‘They knew priests were doing unspeakable things to kids. They chose to ignore it.’

  Quote: "Bishop Holohan said the Church like other authorities lacked insight in earlier times in the effect of sex abuse on victims, and the psychology of offenders. Mistakes then were because of that lack of insight." -- R.C. Bishop of Bunbury Gerard Holohan, in article "A hurt and betrayal felt by all Catholics," The Record, Perth Catholic newspaper, September 5 2002, p 2.
  RESPONSE -- Since 1967 or earlier the RCs were warned: The excuse that the bishops and superiors of religious orders lacked expert knowledge is strongly contested by priests and others who have counselled, warned, and later condemned the United States Catholic bishops for allowing the evil to flourish, and transferring criminal priests and brothers. The warnings spread world-wide.
  "The first [U.S.] public discussion of priest sexual abuse of minors was at a meeting sponsored by the National Association for Pastoral Renewal held ... [U.S.] Notre Dame University in 1967. All American Catholic bishops were invited to that meeting." -- A. W. Richard Sipe, psychotherapist (member Benedictine order 1953-70), in the Sipe Report, paragraph 22, www.thelinkup.com/sipe.html
  "In 1971, psychiatrist Conrad Baars travelled to the Vatican, where he presented the first of two studies about the US priesthood to the Synod of Bishops, an assembly of bishops from around the world. ... According to his report, The Role of the Church in the Causation, Treatment, and Prevention of the Crisis of the Priesthood, these priests often exhibited a 'psychosexual immaturity expressed in hetero- or homosexual activity,' as well as in 'masturbation, sexual impotence or frigidity ... or sexual exploits.' " Refer Kristen Lombardi, October 4 - 11 2001, The Phoenix, Boston, www.bostonphoenix.com
  Because of the 1985 court appearances and publicity about the dozens of boys molested by Fr Gilbert Gauthe in Louisiana, a confidential report warning of the dangers to Catholicism was sent to every U.S. Catholic bishop in 1985 and discussed at their national conference. The authors were solicitor F.R.Mouton, Father T.P.Doyle, and Father M.Peterson. Refer Barry Coldrey, Religious Life Without Integrity, (2001, P & B Press, PO Box 81, Como, WA, 6952, pbpress@iinet.net.au) pp 2-3.
  Conclusion of "Failure to Act" -- bishops knew the psychology, and for centuries knew it was a moral crime: Sylvia Demerest, a lawyer for three victims of Fr. Rudolph Kos, said that because of the various reports and warnings they were given, the U.S. bishops probably knew "more about the psychological profile of a serial child molester" than similar authorities and even the schools.
  Still, thousands of children were repeatedly placed in harm's way. "This has been a consistent problem

within the Church," Demerest says. And yet, unconscionably, Church leaders continue to claim that they did not have enough knowledge to protect young parishioners. "These people knew they were sitting on a powder keg," says Demerest. "They knew priests were doing unspeakable things to kids. They chose to ignore it."
  In the end, it might not really matter what the Church knew or didn't know about sexual misconduct among clergy in 1970 or 1980 or 1990. For centuries, it understood one crucial piece of information: such conduct is a moral crime. As canon lawyer Father Tom Doyle says, "We may not have known how the sexual disorder develops, or how to care for our priests. But we knew about the harm. We knew priests were running loose on our kids."
  -- See Kristen Lombardi, "Failure to Act," part 3, The Phoenix, Boston, October 4 - 11, 2001
www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/top/ features/documents/01847613.htm
  The Church claims it is unfailingly holy and under Divine guidance, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
  823: The Church ... is held, as a matter of faith, to be unfailingly holy. (p 218)
  827: " ... The Church, however, clasping sinners to her bosom, at once holy and always in need of purification, follows constantly the path of penance and renewal." (p 219)
  883: "The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head." (p 234)
  892: Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with the successors of Peter, ... (p 236)
  The claimed effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders
  1581: This sacrament configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit ... By ordination one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king. (p 395)
  1586: For the bishop, this is first of all a grace of strength ("the governing spirit": Prayer of Episcopal Consecration in the Latin rite): the grace to guide and defend his Church with strength and prudence as a father and pastor, with gratuitous love for all and a preferential love for the poor, the sick, and the needy. (p 396)
  -- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1995, Pocket edition, St Paul's, Homebush (NSW)
Anglican Bunbury Bishop David McCall admitted his Church had been wrong with the "forgive and forget" policy, see "Priest checks," The West Australian, Jun 27 02, p 1. (Written ~ Sep 14, 2002)