I read with great interest Julia Keller’s interview with Thomas Cahill, which addressed the issue of a “psychological sickness at the heart of the American Catholic priesthood.”
Not having grown up in the 1940s, I will have to assume that priests like the Bing Crosby character in “Going My Way” actually did exist. Even today, there are numerous members of the clergy who serve selflessly for the greater good and do not prey upon the innocent.
But I also wonder if the prevalent reason for the increase in the accusations of child abuse against Catholic priests (and others) has its roots in Cahill’s comment that today, people do talk more openly about sex.
We are now listening more actively to our children and encouraging them to report instances of inappropriate comments and contact by adults.
I don’t think that the sexual abuse of children (by the clergy or by anyone in a position of trust) is a newer phenomenon. In the past, society refused to take those accusations seriously and discouraged the victims from coming forward.
Also I agree with Cahill that the Roman Catholic Church’s position on celibacy of the clergy should change. I believe that the biggest reason for the institution of celibacy was to ensure that the priest would not accumulate wealth and pass it outside of the church to his heirs.
