Catholic World News

German archbishop: No relation between clerical abuse and homosexuality

March 01, 2010

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Denying a link between the clerical abuse of minors-- predominantly male-- and homosexuality, the president of the German bishops’ conference rejected a proposal by the nation’s justice minister for a roundtable meeting. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg also said that there was no link between clerical celibacy and the abuse of children.

“Sexual abuse of children is not a problem specific the Catholic Church,” he said. “Therefore, we do not need a round table specifically for the Catholic Church.”

“Most of these cases are from 25 or 30 years ago,” he added. “At that time people believed that if the perpetrators admitted their injustices, they wouldn't do it anymore. It was naive to believe that.”

“Child abuse is one of the most terrible crimes and has to be investigated,” commented German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “I have the impression the Catholic Church has realized this.”

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Posted by: bernie4871 - Mar. 02, 2010 12:41 PM ET USA
Oh, for Heaven sake cut it out. We are not dealing with clerics and celibacy, it is clerics an homosexuality. At they ought to state the problem correctly. Merkle says hosexuality and the Bishop dodges off the topic with an attempt to talk about celibacy. Makes one draw a reasonable conclusion.
Posted by: - Mar. 01, 2010 10:31 PM ET USA
This simply flies in the face of the facts.
Posted by: Bernadette - Mar. 01, 2010 7:09 PM ET USA
I have noticed from articles over the past 2-3 years that the German episcopate is tragically offbase. They, for the most part, do not properly catechize their people with regard to Church teaching on moral and ethical issues and seem to be blind about the reasons behind the decline in Church attendance and practice of the Faith. They often seem to dissent from Church teachings and disregard directives/instructions from the Vatican. They also give in to protests from priests and laity alike.
Posted by: Mack - Mar. 01, 2010 12:48 PM ET USA
He's wrong. They have done great harm. It's no coincidence that 80% of the victims are male. Homosexuals should not be ordained. Ever.
Posted by: skladach - Mar. 01, 2010 12:34 PM ET USA
Bishop Andreas Laun (Auxiliary of Vienna) wrote in his column this week that what is needed is not less Catholic morality but more. "You don't shut down the fire house because one fireman set a fire."
Posted by: adamah - Mar. 01, 2010 9:32 AM ET USA
Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.