Comments on: What is the Catholic Church / clergy at all levels doing to prevent sexual abuse of children by priests?

By: yunivers

yunivers — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

So not only focus on the Catholics, the statistics say it's as bad as Protestants. From what I understand, they (the clergy) are being defrocked and jailed. There is more to push under the carpet to say.

By: flamingo

flamingo — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

Not much I fear, as well as school teachers are annoying students. R times defrocked priests or transferred to another parish, while the teacher, based on their appearance can rec. only the freedom of education and loss of license to a prison term.

By: Church Music Girl

Church Music Girl — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

I can tell you some of the measures taken by the Diocese of San Jose in California, which had its share of problems for several years.
Bishop McGrath was the first time publicly that he could say to the priests of the diocese that if any of them even think of violating the trust given to them, that must leave the priesthood NOW. (Not that long ago that nothing, but is a step towards setting the correct tone.)
Diocese now requires background checks on all employees, including priests. It also has a department for appropriate behavior. All employees and many volunteers now take a course in this department. This department also handles reports of abuse or suspected abuse. Minutes reported on a priest, that man is placed on administrative leave and withdrew from his duties, contact with the parish to which it is assigned, and (I think), told not to perform any sacraments. This does not seem much to some, but that last part is a big deal for most of the priests.
The churches of the diocese who are no longer allowed to have any meeting space that has no window and a window of some kind at the door. This covers everything from the offices of private confessionals.
On all fronts, I think it is the laity who are doing most of this. They are not for this type of action, and the priests to be investigated "move." I think / hope to do more seminars psychological selection than they have in the past. Pedophilia is a mental disorder patients is not limited to that caused by the clergy or become a priest.

By: peaceisj

peaceisj — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

All employees or priest set to undergo a background check. There are "safe" training. Recognizing signs of sexual abuse training. And then follow-up workshops.
And not just once in any transfer of the Diocese has to be repeated.

By: Crypt

Crypt — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

Nicoderm patch

By: †Dark† †Passions†

†Dark† †Passions† — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

nothing was broken only in a local Catholic church, which has already claimed here in Chicago and moved here to the great Northwoods escape prosecution - which is being sued by parents of their victims and chicago

By: mama (RA)

mama (RA) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles every person who works or volunteers (including a priest) must attend a Virtus training, which educates about the protection of children. All programs are monitored and access to different areas of the church are controlled. Nobody is ever alone with a child.
I heard a priest to go through rigorous examinations before taking their vows now. Since I am not a priest I am not exactly sure of all the other things that happen. However, the Catholic magazine, news, addresses this question in each topic.

By: shell answer man

shell answer man — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

You know, I was thinking about it on my walk this afternoon. It seems odd that DC now move to ban the entry of homosexuals to the priesthood when … Well, now wait, homosexuality is a sin, but perhaps not "doing" what is right and the only place that can not practice "is, technically, the priesthood, because it has to stay celibate. In theory. For what seems like a plan to promote the priesthood as a career for homosexuals who can not get their act together enough to leave a church that labels them guilty. I'm not saying all priests are homosexual, but Gee whiz, that promises not to have sex? Not only be easier for DC to return to * * the rules that were in the Middle Ages to allow priests to marry?
Edit: Do not read that screed that confuse homosexuality and pedophilia. But most acts are at once and it seems that the CC has an idea (as an institution can have a thought), than a healthy adult man can and can not do with your willie oh … I give up, I m not even Catholic and I do not think they really do much of anything right … but I think we can solve this problem by allowing the priests that "the real people - celibacy is not normal. Not for long periods of time.

By: love_2b_

love_2b_ — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

They are doing the least possible, that's for sure!
And (if you already want to know my conspiracy theory?), I think the reason that is not doing much .. . . is because the top has a bad conscience! (all of them have done!). Therefore, the cover-up!
(That's my theory anyway?)

By: skepsis

skepsis — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:24 +0000

I can only speak from my own experience at the diocesan and parish level. The clergy, staff and volunteers who work in parish and diocesan programs that involve contact with children must undergo criminal background checks on a regular basis. Social guidelines are in place (ie, not behind closed doors, one to one discussions or counseling outside the confessional. No driving children home after school, etc.) These guidelines are established to protect juveniles and adults.
If a complaint is made, the accused is immediately removed from his ministry, while a preliminary investigation is conducted. If there is no justification, the suspension becomes indefinite and the police case. Last year, a parish neigboring had to do without their pastor for a couple of months, while only one such investigation was done. Was reinstated, but only shows how seriously the diocese now has these issues.
Recent cases are treated just as seriously. Our parish was held a couple of healing sessions and discussion recently about a pastor for 20 years (before I came there) who was being prosecuted for indecent assault. So it's not just about the legal aspects of the problem.
I sincerely believe bishops are caught in the Christian concept of forgiveness and compassion and not simply to recognize the scope and pastoral implications of the problem. Have been forced to be more cautious and vigilant in the world. Not just a showcase, at least not in this country.