In Reply to: Repost from GenX posted by ssam on February 16, 2004 at 08:32:37:
I suggest some people take a look at the report Catholic church commissioned in the US to gauge the extent of the abuse (as much as that is possible by all the data they have kept) within their rank. It is coming out on Feb 27. Previews tell us the report identifies various pivotal issues that made it possible for criminal actions to remain undisclosed and to be ignored for so long. A few of the issues cited are:
- insufficiency to grasp the gravity of the problem
- a misguided willingness to forgive
- overemphasizing the risk of a scandal
- LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY (my emphasis)
The data show various percentages of priests accused of molestation throughout various decades, from 1950 to present times...ranging from one to multiple allegations.
About 3% of the priests (which equals 147 in number) were responsible for allegations of abuse on 3,000 minors! Larger percentages involved priests with "only" one to two or three allegations.
I would like to point out that the Family could learn a LOT from what is happening in the Catholic Church. A couple of thoughts:
-Why won't the Family commission a report of the sort, even just to attempt to first and foremost gauge the EXTENT of the molestation? They have been collecting data and reports for years, they should have a lot to look into.
-There is a difference between forgiveness and accountability. People can be forgiven for anything, but their legal and human accountability REMAINS. If you are accused of manslaughter you can be forgiven but you'll have to do time.
More after the report comes out on February 27.