Celibacy and Pedophilia
by I am following the news concerning the mess involving the Vatican concerning the sexual abuses by the priests. In my view, the whole mess is multi-faceted. Every aspect of it is able to provide a singular explanation about the entire affair. But, only when all the facets of the issue are frankly and clear-headedly tackled can the issue in its entirety be understood and addressed.
There was a bold assertion that was reported by the media concerning the pedophile priests of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, it must have been occasioned by the vow of celibacy that ordained priests of the Catholic Church are making and striving to live out. The logic of this assertion is simple. Priests are depriving themselves of sexual activities. But, they eventually end up releasing their sexual energies – illicitly and immorally!
But, is celibacy really the root of pedophilia in the Church?
A Jesuit writer by the name of James Martin has made a compelling reason arguing against the link between the celibacy and pedophilia. He cited Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea and Virginia Goldner, authors of the book “Predatory Priests, Silenced Victims,” who wrote that sexual abuse of children similarly occurs among Protestant ministers, Jewish rabbis, Islamic clerics, Buddhist monks, and Hare Krishna officials. Note that these religious leaders do not observe a mandatory vow of celibate life.
Too, Rev. Martin keenly observed that the Inhabitant Review Board –an independent group of Catholic laypersons who were made to report to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops as the Church in America was besieged by the abuse crises starting in 2002 – came out with a list of policies that led to the “zero tolerance” by the American hierarchy. Interestingly, the Board never mentioned about celibacy in their list of policy proposals.
There is also the John Jay College of Criminal that evenhandedly observed that in the period 1950 and 2002 there were around four percent (4%) of American priests who were accused of abuse. Of course, a case of pedophilia is one too many. But, taking this figure and comparing it to what the Inhabitant Center for Gone and Exploited Children holds that one for every ten American males is sexual abuser, the perception that the Catholic Church is breeding ground for pedophiles is rendered mistaken.
Likewise, still taking on with the John Jay College of Criminal’s proposition that only four per cent (4%) of American priests are actually accused of abuse, our attention is made to focus to the ninety-six per cent (96%) of priests who have not been accused of the same offence and are leading productive lives in the faith community. More direct way of putting this is: if celibacy is the root of abuse, why are not the other ninety-six percent not pedophiles?
Then, why is celibacy being seen as root of pedophilia?
Rev. Martin holds that the most probable reason is that many – even among the ranks of the Catholics – are unfamiliar with it. It is unnatural to voluntarily refrain from sex. Because sex is said to be good for men and women, celibacy then is unhealthy behavior. There are also those who think that observance of celibacy is not possible.
Unfortunately, the end result of all these is demonization of something that many do not really know.
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Post CommentWilbart26
On April 22, 2010 at 4:19 am
OMG! this is crayz, that must be stopped..
diamondpoet
On April 22, 2010 at 10:52 am
Very good article and very informative. thanks for sharing.
karina
On April 22, 2010 at 12:18 pm
pedophilia is wrong, whether committed by a lay person or by priest. you are correct in saying that it is a multi-faceted problem.
the thing is, the way that the catholic church handles the situation is what really bothers most people because instead of recognizing that there is a problem that needs to be addressed, the tendency i suppose of most church leaders, the bishop or the head of the congregation in particular, is to avoid the problem, assign the priest in another part of the diocese, or in another part of the world, hoping that the issue would just die down eventually.
we are talking here of years and years of avoiding the issue by the church leaders, and it is only now that we get to talk about it. not admitting that there is a problem, is the problem.
it is good for the pope to recognize now that there is a problem. but to those victims of abuses, shedding tears and letting those erring priests go unpunished is not the just thing to do. its just like GMA apologizing to the filipino people for cheating, and not stepping down from her position as president. the victims are waiting for justice; they are waiting for something, for the church to do something, and shedding a tear or two will not appease them. the bloody priests just ruined their lives, and all they will get are tears from the pope? is there justice in that?
and this is what makes the whole issue a huge one, i suppose. the church is one of those institutions who are in the forefront of fighting for justice. but when it comes to delivering justice within their own backyard, they could not do it. the church is big about responsibilities, but they are tasked to do something, they could not do it.
i feel for the pope, and to the rest of the clergy who are really trying their best to stay true to their vocation. i too, am a catholic, and would probably remain a catholic for the rest of my life. i hurt for my church. but i also feel for those victims whose lives were ruined by those whom they have trusted. and the secrecy and the way that the church is handling it makes it more painful for them to reclaim their lives.