only exceeded
by the crassness of their behavior.
