Sexual Abuse Charges Against Clergy Continue, Maybe are Increasing


A former police officer who prosecuted sexual abuse has been following cases against clergy. He thinks they are on the rise. This implies there is an increase in sexual abuse by clergy. It may be, of course, the amount remains constant and more cases are being prosecuted and publicized. 

The link author's observation there are more cases is consistent with what I see in the publication of Freedom From Religion Foundation, Freethought Today. FFRF is the largest atheist organization in the U.S. with annual revenue of $5 million.  Freethought Today compiles only reports that appear in news publications. It is published six times a year and devotes several pages of small print to misdeeds of clergy including both sexual and theft. The volume seems to be slowly rising.

In the last issue, there were several new cases involving Catholic clergy. While Catholic cases continue, we can hope the former practice of shifting known abusers from parish to parish is not as common.

The link author, who is male, laments the common practice in Christianity of blaming the victim. We know this is done outside the faith as well. But that it is the common defense of clergy is alarming to him. His faith persuades him clergy should be honest, admit their shortcomings, not abuse in the first place only to abuse again by blaming the victim when facing charges.  

I realize everyone, including clergy, can be victims of lies by women and others and deserve the best defense available in court. The central problem is in Christianity itself. The faith allows myths to be repeated as facts. This opens the door to preachers and priests who sell these myths to be put, or put themselves, on a pedestal of importance. The door for abuse is opened. 

I was pleased to read a while back that Jay Bakker, preacher and son of Jim and Tammy Fae, said he remains acutely aware that being a preacher is to have the opportunity to play with people's minds. If only everyone in society knew preachers/priests are in business for the very purpose of playing with people's emotions maybe there would be more caution about both the faith and its clergy.  

Denominations and non-affiliated churches could reduce abuse by changing their beliefs. First, all discrimination against women holding clergy positions should be eliminated. Second, the notion clergy have some special status or insight into Biblical mythology should also go. It seems to me these steps would cut back on the notion clergy have a license to abuse women. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Maybe the "Original Sin" Should be Reassigned

Image
We can all agree most Catholic priests are fine people and not guilty of sexual abuse. What Catholics must face, however, it that their church harbors executives who are dishonest . There is an incredible story about the Argentine Bishop Zanchetta. The Pope worked with him in Argentina and they are considered friends. Around 2015 Zanchetta sent nude pictures of himself and they began circulating world wide. He also was too friendly with young seminarians and some left because of him.  Three different officials say they made formal complaints to the Vatican about Zanchetta between 2015 and 2017. Yet, in 2018, the Vatican claimed it was unaware of any complaints about Zanchetta. This might be a good time to repeat the Catholic hierarchy claims to have the sole authority handed down from Jesus to what the faith stands for. It condemns as sinners those who practice birth control, have abortions and gay sexual relationships. Handing the hierarchy this responsibility would make som
Read more

The Religious Capitol Invaders May Yet Win

Image
So much about U.S. society and religion can be learned from the Civil War and what happened afterwards. After its defeat, the South started a myth about the unethical soldiers from the North. The South fought for principles of God and states rights. The North did not. It was the South, this propaganda told the country, that had the high moral ground.  The Capitol invaders, encouraged by Trump, swallowed the myth that Biden's election was stolen. Thus, they think they held and still hold the high moral ground. This was reinforced by the cross and prayers during the invasion. Even with Trump is gone, we will see political opportunists like Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley stroking crowds and feeding the same lies as Trump. Like "the South will rise again" these gullible followers will talk of victory over the unclean. After the Civil War the South rallied around the phrase, Lost Cause. For decades, and maybe to this day, there are ceremonies remembering fallen martyrs, Re
Read more

Father Frank Pavone, the Ultimate Crook

Image
Recently, the Vatican defrocked Frank Pavone. His diehard fans are outraged. This is because he cleverly manipulated his fans and the press all the while living well from donations and, apparently, abusing some women. By making abortion the "sin" of the century, and himself the main opposition to this one sin, he himself could get away with any sin he pleased.  As the link points out, Pavone was the perfect priest for the Trump era. Trump is so self-important laws have no role in his life. He felt accountable to no one. Women were there to be had. Pavone and Trump are interchangeable.  Pavone was very successful raising money. In his mind, abortion was so important in Catholic beliefs and he was so important in anti-abortion the money he raised opposing it was his to do with what he liked. The Catholic Church, the brand name he used to raise this money, thought the money belonged to it. When he gave the Vatican the bird, it gave him walking papers. With polls showing the majo
Read more