1. Hierarchy of the
Catholic Church
Suppressing Information on
Sexual Abuse
By Moe Finn
2. Secrecy has created an atmosphere that has
inhibited the healing process and in some cases
enabled sexually abusive behavior to be
repeated.
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
4. Most prominent and influential
Benedictine monks in the second
half of the 11th century
Wrote a long treatise
condemning sexual activities
between oblates (boys) and their
master (monks) to the Pope
One of the first , and among the
few, documents by a Catholic
authority condemning and
exposing clerical sexual abuse
In formation from: Child sexual abuse and the Catholic
church: An historical and contemporary review
5. Situational Analysis:
“Hardly a Twentieth Century Phenomenon”
Most cases sealed in the Vatican
archives
judged in ecclesiastical courts
Catholic authorities were often
aware of the priest’s past
criminal/sexual activities
Local bishops and superiors would
allow the sex offender to continue in
ministry with children without
mandating treatment for the minister
Victims were often left without
resources
Parent reports to church officials
were ignored and minimized
“deep pocketing”
Information from: Child sexual abuse and the Catholic church:
An historical and contemporary review (1997)
8. What do U.S. Catholics believe?
48% widespread problem in the church
53% handled the problem badly
64 % concerned with protecting image
then solving problem
Poll information from: Child sexual abuse and the Catholic church: An
historical and contemporary review (1997)
9. Continued…
S urvey: KRC Communications in
Massachusetts for the Boston Globe
Random survey of 401 Catholics
Results
7 out of 10 Catholics
believing the church covered up
71% church tried to cover it up the problem and has NOT done
enough to address it
73% happens more than the
public knows
69% church has not done a
good enough job addressing
this issue
Information from: Child sexual abuse and the Catholic
church: An historical and contemporary review (1997)
10. Victim response…
Francis Finnegan
“It has to stop. They haven’t changed anything. I stand here
because I don’t want somebody who is 7 today to be me in 40
years.”
“I don’t want somebody to continue to be covered up and
sheltered by the Catholic Church.”
Suit alleges that the archdiocese:
“actively concealed their knowledge of Kline's previous
offenses, lied to parishioners and created a sham sexual abuse
victim assistance program for the archdiocese.“
CNN Report: 3rd Suit Filed Against Philadelphia Archdiocese Charging Sexual Abuse
11. Tactics
Victims Come Forward
Civil Courts
Media to spread word
this echoed the church’s refusal to acknowledge, remove, or
require clergy offenders to be place in treatment and dismissed
from ministerial duties
MOST Lawsuits: felt church did not listen, failed to
take their allegations seriously or failed to act promptly
Catholic authorities frequently reminded the public of the relatively
small percentage of priest offenders
stated their lack of knowledge, not their lack of sensitivity, contributed to
administrative mistakes in the past
Information from: Child sexual abuse and the Catholic church: An historical and contemporary review (1997)
12. Continued…
Professionals have argued that knowledge of an offenders
dangerousness, the risk of recidivism, and the harmful effects upon
their victims was well established in the time period in which the
church ignored the problem of clergy sexual abuse (the 60’s, 70’s,
and early 80’s)
Church treatment centers were warned decades ago by mental
health professional not to release their sex offenders into pastoral
ministry
These warnings were left unheeded and many clergy continued to sexually
abuse children while in treatment
More abuse occurred in the 1970s than any other decade, peaking
in 1980.
But, these conclusions have to be qualified because additional allegations for
those time periods may surface in the future.
Information from: The Nature and Scope of the Problem of Sexual Abuse of Minors
by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States
13.
14. Reverend Gilbert Gauthe
1st case that brought
priest-child sexual abuse
into the public eye
Lawsuits were brought
against the church in
1983 alleging that it
failed to respond to
adequately
Information from: A Tragic Grace: The Catholic
Church and Child Sexual Abuse
15. After Many Cases…
1980s
Rev. Thomas Doyle, O.P.,
Ray Mouton, and Rev. Ray wrote: “The first objective,
Michael Peterson, M.D. of which one must never loose (sic)
sight, is to maintain, preserve and seek
collaborated on a 92 page to enhance the credibility of the church
paper as a Christian community. The Church
should be presented as a sensitive,
caring and responsible entity which
1st comprehensive attempt to gives unquestioned attention and
concern to the victims….The church
address the issue of clergy- must remain open and avoid the
child sexual abuse in the appearance of being under siege
(sic) or drawn into battle….clichés
Catholic Church. such as “no comment” must be cast
away. In this sophisticated society a
media policy of silence implies either
NOT given a chance necessary secrecy or coverup.”
Information from: A Tragic Grace: The Catholic Church
and Child Sexual Abuse
16. Policy for Restoration
Will adopt and implement
The National Conference of policies based on the following
Catholic Bishops (NCCB) ideals:
1. To Promote healing and
Established an ad hoc Reconciliation with Victims/Survivors
committee on sexual abuse by of Sexual Abuse of Minors
2. To guarantee an effective response
clergy to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of
Minors
3. To ensure the accountability of our
Each diocese has developed procedures
comprehensive policies 4. To protect the faithful in the future
concerning sexual abuse Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People—
approved by full body of US Catholic bishops at its
June 2002 General Meeting
Information from: Walk in the Light: A Pastoral Response to
Child Sexual Abuse
17. Offer physical safety and help for sexual abuse victims/survivors
Bring about spiritual and emotional healing, forgiveness, and
reconciliation
Raise awareness about the issue by our preaching and teaching
Offer help and support for abusers while holding them accountable
for their actions
Promote the education of pastors and church workers about the
issue and encourage them to provide appropriate assistance
Information from: Walk in the Light: A Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse
18. For Parishes:
Create an atmosphere of welcome, trust, and safety
Establish a procedure to respond
Develop a network of people with expertise in dealing with sexual
abuse
Mention of sexual abuse within a homily
Many abused persons and abusers turn to their parishes to find
healing and reconciliation
Develop programs to teach people about sexual abuse issues.
Raise the questions of violence and the roles of men and women
within the family as part of marriage preparation.
Promote the use of language in parish programs and materials that
reflects the equal dignity of women.
Share information and resources with other parishes and dioceses
that are also trying to address sexual abuse issues.
Information from: Walk in the Light: A Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse
19. Evaluation
Hierarchy is to blame
Rise of Media helped Victims disclose
information
Restoration Tactics have proven
insufficient
Pedophilia is not curable
20. NOW…
Do YOU believe the hierarchy of the
Catholic Church contributed to the
suppression of sexual abuse?
