A Penitent Blogger
More bad news in the family
Ironically, on the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, more news came out about priests who sinned against children and religious leaders who moved those priests without taking appropriate action to protect children.
Then again, perhaps it is appropriate for that news to start coming out on that day: reminding us (painfully well) of the need to pray for all priests.
Most of this weekend's stories focused on Religious Orders, many of which had not yet made dramatic policy changes as had the U.S. Diocesan bishops.
Those Orders with incorrect policies or knowledge of children at risk should take appropriate action immediately. Also, Dioceses should double-check their procedures for verifying the backgrounds of priests from other countries (the Bishops' conference can coordinate the resources necessary to overcome logistical and other challenges).
Why did these Orders do what they did? Many of the reasons will probably be familiar: misunderstandings (in the Church and in society) about serial pedophilia in particular and the limitations of rehabilitation in general, a natural focus on sin and forgiveness rather than crime and incarceration, etc.
But there's more to it than that.
Some people's moral sensibilities get confused when it comes to family members. I remember hearing a national talk show host denounce a man who had turned in his brother (the Unabomber) to the F.B.I. You don't rat on your family, was the idea.
That reprehensible perspective may have been shared by some religious superiors, for Religious Orders are very much like families, with solemn obligations to care for every member. People in many fields of human life also tend to "look out for their own:" some police cover for police, some journalists overlook the sins of fellow journalists, etc.
People can care for "their own" but not at the expense of truth or of the innocent. Due process must be followed, children protected, and (ultimately) the Church strengthened, by our efforts and God's grace.
Oremus pro invicem.
Then again, perhaps it is appropriate for that news to start coming out on that day: reminding us (painfully well) of the need to pray for all priests.
Most of this weekend's stories focused on Religious Orders, many of which had not yet made dramatic policy changes as had the U.S. Diocesan bishops.
Those Orders with incorrect policies or knowledge of children at risk should take appropriate action immediately. Also, Dioceses should double-check their procedures for verifying the backgrounds of priests from other countries (the Bishops' conference can coordinate the resources necessary to overcome logistical and other challenges).
Why did these Orders do what they did? Many of the reasons will probably be familiar: misunderstandings (in the Church and in society) about serial pedophilia in particular and the limitations of rehabilitation in general, a natural focus on sin and forgiveness rather than crime and incarceration, etc.
But there's more to it than that.
Some people's moral sensibilities get confused when it comes to family members. I remember hearing a national talk show host denounce a man who had turned in his brother (the Unabomber) to the F.B.I. You don't rat on your family, was the idea.
That reprehensible perspective may have been shared by some religious superiors, for Religious Orders are very much like families, with solemn obligations to care for every member. People in many fields of human life also tend to "look out for their own:" some police cover for police, some journalists overlook the sins of fellow journalists, etc.
People can care for "their own" but not at the expense of truth or of the innocent. Due process must be followed, children protected, and (ultimately) the Church strengthened, by our efforts and God's grace.
Oremus pro invicem.
posted by Penitens | 6:52 PM
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