Debbie T

No one has said it isn't happening out there, but there are laws in place to help protect the children, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I would like to know more about this story. Your story does show that there was accountability, but is very fuzzy about the first case scenario.

Infinity Lover

On a more generic note...

...I think that in scenario's such as this, it's a very human response to complain about how too little is being done too late.

But at the same time avoiding 'the wrath' of the outside public is also a very human response.

What you get is a vicious circle where negativity stuns the process of learning from the mistakes that fuell the negativity. The prospective of a lynching mob, isn't the most healthy climate for openness. In our judgemental ways we often end up turning each other into liars.

Has anyone here ever done something stupid as a kid, and not tell mom and dad about it to 'dodge the bullit'?

Learning how harnass our emotions, and not let them get the better of us, clouding our judgement, plays an important part in growing as a civilization.

I think that also applies to how all parties involved are dealing with this particular situation.

Debbie T

I wouldn't call people's reaction to this as a lynch mob. People are understandably angry about this. I can say I am appalled by this particular situation because this isn't the first time this has come out. There was a big scandel about this about 10 (?) years ago and the Catholic Church did nothing to change the situation and children were still abused.

When 3 out of 5 girls are sexually abused and 4 out of 7 boys are abused in the same manner it is time for us all to get our heads out of the sand about it. And this is just reported cases! That's a lot of walking wounded. If this was any other crime statistic wouldn't we be doing a lot more? I doubt people want to lynch these people but I do believe that many of us want changes in the law to make people accountable. That the Cardinal can walk away from this and not be held accountable is not going to help children remain safe in the Catholic church.

There are churches out there that do not do background checks on people that work with the children in the church. If we don't talk about this and educate people about what is going on in the church it will not help children. The secular world is already doing what it can to help put a stop to it, and the church needs to do the same. Otherwise it remains a dangerous place for children. There still will be those that slip through the cracks in the secular part of society but everytime it happens there needs to be an accountibility and those responsible punished under the law. When a church doesn't have to be under the same laws then it will remain more dangerous.

Also the church is supposed to or at least claims to be the moral leaders of society, yet the way the church is handling this problem does not show any leadership, but a lot of cover ups. They aren't children trying to keep from getting caught, these are men who should have a duty to protect the people of the church.

Amie

odd that I googled it and came up with the college paper links. The second link mentioned that the article was in the Daily bulletin newspaper and I specifically followed this story so I'll see if I can get a link for you. The reason I listed that as an example is because its the first one I thought of. My ex was a good friend of his.

http://www.ulaverne.edu/~ctimes/981016/teachers.htm

http://www.ulaverne.edu/~ctimes/001020/teachers.htm

The guy was arrested and sent to jail so there *must* be more on him than this...
I'll search the daily bulletin and the Tribune and get back to you.

Debbie T

Thank you Amie. What I didn't see in either of these stories was a cover up by school administrators which is what I was looking for. Still appalling this happens, any adult in power over others and abusing others with it is wrong.

Amie

I think most people want these people to be held accountable...

There are probably other organizations as well as churches that don't do background investigations...

what is sec world doing to help put a stop to it?

Debbie T

According to the law they are supposed to do background checks at least in my state. Laws are changing a lot to help children laws such as the law that that make it unlawful to not report child abuse. Registering sex offenders among other things. There are child advocacy programs which I am a part of, groups who's sole purpose is to educate the public for the prevention of child abuse. Also hotlines such as Childhelp USA
The Childhelp USA® National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453) available 24 hours/day.

Amy please understand this topic is about Cardinal Law that is why I am talking about the abuse that is happening in the Catholic Church, no one is denying it doesn't happen elsewhere. I understand your feeling defensive about your church but this is the topic at hand.

Infinity Lover

Okay, now I'm gonna misspell your name Debby... on principle!
Nah, just goofing.

As someone who's been an atheist his entire life, and has no personal attachment to any church, I was just as puzzled by what this elusive "secular world" you were referring to exactly was. (And still am somewhat to be honest)

It might be tempting to flip out the "feeling defensive about your church" card, but does one really have to be Roman Catholic to zoom out, and look at the broader picture?

When it comes to pedophilia, it's definately open to debate how well the authorities handle things in general. Known offenders set loose after doing their time only to turn into repeat offenders. The obligation to defend and inform the public on the one hand, not making the names faces and locations of pedophiles public, to avoid undesirable vigilanty actions on the other...

If a thread that tends to present a problem as yet another example of what's wrong with a particular organization, while it is really about a specific manifestation of a problem that is present throughout the whole of society (thus unavoidably within said organization as well), and it might be wiser to treat it as such, pointing that out is hardly off topic t.m.h.o., or nessecarily biased for that matter.

Amos

We all know what you mean here Debbie but don't you think that it is time we look at the origen of the cause because that would make nearly half of the people criminals?

Talulah

So, I am not Catholic, I didn't know there was a difference between nuns who taught and otherwise.

Trust me, I know that the same issues are in the public school system. It is only that when I hear of the massive scandals going on in the Catholic church and then I see that people send their vulnerable children to a school of the same entity, it makes me nervous, that is all. I still contend that a child would NOT have as much trouble telling their parents that a teacher did something to them as they would have if she same thing happened with a priest or 'sister.' It is the religion thing.

I keep seeing you talk about origins. I am curious to know what you are thinking of when you say this.