Catholic Abuse: Worldwide and Systemic

Let’s face it: there are only two options here: Either the repeated pattern of abuse and cover-up around the world constitutes a giant set of uncanny coincidences, or there is a single source of power directly responsible for the global pattern. The answer is obvious and that is why there are lawsuits currently pending against the Holy See in the United States. History will judge all of us if we do not bring this institution to account for the suffering of children. The Church officials’ current behavior makes the selling of indulgences in the fifteenth century almost look quaint.

These are the words of Marci Hamilton, a FindLaw columnist, as well as the Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children(Cambridge 2008).   This Article puts the problem in sharp relief.  We can no longer deny that there is a worldwide and systemic problem with priests abusing children, and an even more sinister and inhumane underground railroad designed to protect both the abusers and the Church itself.

Why is it that otherwise well educated people continue to endorse a belief system in which enormous power is given to men who have decided to voluntarily take a vow of lifelong celibacy?  I don’t mean this to sound like a flippant or comic remark.  It is very, very unnatural for men to want lifelong celibacy.  It literally goes against everything we know about normal human psychology.  Shouldn’t this be a big alarm bell?

To be sure, there are people in the world who are essentially asexual.  It’s a well-documented condition.  But it’s extremely rare.   Are we really going to suggest that virtually all priests are asexual?  Really?  Or, can we go ahead and admit the obvious:  Catholic dogma drives unhealthy sexual deviants into the priesthood.  Unfortunately, it also drives otherwise normal homosexual men there as well.   The Church preaches that homosexuality is a horrible sin, and that a man can be “cured” by profound and sincere devotion to Christ.  Should we be even slightly surprised when devout homosexual men flock to the priesthood?  Furthermore, with the Church’s fetishest obsession with sexual behavior — and denouncement of pretty much anything but straight, married, missionary sex, should we be surprised when all manner of true sexual deviants join the priesthood?  Surely some are trying to find a cure in Jesus, but was there ever a more ready made profession for predators?

It’s not just for the true believers, either.  Homosexual men have the perfect excuse for not pursuing women by becoming priests.  In many parts of the world, there is extreme social pressure to remain part of the church, and we cannot even suggest that there aren’t men who flee to the priesthood out of pragmatism.  But how much better is it to live in secret sexual frustration or covert homosexuality?  Is that healthy?  Of course not!

And here’s the thing.  Homosexuality is not a sin.  It is a normal part of nature, and there’s no reason to repress it, suppress it, or remain celibate.  In fact, doing so is monstrously unhealthy.  Ask any competent therapist.  While we’re asking a therapist, let’s float this question.  Is it better to give a pedophile psychiatric help or power over young boys?

There is no good reason for non-believers to do anything other than demand complete transparency and disclosure from the Church.  Religious tolerance should not extend to allowing institutionalized sexual dysfunction.

What else is there to say?  There’s a gigantic elephant in the room, and it likes putting its penis in boys.  The Church’s unscientific views of sexuality are causing great harm to normal homosexuals as well as sexual deviants, and children are suffering as a result.  The fact that normal gays and pedophiles are unnaturally yoked together in the priesthood ought to be alarming to anyone.  Is it any wonder that there are still so many people who link the two?  Who believe that homosexuals are somehow several steps closer to deviants than “normal” heterosexuals?

This has to stop.  It’s a crime against humanity on just about every conceivable level.

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