Australia: Church report suggests celibacy discipline may be factor in clerical abuse
December 12, 2014
The Truth, Justice and Healing Council, which is coordinating the response of the Church in Australia to a government investigation into the sexual abuse of minors, stated in a new report that “obligatory celibacy may also have contributed to abuse in some circumstances.”
The council was established in 2013 by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia.
“Church institutions and their leaders, over many decades, seemed to turn a blind eye, either instinctively or deliberately, to the abuse happening within their diocese or religious order, protecting the institution rather than caring for the child,” the report stated. “Historically, parents were reluctant to believe their children and did not confront Church leaders about allegations of abuse.”
“Obedience and closed environments also seem to have had a role in the prevalence of abuse within some religious orders and dioceses,” the report added. “Another contributor may have been the way in which candidates for the priesthood or religious life were accepted for entry.”
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Further information:
- Catholic Church won't end celibacy vow (Sydney Morning Herald)
- Full text of report (Truth, Justice and Healing Council)
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Dec. 13, 2014 7:27 AM ET USA
Let me suggest the obvious, since married clergy in Protestant denominations are also guilty: original sin is behind the crime and the lack of proper oversight and response.
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Posted by: rfr46 -
Dec. 13, 2014 5:37 AM ET USA
Sorry, bishops, but it is not celibacy that causes the sex abuse, but homosexuality and poor screening of candidates to the priesthood.
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Posted by: skall391825 -
Dec. 12, 2014 9:58 PM ET USA
"I am waiting for the moment when someone in the official circles will state the obvious." Don't hold your breath, feedback. The American bishops still haven't admitted the obvious; nor will they. But the Aussie Council on The Truth, Justice and American wa--I mean Healing-- almost spilled the beans when they said, "the way in which candidates for the priesthood or religious life were accepted for entry ” may be a contributor. Golly, ya think, Mate?
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Posted by: feedback -
Dec. 12, 2014 8:43 AM ET USA
I am waiting for the moment when someone in the official circles will state the obvious. It will be politically incorrect but true.
