By David Quinn
Irish Independent
May 29, 2009
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/extent-of-clerical-abuse-is-easily-overestimated-1754741.html
How many clergy are guilty of child sexual abuse? How many sexually abused children have been abused by clergy? In 2002 the Royal College of Surgeons carried out a survey which asked exactly these questions.
In response to the question, how many clergy are guilty of child abuse, a whopping 84pc of the public overestimated the figure. Thirteen per cent of us put it at between 20pc and 29pc and another 11pc of us put the figure at a staggering 50pc or more. The actual figure, according to an American study carried out by John Jay University in the United States, is around 4pc. It's hard to believe it's much different here.
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| A relative of one of the victims of clerical sex abuse holds a copy of the Ryan Report after its publication last week. Photo by Steve Humphreys |
The survey also asked respondents what percentage of children who were sexually abused had been abused by clergy. Again, over 80pc of us overestimated the figure. A quarter of us thought that a third or more of children who have been sexually abused in Ireland were abused by clergy.
The actual figure according to a report called Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI) is 3.2pc.
Given the percentage of clergy in the population that is an awful figure but it's far lower than the public estimate.
Who knows exactly what a similar survey would reveal if carried out today given the understandable public outcry over the industrial schools, but it is nailed-on that many of us would once again grossly overestimate the prevalence of abusers among the clergy.
Does this matter? Of course it does. It would matter if the public believed that far more members of the gardai were guilty of corruption than is in fact the case. It would matter if the public thought sex abuse was very widespread among teachers when it isn't. It would matter if the public badly overestimated the level of criminality among Travellers or immigrants.
It also matters because there is a real danger that we have replaced the presumption of innocence with the presumption of guilt with regard to priests and religious. If we assume that a very high percentage of clergy are guilty of child sex abuse -- when only a small minority are -- then it will be very hard for accused clergy to get a fair trial or to be treated fairly by the public, including by their own parishioners.
When public anger is at its peak that is exactly the time when cool heads must prevail. Lady Justice shows no emotion because emotion clouds judgment. She wears a blindfold to show her impartiality. She carries scales to weigh the evidence for and against. She carries a sword to dispense justice only after all evidence has been considered.
Right now, a considerable portion of the public would like to tear down the Church, starting with the religious orders. Senator Joe O'Toole has called on the Government to sever diplomatic ties with the Vatican. One letter-writer wants anti-gang legislation used against the orders. Another wants the rule of celibacy banned because apparently it turns men into perverts. Incredible stuff.
All sorts of secondary agendas are being attached to the issue of clerical sex abuse. The Church must be driven out of its schools and hospitals we're told. But what about the many parents who still want to send their children to such schools? Or what about the people who still want to be cared for in Catholic hospitals?
Ludicrously, some politicians are even using the Ryan Report as an excuse to try to change the Employment Equality Act which quite rightly allows denominational schools not to employ teachers who don't believe in their ethos. The Church of Ireland was among those who campaigned for that exemption. Doesn't that count for anything?
The 18 orders that ran the institutions have now, quite rightly, agreed to provide more resources towards the care of former residents. I argued as much several years ago in this paper.
What can they actually afford to pay? It's almost certainly a lot less than the public think. To a large extent the orders have become huge old folks' homes and a great deal of their resources is now devoted to looking after their elderly members. If the orders can't look after them, then the State will have to.
In addition, the congregations are still carrying out some good and useful work. If resources are diverted from these works, then one group of marginalised people will be hurt in order to help another group of marginalised people. Presumably no one wants hostels for the homeless to be closed, for example?
Finally, let's say a word about Fr Sean Healy of Cori. I tend not to agree with his economic prescriptions for this country because I believe they are overly reliant on the State. However, he is a good man who has absolutely nothing to do with this whole sorry, awful, tragic mess.
The only reason he's connected with it at all is because Cori foolishly negotiated the redress deal with the Government on behalf of the 18 orders. So can we please leave him alone?
Contact: dquinn@independent.ie
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