A few years back I had the distinct displeasure to discover an employee of the institution I worked at was viewing and collecting child porn on his work computer. This began a gut wrenching experience, culminating in my testifying at his trial and his being convicted. Being naive in these matters, and being shocked to my core by what I saw on his computer, I did what is my nature, I educated myself on a topic I would have preferred to be blissfully ignorant of. What I discovered rocked my world. I have the utmost respect for the Catholic Church, having worked in a Catholic school, and being aware of the charitable impulses they nurture around the world. But, as I learned how complete the involvement of the upper hierarchy of the church was in protecting scoundrels at the expense of innocent victims I began to view the operation as suspect. Recently I shared an evening with two of the most well read, compassionate people I know. Somehow the topic of pedophile priests came up (I believe another case had been in that day's papers) and they both expressed skepticism at the depth of the problem, suggesting the media was turning it into something greater than what it is. I was surprised at this response and told them I would provide them with information that might disabuse them of their skepticism.
I don't like having to present this sort of information, it is painful. What I like even less is the pervasiveness of the crime of criminal sexual abuse of innocent children. To not acknowledge this horror is risk passively allowing it to continue.
NY Times articles on criminal sexual abuse and coverups
The effects of child abuse on victims
Boston Globe website on abuse in the Church
History of secrecy and coverup in Boston Diocese
Secret files recount decades of child abuse in Los Angeles diocese
Belgian pedophile priest scandal
Cardinal George faulted in abuse case
Justice Ann Burke's experience with Bishops council
Ann Burke: Can the bishops ever be trusted?
Supreme Court Judge Lambastes Cardinal George
Germany's pedophile priest scandal
A Short History of Church Sexual Scandals
American Journalism Review article on scandal
Netherlands pedophile priest scandal
Unspeakable Damage: The Effects of Clergy Sexual Abuse
A Global Catastrophe
Hundreds of Irish abuse incidents covered up
BBC: Clergy Sex Scandal around world
Kansas City Bishop charged with covering up abuse
Philadelphia suspends 21 active priests suspect of criminal sexual abuse
Abuse in Chile
Canadian Catholic order pays millions in abuse suit
Pacific Northwest Catholic order pays $166 million in abuse against native Americans settlement
Minnesota diocese settles abuse claims
Missouri diocese covers up allegations
Molestation since 1940s in Southwest
Bishops fail to comply with own protocols
San Diego diocese file for bankruptcy to limit abuse payouts
Wisconsin diocese abuse payout
Orange County diocese pays $100 million for abuse settlement
San Francisco diocese pays $68 million in abuse settlements
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Female victims of priest abuse
Roman Catholic priest abuse by country
The effects of abuse never leave child
Betrayal of Trust: Clergy Abuse of Children
