Debate Topic: Causes of Clerical Child Abuse
Clerical child abuse is a pervasive issue that has shaken the Church, and the debate on its causes is an important aspect of the academic literature surrounding Catholic sex abuse cases. There are several causes attributed to clerical child abuse, including inadequate seminary training, psychology from previous decades, supply and demand theory, pedophilia and ephebophilia, and gay priests and homosexuality.
Some scholars argue that the promotion of a relativistic perspective on morality, where there is no absolute good or evil, contributed to clerical child abuse. Others argue that seminary training failed to prepare clergies for a lifetime of celibate sexuality, while others assert that the practice of returning pedophile priests to their positions in the clergy was due to the prevailing psychological theories of the time.
Some argue that the shortage of priests in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand caused the Roman Catholic hierarchy to act in such a way as to preserve the number of clergy and ensure that sufficient numbers were available to serve the congregation despite serious allegations that these priests were unfit for duty. Scholars have also suggested the need to further study the differential variables related to ephebophile versus pedophile offenders.
Furthermore, there is an ongoing debate over whether gay priests and homosexuality play a role in clerical child abuse. The Holy See stated that the majority of Catholic clergy who had committed acts of sexual abuse against under 18-year-olds should not be viewed as pedophiles but as homosexuals. This statement has attracted criticism based on an interpretation that the document implies that homosexuality is associated with pedophilia and ephebophilia.
What seems obvious to me is that the Church almost creates it's own problem: it creates an isolated community with it's own rules (and even despises secular society), tells people they are sinners and welcomes those with sinful urges to join - and then, tells these people to tend to children.
A pedophile couldn't find a more obvious invitation: "Are you a sinner? Do you have evil thoughts? Come join the church and find love with Jesus! And help teach the children the love of Jesus. In Jesus's arms you will be forgiven! You will find peace, and you can help mold children in Jesus's image! Come! Come All Ye Faithful!"
Then, they tell these guys they have to be entirely celibate. What a total mindfreak.
Then look at some of the lyrics of Christian songs:
I think the Church has such a messed up view of sexuality. They fear it, yet can't deny that it's important - especially they can't seem to understand that there are very different ideas of what turns people on."Pour My Love On You"
[Verse 1:]
I don't know how to say exactly how I feel
And I can't begin to tell you what your love has meant
I'm lost for words
Is there a way to show the passion in my heart
Can I express how truly great I think you are
My dearest friend
Lord, this is my desire
To pour my love on You
[Chorus:]
Like oil upon your feet
Like wine for you to drink
Like water from my heart
I pour my love on you
If praise is like perfume
I'll lavish mine on you
Till every drop is gone
I'll pour my love on you
[Verse 2:]
Is there a way to show the passion in my heart
Can I express how truly great I think you are
My dearest friend
Lord, this is my desire
To pour my love on you
And that's just the sexual angle. The church has also been instrumental in violence towards children. They seem to advertise for clergy by saying, "Spare the rod, spoil the child! We're you abused and want to abuse children? Come to the Church! God has no problem with you beating the Lord into them. God practices 'tough love' on us, and gives us the authority to do the same! Join the church, beat children into submission, and be rewarded!"
Thoughts?