From: John Clark (jonkc@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Sat Mar 09 2002 - 23:07:22 MST
I wouldn't have said it a year ago but a strong case could be made that a
substantial minority and perhaps even a majority of roman Catholic priests
are pedophiles. According to an investigation by the Boston Globe the Roman
Catholic archdiocese of Boston has quietly settled child sex abuse claims
against at least 70 priests in the last 10 years. The number 70 is conservative as
some court records are still sealed, some put the number at 107. The entire
Boston Archdiocese has about 650 priests, so between 11 and 16% have been
caught having sex with children. Most child abusers are not caught so one can
only wonder what the true numbers are.
It's not just limited to Boston or to lower level clergy. About 25 years ago a 13 year
old seminary student was sexually molested by two priests who were his teachers.
The traumatized boy went to the head of the seminary Anthony J. O'Connell
for counseling but instead Father O'Connell molested him too. When the boy
grew up he sued the church. At the trial Father O'Connell admitted his guilt but
the church offered the victim $125,000 if he would keep quiet and allow the
court records to be sealed. 3 years after (AFTER!) he admitted he was a
pedophile he was promoted and made Bishop of Palm Beach Florida, a dream job.
They had an opening there because the previous Bishop, Joseph Keith Symons,
had to resign after he admitted he had sexually molested five little boys.
The entire sordid story came to light a few day ago when the victim went public.
I just saw Bishop O'Connell say on TV that was not the only time he had sex with
a child.
The sad thing is that this will probably have little effect on the average Catholic,
they will still go to church on Sunday and sit in respectful silence as a closet
pedophile lectures them about morality and put money in the collection plate
to pay for more hush money. It's enough to make one despair and question
the sanity of the human race.
John K Clark jonkc@att.net
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