Why is it you see more and more priests molesting children?

Question

I just read another article about a priest molesting a kid.its more and more common now a days.And a priest is someone who you people trust.(i dont because i do not believe in crap like that) thoughts anyone about this subject?

Answer 1

if you haven't, watch DOUBT, with meryl streep n amy adams.good freaking movie. its about suspicion with a priest molesting a little kid.

Answer 2

Actually, you don't see "more and more" priests molesting children. Most of the reports and arrests involve incidents that happened decades ago.



These molestations took place at a time when it was fairly easy for priests, who were regarded as respected authority figures, to hide their activities. Over time, starting largely in the 1980's, victtims of sexual abuse at the hands of family members, family friends, teachers, and so forth, began to talk about their experiences. Sometimes, it is hard to do that when you are young; you may need to acquire the courage of maturity and experience before you can open up on the subject.



Today, though occasional molestations do still occur, priests know they are talking their freedom into their hands if they touch a child. The Church is also trying to screen out potential offenders, which is something they once did not do.



As for why so many priests turned out to be sexual abusers, there are quite a few theories on that subject but no final or definitive answers. There is some reason to think that the priestly life may have attracted people who had sexual problems and confusions to begin with -- that they thought the Church and the celibacy requirement would save them from themselves. There is also the fact that training for the priesthood once used to begin very early in young boys' lives and that it may have somewhat stunted the sexual development and maturation of youthful candidates. This might eventually have translated into pedophilia and related sexual disorders.



You may be sure this is not a new phenomenon -- it's been going on for centuries and not necessarily merely in the Catholic Church. However, it is something people simply did not talk about until comparatively recently.

Answer 3

Just because you are SEEING it more, doesn't mean it is HAPPENING more.



It used to be that people never talked about (or came forward about) sexual molestation, child abuse, spousal abuse, etc.

Even today, sociologists find it difficult to know just how often men are being physically abused by their wives, since it is so "unmanly" to complain about your wife beating you, and therefore men keep quiet about it.



So, is it that priests are molesting children more often, or that people are now coming forward about it more often?

This is a question you can't answer. And the social science disciplines are very aware of this problem in tracking trends.

Now that you know, you too can use your brain intelligently. There is no excuse for not using your brain, or for sloppy illogical thinking. Things are not always what they appear and all things (especially human and social behavior) are very complex and have multiple factors affecting things.



As for priests molesting ... non-priests molest too. The difference between the two groups is that most non-priest have "approved" avenues for sexual contact (girlfriends, spouses), so they are less likely to go after children.

The problem is not with the priesthood itself, but with some individuals who are priests. In any group of people (cultural groups, religious groups etc) you will find that some individuals give everyone a bad name.



I am not a Catholic. My husband (an ex-Catholic) of 15 years was brought up Catholic and had relatives who were priests and nuns. You know what? Priests and nuns CAN be really good people. And some of them are.

Answer 4

"slow hands" is correct. It IS a hot topic.

Many of these cases are ones that are just now coming out in the open that happened long ago. The percentage of priests that are molesters is roughly the same as the percentage of male heterosexuals (often family member) of other faiths that also molest children, they just do not get the publicity.

Look at Penn State, they covered up a child molester for years. And there is one ex-Jehovah's Witness attorney that says molestation of teenage girls is rampant amongst the JW's and the nature of the cult keeps it from coming out.

There is no excuse for ANY child molestation, but the Catholics are no worse than any other organization. Even the Boy Scouts have been forced to open up their records on many years of cases and cover-ups.

Blessings on your Journey!

Answer 5

I don't know if it's becoming more widespread or just more publicized. Until recently, victims of abuse didn't come out with their stories because there was shame wrongly attached to the victim rather than the perpetrator. Furthermore, it's easier to get news from far away than it was in the past. Not to mention one tactic of an abuser is to threaten his victim with physical violence or further psychological trauma if s/he tells anyone what happened. In some institutions--such as the Catholic Church and the Penn State athletic department--there is a culture of secrecy to protect powerful men and/or a vaunted institution at the expense of children.



So it's probably a combination of things that would explain why more stories are appearing about this.

Answer 6

Do you? Or is it reported more often? Or are you just under the impression that it happens more often? Maybe it's the population of priests rising with the population of humans. Maybe the impression that the church protects them is attractive to pedophiles. Maybe you should do a research paper on it and find out instead of just judging from a single report you read. Or, if you're going to judge in so haphazard a fashion, don't be so outraged when people judge your group with the same standards.

Answer 7

Two reasons



The Catholic church has lost power and influence in the world and peoples lives. For most of their existence they have enjoyed absolute authority over countries and communities. Questioning priests and the pope could lead to death, ex-communication, or banishment from your family and community. This is no longer the case.



Also, the Catholic church has been in the rare position of having men in absolute power, not allowed to be married or release sexual tension, put in charge of children. That is a recipe for disaster and any smart parent would never allow their kids to be alter children. I have a feeling this kind of thing has been going on since the formation of the church in Rome. Also, it was not uncommon in ancient roman and greek times for grown men to have boy apprentices and have inappropriate relations with them. Thats probably how the itch got started in the roman catholic church leadership

Answer 8

It is not more & more priests; but more & more reporters.

They are jumping on the anti-Catholic bandwagon.

Actually, less than 2% of all priests have been accused.

Although there are many victims of each such case.



Nobody counts the teachers & scout leaders who did this.

Nobody blames their organizations for covering up.

Answer 9

First of all, I read about it in the papers, I don't 'see' it. (I know, I know, but still.)



Secondly, if common and regular sexual outlets are denied then the uncommon and irregular seem to arise. Think of the phrase, "something's got to give." Psychology describes this in detail.



Unfortunately, Priests are around children, and children look up to and admire them. Under the circumstances I posit above, disaster will ensue.

Answer 10

We don't. Interesting that you "just read another article" but you haven't posted a link.



Yeah, Southern Baptist, you keep thinking that way. The Church thought that way and so did Penn State. That kind of thinking allows pedophilia to flourish.

Answer 11

If you believe that child molestation is a priest problem you need to study the issue beyond your bigotry. Just the Facts.

Answer 12

It has always been going on quite a lot, but now, with the power of the church so low and people being more free to speak, there are more people coming forward. But it has always been rampant.

Answer 13

I don't think it's happening more per say, I think that now that the media and general populace is aware of it, we're more likely to spot it and it makes bigger news.

Answer 14

Because:



I Timothy 4:1-3 - "In the latter days some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."

Answer 15

im from Croatia, and there people actually go to church and priests actually care about God. Here, religion is not taken seriously. hate to know where your going when you die!

Answer 16

Because people believe & trust in their Priests, Pastor's & Bishop's other than GOD!

Answer 17

No idea, but I can say people with a form of power always try to manipulate the others.

Answer 18

you dont 'see' anything. you read about it. and you are reading more about it cause its a hot topic now. its not happening 'more' than it used to.



you read about it because people are getting caught now. it hasnt just become the 'thing to do' recently. wake up.

Answer 19

Since the church backs them up they can do anything they want.

Answer 20

Because even a PRIEST can tell that it's easier to molest a little kid than an adult.

Answer 21

Because only homosexuals avoid real manly work, where else are they going to meet children other than daycare centers.

Answer 22

not really it is rare and media concentrates on whatever sells.

Answer 23

I AM a Southern Baptist and we don't play that shyt. It is a horrible thing that runs rampant in Catholic churchs. I AM

Answer 24

They are like the Pharisees of the Bible. Read about them.

Answer 25

Because the religion is spreading?

Answer 26

wolves in sheepsclothing.

Answer 27

Because mainstream christianity is bs.