The world owes an enormous debt to Pope Benedict XVI. Both before and since he became pope, he has done more than anyone else to deal effectively with priestly sexual abuse. Yet he is mercilessly smeared in the media with half-truths, distortions and falsehoods.
What should he do?
For years, many bishops dealt ineffectively with priests who molested children and adolescents. Many bishops acted in good faith, on advice that said these men could be cured and trusted. At that time, the consensus in the psychology community was that this was how they should be treated.
But their actions were insufficient, and scandal occurred in fits and starts in the 1980s and 1990s before mushrooming in the U.S. in 2002.
America is a trendsetter. It’s innovative, efficient and big. So when American lawyers and media hammered out a mutually profitable model for going after priestly sex offenders, you could bet the model would be used in other countries. Eventually, inevitably, and in just a few years, the priestly sex scandal would go global.
That’s what we’re witnessing now.
And it leads to the first thing Pope Benedict should do.
So far, the Holy See has dealt with the scandal on a country-by-country basis, approving national norms and pastoral plans where it appeared. These actions were needed, but the globalization of the scandal means that the Holy See needs to get out in front of the problem globally. In other words: It needs to put strict norms in place for the entire Church, not just particular nations. What those norms should be will require thought, but the American ones are a good place to start.
Good News
Some press accounts indicate that the Holy See is planning to release tough, new global norms this fall or sooner. This is unconfirmed, but the Vatican has said that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) is revising the current rules. That was in a document the Holy See put on its website to serve as a layman’s guide to how the CDF handles abuse cases.
If strict, new global norms are issued, it will be a positive step toward handling future allegations of abuse. But it will not address the handling of previous allegations, which is the core of the current firestorm.
Catholic journalist John Allen has perceptively written that America has a “microwave” culture, whereas Rome has a “crock-pot” culture. In America we want everything done yesterday. In Rome, they want to take their time — be cautious and thoughtful, not act hastily. It’s a substantial culture gap. And it’s why we’re now reading decades-old letters and memos from Rome that say, in effect, “This is going to take more time,” “Don’t act too quickly,” “We’ve got to observe due process,” “Is there another, less drastic solution?”
American media just doesn’t get that.
In its rush to judgment, the media has missed or misreported important facts. First, while Vatican culture and American expectations aren’t in-line with each other, there has already been substantial change. The CDF has become vastly more efficient in processing these cases, thanks to the efforts of then-Cardinal Ratzinger.
Second, the seeming slowness of the past was not that different from what you see in civil courts. When the state prosecutes a pedophile, it can take a long time for the case to work its way through the courts.
Third, in the cases the media is currently discussing, actions had already been taken to keep the priests away from children. If you really care about children being put at risk, that is the important issue — not the significant but significantly symbolic act of “defrocking” a priest already pulled from regular ministry.
The fact the media has missed these facts suggests another thing Pope Benedict should do: Get the message out.
Posting the layman’s guide on the Vatican website was a good step in the right direction. The Holy See needs to establish message control for Vatican officials who need to do more than shift blame to the media. They need to tell the story of what happened from the Vatican perspective, and that means offering transparency. We’ve seen some of that, but more needs to be done.
The Holy See also could use advice from a seasoned media expert to establish a set of talking points so that Vatican officials don’t get off-message (where unfortunate gaffes have occurred).
Benedict Speaks
Ultimately, Pope Benedict needs to address the subject of priestly abuse directly. Until he personally addresses the topic, the media will be able to craft a narrative of papal “silence.”
The Pope spoke very frankly in his pastoral letter to Ireland, but this dealt only with Ireland. He needs to speak globally, addressing the history of the problem, including the Holy See’s perception and handling of it. In other words: He should undertake what John Paul II called a “purification of memory” — a frank look at the past so we can move beyond it.
This may require some courage, but Pope Benedict clearly has that in abundance.
It is clear, even at a distance, that the Church has changed its handling of this issue — and for the better. Bishops have a better understanding of the consequences of allowing abusive priests to remain in ministry, and the scope of the problem is better understood now that the CDF serves as a central office collecting abuse reports for the entire world.
And there has been a trajectory in papal statements, from condemning the actions of abusive priests to progressively more forceful condemnations of bishops who mishandled abusers. In his letter to the Irish, Pope Benedict was blistering both toward abusive priests and bishops who made mistakes. He also offered something unique.
To the victims of abuse, he wrote, “You have suffered grievously, and I am truly sorry.” This is the first time a pope has apologized for the scandal in his own name. But it was an apology addressed to victims in Ireland, not the whole world. Pope Benedict should go global with this as well.
Words Work
I hope the Holy Father will say something like, “In recent years, we in Rome have grown in our understanding of the scope of this problem and the means that are needed to combat it. I deeply regret that we did not arrive at this point sooner, and for that I offer my profound apologies to all who have been in any way affected.”
The Holy See is very aware he needs to phrase himself carefully, not just for pastoral reasons but also legal reasons. He has to avoid opening the Holy See up to prosecution in civil courts the world over. (This may be why we haven’t heard such an apology already.)
Undertaking this purification of memory will enable people of good will to say, “Okay. They ‘get’ it. They’ve taken responsibility for their actions and aren’t just making excuses.”
This will not satisfy people of ill will, but it will at least provide an answer to the charge that the Vatican is just trying to evade responsibility.
There are other things Pope Benedict could do: Meet with victims, call a special synod of bishops, have each diocese review its records regarding every living priest.
Ultimately, Christ’s Church — and Christ’s vicar — have nothing to fear from this kind of examination of the Church’s conscience.
Let us all keep Pope Benedict, and everyone in any way affected by this scandal, in our heartfelt prayers.
Jimmy Akin, senior apologist at Catholic Answers, blogs at NCRegister.com.
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I do not wish any one to suffer. but the truth is the Holy see knew about this a far back as 1962. this is confirmed via a comment by Cardinal Pell In Australia in March 2010. In 1961, John Smith a pupil at Parade Prep College Flowerdale, then aged about 12 killed himself as a consequence of being buggered by Christian Brother Br Parker. [revealed by Br Mc Carthy in 2000 at a reunion.I was there at that same school in 1961.
Only Today April 20 2010, did I find out that the Holy See knew about pedophiles back in 1962. this came about from the comments below;“It is frequently claimed that this 2001 instruction required the bishops to treat these allegations with total secrecy and not inform the police under penalty of excommunication. This claim was repeated in The Australian on 18 March by Christopher Hitchens.”
Referring to that 2001 instruction, Hitchens wrote: “The accusations, intoned Ratzinger, were only treatable within the church’s own exclusive jurisdiction. Any sharing of the evidence with legal authorities or the press was utterly forbidden. Charges were to be investigated ‘in the most secretive way restrained by a perpetual silence and everyone is to observe the strictest secret which is commonly regarded as a secret of the Holy Office under the penalty of excommunication’”.
However Cardinal Pell said:“The letter Cardinal Ratzinger issued in 2001 made no reference to excommunication.
The words Hitchens quotes are taken from an earlier letter from the Holy See on this matter, issued in 1962, which was superceded by the 2001 document.
YOU MUST READ THIS ARTICLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER IS PRO CATHOLIC IN SPADES.
THE POPE ? HE SHOULD REMOVE BERNIE LAW FROM HIS CUSHY JOB, THEN DEFROCK HIM ALONG WITH MAHONY, EGAN, AND ALL THE OTHER ENABLING CARDINALS, BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND THEN RESIGN. OTHER THAN THOSE ACTIONS BEING TAKEN, HOW CAN ANYONE BELIEVE THAT HE IS SINCERE ? BERNIE LAW GOES A LONG WAY IN EXPLAINING WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE RANKS OF ENABLERS——
YOU PROTECT THE REPUTATION OF OUR CHURCH AND WE WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU, NO MATTER WHAT.
Just consider the source of this article…a journal owned by the Legion of Christ. Enough said. Yes, the Bernard Law case stinks, Lionel. It is peanuts compared to the fraud perpetrated by Fr Maciel. This article is an insult to victims and the whole Catholic community; so is the accompanying editorlal. Why is anyone listening to anything that anyone connected to the Legion is saying? The Legion should be disbanded, sell the Register and return it to being the respectable journal it once was. Take the 30 billion dollares in assets and provide therapy to Legion and Regnum Christi members suffering the trauma of belonging to a totally discredited congregation. Take the money left over and give it to the poor, whom Maciel assiduously avoided throughout his long and bogus ministry.
Lionel, it’s a bit ironic that you warn readers about the Register being “pro-Catholic in spades” and then go on to post a comment which reveals, quite clearly, your own lack of objectivity here. In his time as Pope, Benedict has acted decisively to see that priests who abuse are reported and taken out of active ministry.
Lorenzo, on the subject of Maciel, if you know the facts, then you know that Cardinal Ratzinger pushed heavily for Maciel to be taken out of ministry—at a time when seemingly few others in the Church wanted to face the facts about Maciel. Benedict is the *last* one in the Church who needs to resign.
CR is owned by the LoC? That’s news to me! But it’s is interesting that 3 negative posts when up here. Now why did the monitor (a priest maybe) let that happen? In a word: catharsis. It always feels good to get flushed out after all it emulates healing - especially when mingled with tears (note the Holy Father’s recent meeting in Malta with sexual abuse survivors). However, flushing out the pus will do no good if the cause of infection is not attended to. From what I’ve read Pope Benedict and his advisors are doing the Italian thing: hoping to ride this out. I hope for real apologies; real action, but under this pope I don’t really expect much to happen of real substance unless he keeps getting pressured and pushed by the survivors ever coming out and demanding healing, justice and the protection of all of the vulnerable (and not just the kids).
So, here’ s a cathartic moment for me (for posting). . . but I’m not just looking for a good flushing out either, am I?
If Ratzie resigns, then what? He’ll be replaced by yet another corrupt corporate flunkie who’s only mission is to perpetuate their cushy lifestyle. The only recourse is to stop the gravy train. Give your money to REAL charities, those that help the needy. Not keeping Bernie Law and his partners in crime in regal splendor is one of best things anyone can do in their life.
Why doesn’t he just turn himself in to the local law enforcement officials so he could be put in jail for at least aiding and abetting. Then again, what do you expect from a former Nazi?
It’s most revealing to me that the very same people that are now claiming that Ratzinger is and was too lax, were naming him “the Rottweiler of the Church” just five years ago for being too strict. Believe me: the very same of them. Don’t expect a nice or fair dealing with anything that refers to the pope of the Catholic Church. It comes with the job. There are biases that go very deep indeed.
This is one of the dumbest articles I’ve ever read. Since when will the Holy See, a sovereign state, ever be put in the dock by another sovereign state? Could Akin at least do some minimal research before he publishes his little ditties?
And enough with the lay huffing and puffing. If Akin wants to examine all living priests, then add all the lay man and women involved in work in the Church. Sexual abuse is not confined only to the clergy.
The Holy See is an organization of people and is not the same as the Vatican City State. The Holy See is not above the law, and is subject to the laws and jurisdiction of any state, just like any other person. If he aided and abetted pedophiles (which it appears he has done), he certainly can be put on trial in those respective countries.
Ratzinger has done the world a great service - he has made it clear to the world just how irredeemably evil, pernicious and deceitful the Catholic church hierarchy is.
If Ratzinger were actually serious about dealing with pedophilia, he would turn all reported pedophiles in to the local police, and then turn into the police every clergyman who knowingly helped to protect them. Maybe we’d even see him again, in 15 to 20 with good behaviour.
The church is not going to change. The Pope is not going to resign. The evil, enabled by 1700 years of brainwashing, will continue. This article is another product from the spin doctors who are paid a handsome sum to try to salvage the damage from a proplem created by the church itself. Remember, only sexual predators protect other sexual predators. When the sheeple in the pews choose to open their minds in order to see and hear, the church might change to reflect truth and justice. In the interim, consider not donating to the terror fund.
I first have to say that this writer needs a reality check. If you call letting cases languish over years before any action is made, while hundreds and hundreds of other abuse cases are swirling around effective, well , I wouldn’t want this writer to be any part of my working staff. Fact is Benedict Stuffed Cases during the Maciel accusations in the late 90’s, his response was mixed with other cases but he was clearly John Paul II’s company man, and John Paul’s handling along with Pope Paul’s left a lot to be desired. Secret Trials?? What justice ever gets done in Secret?
Enough of the Propoganda from the Church while they then say I’m Sorry.
Stop playing us all for fools.
brad
Don’t you think it’s time for action instead of words?
“There is no place in he priesthood and religious life for those who would harm the young.”
Pope John Paul II
April, 2002
“…it is important to establish the truth of what happened in the past, to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure the principles of justice are fully respected and, above all, to bring healing to the victims and to all those affected by these egregious crimes.”
Pope Benedict XVI
October 28, 2006
WOW! It is hard to believe that there are so many anti-ctholics or so called “Catholics” who read the NCR and so have posted their comments. Please don’t clutter up the internet with your uninformed rantings.Benedict will also be called “The Great” when he is no longer with us here on earth.
Don’t give me that Anti Catholic Nonsense GNLCDEGAGNE. What Bull.
I suppose the South American Indian Tribes were Anti Catholic for having some problems with the Conquistadors. Don’t even dare make yourselves out to be the wronged party or wronged ones. What Trickery. When you and yours are lied to , molested, despised for opening up your mouth, bullied into silence, disrupted education, apologies made and then repeat patterns, working aggressively against justice and willfully avoiding taking responsibility until forced…. and then Victims are the Ones who are wrong? No we are not Anti Catholic,,,the Church is ANTI constituency, health and people. i.e. Anti Social in the way it exercises power.
On the contrary. Without the Church’s championing of morality and creating the basis for the cultural climate of the West, what would keep you from championing the very things you have been condemning? No- justice, as well as striving for the truth is a process that the Church has had to take up against great odds. Condemn those odds if you must.
(I’m clearly biased as I am totally aginast ranting. Sorry about that.)
A.J
SAYING WHAT ONE IS AGAINST, AND WHEN IT IS NOT IN YOUR INTEREST…DOING THE OPPOSITE HELPS NO ONE. DELIBERATE INCONSISTENCY IS SELF DEFEATING.
NO ONE IS FAULTING THE CHURCH FOR GOING UP AGAINST ROMAN EMPIRE ESQUE REGIMES AND MORALS… WHAT MANY, MANY, MANY ARE OPPOSED TO IS THE CHURCH TAKING UP THOSE PATTERNS AND STIFLING THE RIGHT. AGAINST RANT? I SUPPOSE YOU SUPPORT STIFLING OF REASON AND SPIN. FORKED TONGUES ARE NOT A GOSPEL VALUE AND NEVER WILL BE.
Posted typed in ALL CAPS should be removed. Period.
Many accuse the Church and the Pope for the sexual abuse. There may be human failure in some cases. But what is required to be seen is whether the Church teaches that all these abuses are good and not immoral The Catholic Church is the only organisation that proclaim to the whole world that premarital sex, abortion, adultery, infidelity, divorce should be avoided Let us not crucify the innocent
I would suggest to Ashwin to get over your intellectual gibberish and read the Attorney Generals Report in L.A. ..Long Island (which Guiliani dismisses), Boston and Chicago. The FACTS speak for themselves. Of course it is human failure, it wasn’t Pelicans running the Church. It was humans claiming Divine Right to Rule. That’s the rub. It does not matter what you say or teach…IT"S WHAT YOU DO. Go back to square one and the lessons of the Gospels. Good Samaritan, Rich Man and Lazarus, Healing of the Blind Man, etc etc etc…none of those attitudes and examples were followed. What we got was a playbook that could have been written by a British Monarch.
I would like to find out who is innocent. Their were too many mouths shut and eyes averted. In fact Ashwin, we could of used your voice of abhorrence 40- years ago. This rationalization does not wash. The Hierarchy wants all the power and say…we’ll they have it and they own it.
I am not to argue with Brad who is strong to defeat god. As long as human being exists sin and poverty will exist The communists wanted to wipe away inequality and poverty But could they do ? The Catholic Church teaches that we should obey God’s commandments, Jesus should be our model. But we have many people who reject God’s commandments, who reject Jesus. That is why the abuses will prevail That is why the failure and misgovernance of authorities exist Instaed of accusations and cry for execution . we should study problems, analyse the situation and decide a course to minimise wrongs If Brad’s brother or father commits a mistake will first punishment be meted out ? Let it be understood that many of the mistakes may not be intentional So many contributing factors work.
Nonsense Ashwin and it’s this kind of warped reasoning that soft soaps what is really going on. You want to use the old Human Being Excuse, Well these Human Being Religous Authorities say they are Divinely chosen to lead and should have all the say and governance. Well, they had it and shut everyone else out and bam…you have now a WorldWide RC Governmental Corruption problem. You don’t sit back and resign yourself to allowing abuse to prevail. Jesus also talked about blessed are those who seek righteousness and Justice as well. If the Church wants to act selfish and be out for itself over its people, I don’t have to sit by and follow along for fear of being accused of being against GOD. By their Fruits you shall know them and their was very little God taking place these past 50+ years when it came to developing Roman Catholic Human Beings. The level of callousness still is unacceptable. Jesus is my model. He took a whip out. We have studied this problem since the 70’s ..it’s now time to act to improve instead of impotent pondering about what to do . It’s very obvious, don’t have sex with children and form sexually healthy and moral believers. You need to read the Attorney Generals report, there was a lot of intentional cover up and secrecy going on. A lot of it.
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