NEWBURYPORT (MA)
Daily News
February 18, 2019
By William Shuttleworth
This is a very difficult essay to write and is sure to cause anger and denial. For generations, Catholic priests have sexually abused children throughout the entire world.
The number of reported and documented cases is prolific in almost every state and hundreds of priests are being investigated and charged for sexual abuse of minors. Reporting by The Boston Globe revealed the extent of abuse in this state 15 years ago in its “Spotlight” series.
In virtually every diocese, the Catholic Church engages in constant attempts to refute, distort and minimize the fact priests are responsible for the wanton sexual abuse of hundreds of thousands, probably millions, of children worldwide.
Put this in perspective of what a national health hazard this really is. A few years ago, three cases of the Ebola virus were diagnosed in the United States and we appointed a cabinet-level czar to oversee this matter.
Yet, our national government has been silent on the issue of sexual abuse by Catholic priests. It is incomprehensible that the guardians of our nation’s health have not launched a full investigation into the willful, calculated and intentional destruction of children’s lives at the hands of thousands of sexual predators using the protection of the church. A child who has been sexually abused is forever damaged, a shattered soul seeking healing forever more.
There has been some lip service, some papal councils, committees well-orchestrated and public apologies by Catholic officials. Many priests have been transferred (which is a tragic way of continuance of abuse), and a few priests have been arrested, imprisoned and/or excommunicated.
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