Wow its been over two weeks since I put a post in here. Forgive me. I'm Catholic so I can poke fun at the Father thing. God has a sense of humor. Ask any parent. Okay on to the point. Recently a Catholic priest was arrested in a sting operation. Allegedly the priest inquired about how much sexual favors would be with a 16 year old girl and went to meet her. Seeing that something was not kosher he reportedly turned about face and tried to leave but was arrested anyway. I get it. The fact he went there or was online looking for sex with a young girl is disturbing. I know stupid, stupid, and more stupid. HOWEVER...so much for innocent until proven guilty in this area of the country. The St. Louis Post Dispatch is trying and convicting the guy already. The rules do not seem to apply to Catholic priests. If this was a little league coach or Baptist minister it would be 3rd page news. But its a priest! It makes headlines, bold print, daily coverage of his every move. A reminder of abuses gone by. As a Catholic, this is painful to watch. My thinking is 1) I hope this not true and 2) he's a pedophile who happens to be a priest. He is not the church I know and love. He does not represent us all any more that one female teacher who abuses represents all female teachers. The Diocesan Bishops have done an excellent job of trying to educate people and make ammends to those who have been hurt by priests. Child abusers come in all sizes, shapes and religious dominations. Female teachers who coerce young boys are not treated as badly as Catholic priests. Shockingly, the victims can look like studs and heroes for getting an older woman to have sex with them. Some believe that they are actually falling in love and believe that they will spend their lives with the female offenders.
Those who seek out young kids for sexual favors have a problem and are sent to Sexual Offender treatment. This is not about sex or gratification. Its about power and control and taking power over a person smaller and weaker than you. That explains why a minister does not hire an escort for sex. Its not about sex. Maybe the power and control issues can be treated. We'll see. I tend to believe that the perpetrators walk the line to avoid prison and go through the offender programs but no real treatment is done.
For the priests who are sent into exile, who stay at special residences for offending clergy, I suppose treatment is worth a try. The fear of going to prison should be treatment enough for these people. The compulsion to offend is like a drug transaction in the street. The offender does not think of the consequences. The compulsive behavior is in control. Maybe that can be treated but I am skeptical. In the meantime remember that it happens in all religious dominations, schools, and scout camps. Sex Offenders place themselves in places where there are children ON PURPOSE. That's why they are called predators. They are searching for their next victim. Its sad that clergy are found in that category but they are. Its up to us as parents to tell our children about child abuse and teach them skills to protect themselves.
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You know you are so right. When I use to go to church all those years ago I never would have imagined that the head of all of our churches was one. In Nov. 1991 he was convicted in St. Louis on numerous counts with both boys and girls over the years. And that was even put on the news there in St. Louis I think channel 5 had it on there. And I watched it he even smiled when they said the verdict. My brother Leslie video taped it. And he did this to lots of kids over the years at our different churches. But they are in more than just church. They are all over that is why it is the parents responsibility to know their kids business. And to ask questions even if it does annoy them.
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