My brother is a non practicing Catholic who was getting more interest in his Faith, until these sex scandals came up in teh news media. I know that they blow it out of proportion , and that the vast majority of priests are faithful, but he sees it as a confirmation that the Church's laws on priestly celibacy are outdated, and that the church is hypocritical (ie: teaching morality, and then the pastors of the flock themselves act contrarily to what tehy teach. My own faith is not shaken, but what about those who are converting or considering conversion....how do we not loose them and yet how can we answer their queries in a way that is both proper and satisfying to them.

Joe

-- Joe Biltz (jcbiltz@canoemail.com), December 15, 2002

Answers

Response to What is the best way to defend the church in the midst of teh wide media coverage of teh sex scandals surrounding some priests?

Joe,

In my opinion, I think it is important to remind people, with questions about this difficult and trying issue, that the Catholic Church is not the "lone ranger", as it were, where sexual misconduct is concerned. I would also point out that the clergy of ALL denominations have abused in the past, but that the Catholic Church is always a news-grabbing religion...because we hold our faith to a higher standard which does not make current societal norms correlative. In other words, we don't water down our beliefs to make it easier to be a Christian...making us seem out-dated.

But, truth be told, all faiths are guilty of the same sins that the Catholic priests have committed. And not all clergy are to be viewed as potential offenders. The large majority are not prone to to these issues. It is not a disease born from celibacy...rather a disease born from mental illness. And this illness exists in all people, and in every status. One of my best friends was molested by her own father...who was not a priest. It is not celibacy that breeds abuse, but illness.

In closing, I would also like to mention that a Catholic who chooses to leave the faith because of these transgressions may have never had the faith fully within them at all. One bad apple doesn't spoil the lot. A bad priest here and there should never be an excuse for leaving the faith. If you are maintaining your religion because of a priest, it's a shallow faith. You should hold tight to your faith for its teachings, theology and truths. I know you said your brother is lapsed, but I felt I should mention this last diatribe all the same.

God be with you and your brother. This is a touchy issue to discuss.

-- Melissa Wilson (meanolemelissa@hotmail.com), December 15, 2002.

Response to What is the best way to defend the church in the midst of teh wide media coverage of teh sex scandals surrounding some priests?

Joe,

First thing is to be the best Catholic you can be towards your brother. That is always the best apologetic.

Second thing is, let your brother know that, beyond anything else, it's Christ who deserves our child-like faith, and that the office of the Priest carries with a holiness that survives the malformed person occupting it, so that his sins need not ever be a consideration where the Graces of the Mass are concerned.

For further reading, try doing some research on the Donatist heresy, and look for some of St. Francis' writings on the respect due to priests, "though they are sinners." (He had a number of things to say about the Diocesans, it seems).

-- Skoobouy (skoobouy@hotmail.com), December 15, 2002.

Response to What is the best way to defend the church in the midst of teh wide media coverage of teh sex scandals surrounding some priests?

The current problem with homosexual priests abusing adolescent boys has nothing to do with the Church's regulations regarding the marital status of priests. If the Church allowed priests to marry, undoubtedly some would; but the priests who have committed these acts against young men would obviously not marry, since they are homosexuals; and, unless dealt with, they would continue to abuse boys whether the Church allowed priests to marry or not. Indeed, even if some of those very priests did marry, they would still abuse boys, because marriage does not cure the psychosocial disorder they suffer from. The two issues are entirely unconnected, but those who support the idea of married priests have made use of this situation and tried to force a connection, to strengthen their own unrelated position.

If the fact that priests are sinners means that the Church is hypocritical, then there is no point in having a Church, because there is no-one available but sinners to fill the position of priest. In fact, there is no-one but sinners available to fill the role of Church member. The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a club for saints. It ministers to sinners through other sinners by the grace of God. This doesn't release anyone from responsibility for their own sins; however, let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 15, 2002.

Response to What is the best way to defend the church in the midst of teh wide media coverage of teh sex scandals surrounding some priests?

I can really answer this question first hand, in a way. The Lord began moving me towards the Catholic Church last year. I had my head buried deep in Church theology and the writings of the early church for literally months. I even had to quit my job for six months I was so immersed in catholocism. I never watched the news during that time! When I did come up for air, turned on the T.V., and here is the scandal IN MY FACE! It knocked me off my moorings for a bit, I admit.

But then something strange began to happen to my focus. I was starting to see this "clean-up" as the mighty, disciplining hand of the Lord. I looked around at other churches. I knew, statistically, that Protestant churches suffer just as bad from abusers at the helm, actually perhaps even more so, than does the Catholic Church. I noticed that no Church suffers the scourging that the Catholic Church receives. Then I remembered, "The Lord disciplines those he loves." I remembered that a "true son" receives the chastening of the Lord.

So, it's all in the perspective really. Yes, it is horrendous that these things have happened, "But Spring Time IS Coming!" Pay attention. You will find the air is lighter, sweeter and more glorious than before! Tell your brother to have a little faith, for He is faithful. He will complete this good work. And when he does the Church will be Holier, More Glorious, More Loving and More Like Him! Amen. May it be so, Lord!

Love,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 15, 2002.

Response to What is the best way to defend the church in the midst of teh wide media coverage of teh sex scandals surrounding some priests?

Yes, all denominations have child abusers in them.

Yes not all denominations get the same level of scrutiny and coverage that this latest scandal has brought forth. However, I think it is a little more than just because the Catholic Church "holds itself to a higher standard and doesn't make it easier to be a Christian."

First of all, in the Roman Church's defense, it is GIGANTIC. It is ONE GIGANTIC entity with the same chain of command meaning that for every 1 incident in a much smaller church it is going to be held responsible for anywhere from 10-40. There are 65 million Catholics in America. That blows the largest Protestant denominations out of the water. The number of cases coming out are enormous compared to the number of cases in much smaller denominations, although overall there proabably is no difference between Roman and Protestant totals.

There is a larger controversey though. That is that non-abusers cover up and send abusers off to another unsuspecting Parish. That opens the church up to lawsuits due to negligence. The Jehovah's Witnesses have faced similar scandal and lawsuits which Dateline did a story on, but since there are only 1 million Jehovah's Witnesses in America it is not going to get nearly as many cases or attention.

Peace

-- robert (4twells@verizon.net), December 15, 2002.

Response to What is the best way to defend the church in the midst of teh wide media coverage of teh sex scandals surrounding some priests?

I would point out to your brother that all of the scientific studies on the incidence of paedophilia have shown that it is far more commonly committed by men who are married or who also have sexual relations with other adults. It is also more common in those who profess no religious belief than in declared believers.

What the media refers to as "cover-ups" by those in charge also needs to be put in perspective. It was only quite recently that the community in general realised that a person who has abused one child should not be trusted with children again, no matter how apparently sincere he is in admitting his guilt and promising, even believing, that he will never do the same again. Our leaders of the past thought that it was better to avoid "scandal" - NOT in the modern sense of "bad PR", but meaning the ordinary faithful being discouraged from pursuing a moral life by a publicised bad example given by one of those they look up to. As Chaucer put it "If gold rust, what will iron do?" Yes, with hindsight this attitude is outdated, but hopefully now it has been abandoned. Prospective priests today undergo the most intensive and extensive psychological screening of any profession, to screen out potential paedophiles. Most of all I think you can help your brother by giving support to the priests you know, who have to suffer because of the sins of a few of their brother priests. If you have children, show him that you have no hesitation in leaving them alone with the priests you know.

-- Peter (gilfedd@curie.dialix.com.au), January 04, 2003.