On clerical abuse, the mainstream may finally recognize the obvious
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jul 02, 2018
Charles Collins writes for Crux:
If the Church hierarchy continues to turn a blind eye to sexual misconduct involving adults, it will never be able to put an end to the sexual abuse of minors.
Good point. Wonder why nobody thought of it earlier.
Oh, wait. From my book The Faithful Departed, published ten years ago:
The Dallas norms set out disciplinary standards for priests who were involved in any sexual relationship with people, male or female, under the age of eighteen. But the bishops did not discuss, and the norms do not address, sexual misconduct by priests involving partners over the age of consent. When a priest pursues a sexual relationship with a psychologically vulnerable parishioner, he is guilty of abuse, even if that parishioner is an adult. And a priest who engaged in consensual sexual contact with another man is guilty of grave misconduct, even if it is not abusive.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
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