The sexual abuse by clergy of the young is related to a disease.
The bishops’ complicity is related to a systemic evil.
One treats a disease.
One expunges systemic evil.
Some years ago I presented two incidents of clergy sexual abuse by an individual priest to episcopal authorities only to find the priest in question was then promoted and then transferred several times before eventually being very quietly removed from active ministry–for precisely the issues I had raised some years before.
Over the past 15 years I have on several occasions presented this matter to the highest of ecclesiastical authorities.
Nothing ever happened.
Once the papal nuncio acknowledged my letter with gratitude, assuring me all that I shared had been “carefully noted.” Then the hierarch in question was transferred to higher responsibility. What is one to think?
A small percentage of priests involved in sexual abuse have had to leave active ministry, but the bishops complicit in these behaviors by the transfers of these priests remain in office.
Why?
Is there a double standard for bishops and for priests?
Unless and until the bishops who are complicit leave office as the priests must do, the respect and trust due the body of bishops will be sadly in short and severely strained supply.
