I read a very sad story from the New York Times about the cancer-stricken illegitimate child of a Franciscan priest and a married woman. Not so much sad in the way the reporter wants me to feel sad, but as a Catholic, this entire story is disheartening to me, starting with why I’m reading this in the NYT and not, say, Star Magazine.
Here are my questions:
- Where is the woman’s responsibility in this relationship? She was married and carried on this affair for five years. She took money from her husband to raise the illegitimate child. She went on to marry and divorce two more times. Why is there no questioning of her own culpability? Why is she painted in hues of injustice?
- Why are the Franciscans responsible for paying for this child after all these years? other companies aren’t responsible for the philandering ways of their executives. I guess it is a form of, I dunno…harassment?
- If the priest suggested an abortion to the mother on at least one occasion, continued having sexual relations with her and was known to be doing so, why didn’t his bishop remove him?
- Why is this priest still in pastoral duties?
- Why don’t we ever read national stories of local peccadilloes by Protestant ministers?
- In fact, why is this national news at all? is it a slow day at the old Grey Lady?
I recommend an excellent book, for those of you Catholics who feel slightly embarrassed (or wholly mortified) by the priest abuse scandal, and those Protestants among us who secretly gloat (admit it) whenever a sexual incident among Catholic clergy is reported: Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis by Philip Jenkins
We have often heard the phrase “pedophile priest” in recent years. Such individuals can exist: Father Geoghan was one, as was the notorious Father James Porter a decade or so back. But as a description of a social problem, the term is wildly misleading. Crucially, Catholic priests and other clergy have nothing like a monopoly on sexual misconduct with minors.
My research of cases over the past 20 years indicates no evidence whatever that Catholic or other celibate clergy are any more likely to be involved in misconduct or abuse than clergy of any other denomination – or indeed, than non-clergy. However determined news media may be to see this affair as a crisis of celibacy, the charge is just unsupported.
Literally every denomination and faith tradition has its share of abuse cases, and some of the worst involve non-Catholics. Every mainline Protestant denomination has had scandals aplenty, as have Pentecostals, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Buddhists, Hare Krishnas – and the list goes on. One Canadian Anglican (Episcopal) diocese is currently on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of massive lawsuits caused by decades of systematic abuse, yet the Anglican Church does not demand celibacy of its clergy.
However much this statement contradicts conventional wisdom, the “pedophile priest” is not a Catholic specialty. Yet when did we ever hear about “pedophile pastors”?
Yes, when do we hear that reported…or see it on the front page of largest paper in America?
A Mother, a Sick Son and His Father, the Priest
Hey Luce,
Good post and you give very good questions. As a victim of “child molestation” my worry with just focusing on the Priest has given way to ignoring that it is in our neighborhoods, grocery stores, “ALL CHURCHES” schools, and anywhere else one is living. It seems the general population is forgetting it is a “NATION WIDE” problem and not just a problem in the Catholic Church. (I live in the United States)
As far as the “woman” in the affair she is as much to blame as the Priest is. The Bishop………please Luce, I have had to deal with Bishops on some Priest and that is like to “talking to air” sometimes. I battled a Bishop and a Priest for almost a year and so have many others in my Church to no avail. Do not get me wrongthe Priest is a very kind and merciful man but “LAZY” does not even begin to describe it:>) As far as the “Traditions” go all I can say is, “At least we have The Eucharist.”
There are many “injustices” in the world today for everyone. I am so thankful we have the Lord to see us through them. I always ask, “What do people do when trouble comes their way and they do not have God nor do they want Him?”
Good post. God Bless, Sandy
Interestingly, Sandy, I was just talking with a faithful Catholic friend of mine, a successful criminal lawyer who is handling a wrongful termination suit within our diocese. I won’t reveal the details on the blog, as a complaint has not yet been filed, but this man described dealing with the diocese thusly:
“It’s like the Gambino Family.”
Yikes!
We discussed how surprising it is given the scrutiny that the Church has been under, and with the rise of Catholic media acting as a sort of watchdog, that the hierarchy still think they can brush away these and other issues.
Luce,
A very true statement regarding “brushing away.” You know though at times I have to ask myself, “Am I too complacent about some of these issues?”
As much as I hate some of what has gone on, “Have I really done anything myself?”
This bothered me and some of my friends very much. So to make our own stand against some of these things, we started giving more money to the victims and more to charities alike.
It is not to say we still do not give to the Church, it is just that it is kind of split now.
We each have to deal with this our own way I guess, like I said, “I have tried the Bishop route, and boy was that a waste of my time and energy:>)
God Bless Luce, Sandy