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Pedophiles Infest Catholic Dioceses

Pedophiles Infest Catholic Dioceses

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Pedophilia is a longstanding issue suppressed by the Vatican, most often failing to hold culpable priests accountable - predators, not preachers of the faith.

Instead of dealing with these child offenders responsibly, they're usually transferred to other dioceses when their abuses are discovered - letting them prey on other defenseless children elsewhere, protecting them from defrocking and criminal prosecution.

The legal dictionary calls pedophilia "an obsession with children as sex objects. Overt acts, including taking sexual explicit photographs, molesting children, and exposing one's genitalia to children are all crimes." 

"The problem with these crimes is that pedophilia is also treated as a mental illness, and the pedophile is often released only to repeat the crimes or escalate the activity to the level of murder."

According to Psychology Today: "Pedophilia is considered a paraphilia, a condition in which a person's sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme." 

"Pedophilia is defined as the fantasy or act of sexual activity with children who are generally age 13 years or younger." 

"Pedophiles are usually men and can be attracted to either or both sexes. How well they relate to adults of the opposite sex varies."

"The prevalence of pedophilic disorder is unknown, but the highest possible prevalence in the male population is approximately three to five percent." 

"The prevalence in the female population is thought to be a small fraction of the prevalence in males." 

"An estimated 20 percent of American children have been sexually molested, making pedophilia a common paraphilia." 

"Offenders are usually family friends or relatives. Types of activities vary and may include just looking at a child or undressing and touching a child." 

"However, acts often do involve oral sex or touching of genitals of the child or offender. Studies suggest that children who feel uncared for or lonely may be at higher risk for sexual abuse."

Pedophilia is a major issue in US Catholic dioceses. An earlier John Jay College of Criminal Justice (JJCCJ) report discovered under-age 18 molestation by priests occurs in over 95% of dioceses and about 60% of religious communities in America.

Given reluctance of victims to come forward, it's virtually certain that instances of abuse are far more widespread than what's publicly known.

It's a global issue, especially in nations and communities with Catholic populations, coverup commonplace, ignoring the harm predatory priests inflict on young children, mostly boys.

A two-year investigation found rampant pedophilia abuses by Catholic priests in 67 Pennsylvania counties.

For decades, over 300 priests harmed more than 1,000 young children - affected families silenced by payoffs and "the weaponization of faith."

A detailed report said "(o)ver 1,000 child victims were identif(ed) from (church) records. We believe that the real number (of harmed children) is in the thousands."

Predator priests may be multiples greater than ones identified. Abuses the report discussed are extremely graphic.

Because of longstanding church hierarchy coverup, "almost every abuse we found is too old to be prosecuted," according to the report presented to a Pennsylvania grand jury.

Based on past history, it's clear that widespread abuses continue in US dioceses nationwide and abroad in nations with Catholic populations.

The report said "(w)e are going to name (culpable priests) and describe what they did - both the sex offenders and those who concealed them."

"We are going to shine a light on their conduct because this is what the victims deserve…We hereby exercise our…right as grand jurors to inform the public of the findings."

Predator priests include bishops. Abused children were as young as age-seven. Father Edward Graff was accused of "rap(ing) scores of children."

Evidence of what went on for decades was gotten from diocese records and victims willing to go public - adults explaining how priests preyed on them long ago.

Pope Francis and his predecessors are guilty of coverup. In May 2017, Francis absolved 2,000 pedophile priests.

Claiming the church is "on the right path" addressing the issue was code language for coverup and refusal to hold culpable priests accountable.

In June 2017, Francis scrapped a proposed tribunal to prosecute bishops responsible for suppressing the crimes of pedophile priests.

He issued a weak-kneed statement, saying bishops "must undertake a particular diligence in protecting those who are the weakest among their flock" - avoiding the issue, failing to act responsibly.

Instead of holding pedophile priests accountable for their abuses, the Holy See most often sweeps them under the rug.

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