Rising Above the Clergy Scandal

By Fr. DONNELL KIRCHNER, CSSR, STL

Like so many others, Catholic or not, I was saddened and embarrassed by recent news about clergy abuse in Pennsylvania and Ireland, now New York and elsewhere. Those who were most vulnerable and defenseless should have been the most protected and secure. Infancy and youth should be free of stress for our future leaders and parents who will have to assume heavy burdens, not be threatening nor frightening.

This crisis involves pedophiles — people who fantasize about having a relationship with young children. A pedophile is a person with a dark, destructive and disturbed mind. In an ideal world we might try to understand better these sick individuals. Many health officials describe it as a mental illness that has no known cure. Yet there seems to exist examples that many pedophiles were abused themselves and victims in their childhood. As many noted psychologists have confirmed, traumas from early sexual mistreatment harm one’s emotion growth and development well into adulthood, making this a serious evil on the well being of a person.

So, as to be expected, a revolt and reaction against such crimes and sins soon followed and new voices were raised demanding that something be done. What was so frustrating for many was the expiration of the Statue of Limitation, which prevented prosecution of many old cases. Numerous cases happened so long ago that the pedophiles were dead. Suggestions like having all the bishops of the US resign at the same time is about as practical as having all congressmen renounce their seats because of the transgression or scandals of other sitting representatives. Who would replace them? How do we know if we are getting anyone better?

Others cried out that parishioners should withhold their weekly contributions. The greatest victims of that, however, would be the poor and weak members of society who are helped in so many areas where the government’s safety net has broken or never arrived.

Even some nuns want to help out and be part of the solution. Most people recognize that women are much better in the process of healing, as they are good listeners. But to hand over all control is not a simple solution however, as well known activist Sr. Simone Campbell warns that “women can be as easily seduced into power as men.” And now there are documented cases of women religious orders with their own brand of scandal in running orphanages.

Since we all know the force that sexuality exercises over all of us, what can be done to limit, eliminate or control the occasions which have caused these problems and trouble? History and human nature teach us that the temptations and falls seem to be part of our DNA. In a sense, sexual abuse in so many forms of rape have always been with us. Movements like Me-Too and social media have made it possible to speak out, to publicize the heinous deeds which have been done. David may have been humble enough to write a Psalm begging pardon for his sexual escapes, but few public figures possess such virtue, as we see with our current and past presidents.

It seems fair enough to say that the Catholic Church is not the only large institution which has bad members. Traditional organizations which have done great good for millions of youth have their own secret files. Some of the perpetrators are married, with children of their own, so celibacy in itself is not the cause.

I just returned from a training program called Presidium for religious order priests, which I must attend every three years to maintain my active status in parish ministry. Without this, I would have to hang out as a hermit. Fortunately, the program seems to be working, as most of the damage being reported was done during the decade of the 1970s, peaking in the ’80s, with hardly any new cases since (though one new case is still one too much). Yet the general press keeps on repeating these old crimes and abuses as though they took place last week. Because of this great reduction (even one new case is one too much), most bishops and chancellery officials are frustrated by all the bad press the Church continues to get. What to do? Is private responsibility, nevertheless, too weak a force against biological instincts?

If the hierarchy has been running behind in responding to all this, at least it is doing many things. Admitting the truth and asking for pardon is no longer taboo. Bishop after bishop has come forward asking for forgiveness, and letting civil prosecutors see Church documents, whether demanded or not. Also on the list has been better screening of new candidates for entering seminaries. Programs like the Presidium and others for those in ministry, with its constant check ups, a zero tolerance for perpetrators, which can mean expulsion from clerical ranks, and a growing awareness of the seriousness of this crime, have all helped to greatly reduce new cases.

An estimate has been made that 5% of the clergy suffer from this disease and sickness, a number which I feel is too high. Yet even 1% is still unacceptable. Is allowing for a married clergy a solution? This is not the time nor the place to concentrate our efforts as it is obvious that the majority of pedophiles are married men!

The changes desired and needed include common sense practices such as not allowing such adults to be alone in closed quarters (e.g. a bed room) with kids, excessive touching especially of the more intimate parts of the body, kissing and foundling, tickling, having kids touch adults etc.

If not only a member of the clergy, but also a coach, a choir director, a teacher or a scout master invites young people for a camping trip, or a fishing or hunting expedition, hiking, a sleep over, which involves being away from home and out overnight, and does not invite any other adult to accompany the group, warning bells should begin to toll.

After great fires or devastating floods, some people pack up and leave. Others stay and rebuild their lives and their homes. It is no time to abandon or leave the Church. May this time of crisis and questioning bring forth a renewed Church, purified and holier, one dedicated to its core principles of leading people to the Lord and helping them achieve their immortal salvation.

Will future cases of sexual abuse appear? Probably so. Human nature does not change overnight. Can something be done to restrain new opportunities? The past 15 years has proven that numbers can drop. Does talking about it and being vigilant help? Yes.

Father Donnell Kirchner, CSsR, STL, received a degree in moral theology in Rome and taught for 39 years as a Redemptorist priest in Brazil, teaching at a regional pastoral institute in Manaus. He is currently ministering in Baton Rouge, La. Email Donkirchner70@yahoo.com.

From The Progressive Populist, October 15, 2018

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