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	Stoning the Catholic Church for Child Abuse Anyone? By Kevin Roeten Opinion Editorial [United States] March 7, 2006 http://www.opinioneditorials.com/freedomwriters/kroeten_20060307.html If you're convinced that the Catholic Church is THE player in child pedophilia, it's time to get an informational overhaul. "AP-(2/4) "Chicago priest abuse scandal raises doubts about reforms", unearthed deeply embedded feelings that need to be changed. It charges new doubts about Catholic bishops to eliminate cleric abuse. Let's make it crystal clear--anyone, including a Catholic priest, should be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for the heinous crime of molestation. According to the best and most current study of this abuse, Pedophiles and Priests(Jenkins[non-Catholic]), there is "less" likelihood that a Catholic priest will be a sex offender than a married man. First of all, most of the "alleged" priests that do abuse, are most likely guilty of ephebophilia'a variety of homosexuality in which adults are sexually attracted to post-pubertal males(victims under 18). Pedophilia(abuse of a prepubescent child) has affected only 0.3% of clergy. Pedophilia occurs most often within families, where celibacy removes most Catholic priests from that temptation. From Jenkins' survey it was found that 1 out of 2,252 priests carefully evaluated over a twenty year period was afflicted with pedophilia. It also found that about 40(1.8% of all priests) were probably guilty of pedophilia with minors at some point in their careers. Jenkins' research in the Chicago Archdiocese indicates no evidence whatsoever, that Catholics or other celibate clergy are any more likely to be involved in any misconduct than clergy of any other religion--- or, indeed, than "non-clergy". Because neither being Catholic nor celibate predisposes a person for pedophilia or ephebophelia, a married clergy would not eliminate the problem("Doctors for Pedophilia Research"). Strangely, no information has been generated whether a priest is better, or worse, than the rate for schoolteachers, counselors, social workers, or scoutmasters. Continually hearing "If the Catholic Church allowed priests to marry, none of this would happen", means you've heard wrong. Jenkins' evidence says there's absolutely no relation between the vow of priestly celibacy and the incidence of ephebophilia or pedophilia with Catholic priests. In the general population, the majority of abusers are regressed heterosexual men who sexually abuse girls. Literally, every religion has its share of abuse cases, and some of the worst involve "non-Catholics". Yet Catholics continue to be the "whipping boy" of most media. Every mainline Protestant denomination has had numerous scandals, as have Pentecostals, Mormons, Jews, etc., etc' One Canadian Anglican diocese is on the verge of bankruptcy resulting from numerous lawsuits from years of systematic abuse, yet the "Episcopal" Church does not demand celibacy of its clerics. In 1994, an Ad Hoc Committee issued guidelines for the nation's 191 Catholic dioceses to develop policies against sexual abuse of minors. As a Religious Education teacher, I have been part of special projects eliminating child abuse, have a female partner in class continuously, and have had background checks for any possible past incidents. Our pastor was checked the same way. Why has justified anger over a few appalling cases been turned into ill-focused attacks on innocent clergy by the media' Despite discrimination, hate, and prosecution the Catholic Church was around in 33 AD, and will be around in the "end". Anyone wonder why? Kevin Roeten can be reached at roetenks@charter.net.
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