Sex abuse in church

[pomtzu]

Being the civilized people that we are, I think that most people would find physical castration to be barbaric. I know that I would! Chemical castration however, is something to be considered. It is already in practice in some instances, but who has the power to decide: who-what-where-when and why. I don't see it becoming a routine practice to be used on sexual offenders - real or potential - any time soon - if ever.

[wombat2u2004]

No, you can't neuter people because of the situation they are in.
Not unless they consent to it.
Where would you draw the line ????
The answers to the whole problem are simple..........
1. Allow priests and nuns to marry.
2. If individuals of a particular church are beyond the reach of the Common Law, then change that to ensure those who default are subjected to the same laws as everyone else in the community.
3. Increase the penalties for those who are found guilty of such crimes.
4. Ensure that the church pays adequate compensation to the victims.
(If the Catholic church has to pay out big bucks for every compensation case, then they will soon change their minds about protecting their own.)

Easy peasy !!!!

[wombat2u2004]

Being the civilized people that we are, I think that most people would find physical castration to be barbaric. I know that I would! Chemical castration however, is something to be considered. It is already in practice in some instances, but who has the power to decide: who-what-where-when and why. I don't see it becoming a routine practice to be used on sexual offenders - real or potential - any time soon - if ever.

But what do we do with women who are guilty of the same abuse ????

[pomtzu]

But what do we do with women who are guilty of the same abuse ????

They can be altered chemically also........
It's pretty easy to throw a woman's hormones out of whack. Just ask any one of us who has experienced it naturally.

[pomtzu]

No, you can't neuter people because of the situation they are in.
Not unless they consent to it.
Where would you draw the line ????
The answers to the whole problem are simple..........
1. Allow priests and nuns to marry.

I think that you and I are the only ones here that see this as a very real and simple solution to eliminate a great deal of the problem in the Church.

[wombat2u2004]

They can be altered chemically also........
It's pretty easy to throw a woman's hormones out of whack. Just ask any one of us who has experienced it naturally.

Is that true ????
My wife told me that once.
I think she was just trying to fool me

[Asiel]

No, you can't neuter people because of the situation they are in.
Not unless they consent to it.
Where would you draw the line ????
The answers to the whole problem are simple..........
1. Allow priests and nuns to marry.
2. If individuals of a particular church are beyond the reach of the Common Law, then change that to ensure those who default are subjected to the same laws as everyone else in the community.
3. Increase the penalties for those who are found guilty of such crimes.
4. Ensure that the church pays adequate compensation to the victims.
(If the Catholic church has to pay out big bucks for every compensation case, then they will soon change their minds about protecting their own.)

Easy peasy !!!!

The only thing I can agree with here is No.1.

As for applying No.2 you can change the laws all you want and make them subject to the same laws as the community but it wouldn't change a thing because the churches would still protect them and the families of the abused would end up the victims again and again. I've been a witness to a few families who tried to seek justice and the threats they received from their church were unbelievable. And did you ever see an abused child decide to finally confide in his parents but cry and scream not to say anything because he was threatend to be cut up with a knife if he told?

No.3 doesn't apply because there are no penalties. the only penalty a guilty priest has ever received was to be changed from that parish to another where he continued his vile practices. and on and on.

No.4 might apply to a few priests but the ones who get off scott free outnumber the ones that are nailed and the little compensation the family receives is laughable considering those boys are scarred for life

In the area we live in there are numerous Catholic churches that have been sold because of lack of attendance, you can't keep a church open with no people supporting it.
We used to be faithful churchgoers until the lid blew off the whole thing. So they not only harm children but they destroy a lot of peoples' faith. Most of our relatives and friends don't attend church anymore.

Really don't know what the answer is but maybe letting nuns and priests marry would be the first step to take.

[wombat2u2004]

The only thing I can agree with here is No.1.

As for applying No.2 you can change the laws all you want and make them subject to the same laws as the community but it wouldn't change a thing because the churches would still protect them and the families of the abused would end up the victims again and again. I've been a witness to a few families who tried to seek justice and the threats they received from their church were unbelievable. And did you ever see an abused child decide to finally confide in his parents but cry and scream not to say anything because he was threatend to be cut up with a knife if he told?

No.3 doesn't apply because there are no penalties. the only penalty a guilty priest has ever received was to be changed from that parish to another where he continued his vile practices. and on and on.

No.4 might apply to a few priests but the ones who get off scott free outnumber the ones that are nailed and the little compensation the family receives is laughable considering those boys are scarred for life

In the area we live in there are numerous Catholic churches that have been sold because of lack of attendance, you can't keep a church open with no people supporting it.
We used to be faithful churchgoers until the lid blew off the whole thing. So they not only harm children but they destroy a lot of peoples' faith. Most of our relatives and friends don't attend church anymore.

Really don't know what the answer is but maybe letting nuns and priests marry would be the first step to take.

2 is quite possible,
3 and 4 would follow on.

[Cataholic]

I am a strong believer that the lack of marriage plays a huge part in the molestation/rape issues. How many priests have been caught for paying hookers? I've heard of several, how many aren't caught? ALL mammals have a huge drive for sexual relations, esp males. Its all related to hormones.

Human males are no different. After a while their sexual frustrations are going to cause them to snap & do crazy things.. which in our society is illegal.

I believe that research has shown, time and again, that rape is NOT a sexual issue.

Molestation is not a sexual issue...it is a deviant mindset.

Being gay does not make someone a pedophile. There is simply no relation to one's sexual preference and molestation. Gays like men or women....pedophiles like CHILDREN.

Allowing or disallowing priests to marry doesn't alter the deviant mindset of molestation. Molestation is NOT caused by some pent up sexual frustration.

Wacked is wacked...whether you are married or not.

[Cataholic]

2. If individuals of a particular church are beyond the reach of the Common Law, then change that to ensure those who default are subjected to the same laws as everyone else in the community.

Here, in the US, priests are NOT beyond the reach of the common (or statutory) law. I think most abuse statutes are now codified, rather than simply a result of the common law.

[Miss Z]

As always, a most excellent post, Johanna.

Castration is drastic but I could certainly see the minute chance of eunuchs returning to the church before priests and nuns were allowed to marry, certainly those in the higher ranking positions of authority. I highly doubt the Vatican would be swayed on that one. I believe they take this belief from a rather literal interpretation from the book of Matthew, although being atheist, I do not know it to quote it.

But, as to whatever solves the issue addressed in the OP, the floor remains open. I think the only thing that can be agreed on thus far is a more rapid and fitting course of action for those caught.

[king2005]

I believe that research has shown, time and again, that rape is NOT a sexual issue.

Molestation is not a sexual issue...it is a deviant mindset.

Being gay does not make someone a pedophile. There is simply no relation to one's sexual preference and molestation. Gays like men or women....pedophiles like CHILDREN.

Allowing or disallowing priests to marry doesn't alter the deviant mindset of molestation. Molestation is NOT caused by some pent up sexual frustration.

Wacked is wacked...whether you are married or not.

Mindset or Chemical imbalance?
Its amazing the things humans will do when their brain isn't working right. I'm NOT using any of this as an excuse for their behaviour, I'm putting a lot of the blame on how these people have to live their lives, which isn't biologically or psychologically right/normal.

[Catty1]

Abusers have often been abused themselves.

If a number of these priests came up through the ranks after being members of a Catholic congregation with a pedophile priest, they will abuse also.

I would hope the Catholic Church would put in place an "amnesty" for abusive priests to come forward and be defrocked with some dignity (which they only deserve if they confess up front rather than being caught), and to get those children (mostly boys) into counselling immediately. I haven't read about any pro-active measures, but I hope some are soon in place.

[RICHARD]

I was an altar boy and never saw any abuse IN the church.

From what I undertstand, it usually happened in the RECTORY.

[JenBKR]

I was an altar boy and never saw any abuse IN the church.

From what I undertstand, it usually happened in the RECTORY.

RICHARD!


I'm not Catholic, and I don't really understand why priests can't marry, although I am not sure if letting them marry would make a difference. Pedophiles are everywhere, I'm sorry to say. They are attracted to children, they understand that society thinks it's wrong but they don't; they actually see it as 'loving' children. Ever hear of NAMBLA? Google it sometime, if you can stomach it. This is a serious problem all over the world.