Top Catholic Priest Says "It's Inappropriate" to Ask Clergy about Their Sex Lives - Despite Shocking Statistics Showing 7 Per Cent Are Paedophiles

By Nelson Groom
Daily Mail
February 8, 2017

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4202612/Mark-Coleridge-soeaks-Royal-Commission-child-abuse.html

One of Australia's most senior Catholic priests believes it is inappropriate to ask priests about their sex lives before they are accused of abuse.

Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge has told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that a bishop's relationship with a priest is 'delicate'.

When asked how the church allowed more than 4,000 Australian children to be allegedly abused, he said there are 'certain things' the head of the diocese are not entitled to know about the clergy.

Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge believes it is inappropriate to ask priests about their sex lives before they are accused of abuse

'How would I justifiably inquire of a priest what his sexual behaviour was when it hadn't emerged into the public forum and become a problem in the community which he was supposed to lead?' he said in Sydney on Wednesday.

'I have no right to ask those questions or, if I do, to expect an answer.'

This week the scale of the problem was laid bare with data showing seven per cent of Australian priests are accused child sex abusers.

The opening address of the hearing found 7 percent of priests in Australia between 1950 and 2010 were accused of sexually abusing children.

Royal commission chairman Peter McClellan said a skilled person might notice a priest not functioning effectively without asking straight away about his sex life.

'So when you find a problem with the way someone is functioning, the question maybe should be asked: what is their personal life really all about?,' Justice McClellan said.

The top Catholic priest told a Royal Commission into into Child Abuse a bishop's relationship with a priest is 'delicate'

Archbishop Coleridge replied: 'That is something that would pertain to someone providing professional supervision or spiritual direction rather than something that would pertain to the bishop.'

People in the public gallery were asked to stop making comments during the archbishop's exchange with the chairman, who said some people might think a bishop's inability to ask about a priest's personal life might indicate a management flaw.

The discussion arose after Archbishop Coleridge said he was not naive enough to think all priests remained celibate.

This week the scale of the problem was laid bare with data showing seven per cent of Australian priests are accused child sex abusers

He said he was not persuaded celibacy caused people to become child sexual abusers but said the idea it might be an aggravating factor was still 'on the table'.

The scripture's message on sexuality had previously been poorly communicated in seminary teachings, he said.

'It's (the appropriate teaching that) human sexuality is geared to love and not power. In other words, the exact opposite of what happens in the case of sexual abuse or violation of any kind,' Archbishop Coleridge said.

The hearing continues.

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