According to this article by the British newspaper the Daily Mail, a priest sexual abuse hotline in Germany was flooded with 4000 calls on the very first day of operation. Ooops. It's become increasingly clear that the Catholic Hierarchy aided and abetted child molesters otherwise referred to as 'Priests."
Germans aren't happy about this. We shouldn't be either. Humans are sexual beings. Bad things happen when we try to oppress sexuality, rather than allowing healthy and normal (and safe) expression.
It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living. -Terry Pratchett
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In response to the same discussion via my facebook friends and family I shared the following link to a NY Times article and slide show - http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/03/23/world/europe/20100323UKRAINE_index.html
Are you suggesting abstinence creates pedophiles? Many people choose celibacy for various reasons and don't end up abusing others.
Pedophiles may be attracted to a profession that allows them trust and alone time with potential victims. Or maybe men who realize they have deviant desires try to hide in "holy work" rather than deal with their problems.
There are many possible explanations for such a widespread problem. Obviously, one issue is the organization wanting to keep up appearances rather than admitting to and dealing with the issue.
Hopefully, the Catholic church can realize that the problem will not go away if they just ignore it long enough. It will only get worse unless they start dealing with offenders appropriately.
I don't believe abstinence creates pedophiles but I believe the church's stance on celibacy deters natural sexual expression. It creates the illusion that there are those of us above it all and allows those with such desires to hide. It may not be the solution but it is definitely part of the problem and addressing the atrocities without considering the foundation which allows them to exist hidden and secure might be considered (sorry comp trouble this morning - 1st posting deleted)
Again I am not disagreeing with the individual CHOICE to be abstinent I am saying then when we remove the CHOICE from the equation we create a reality void of sexuality and without it people tend not to believe that Father So-and-So could do or would do such a thing because they aren't "sexual"....
and btw - the situation isn't as simple as the views I choose to share unfortunately a post doesn't give us the luxury of addressing all issues involved..but perhaps one simple and direct opinion will help someone to address the complexity of the situation in a way they can without being overwhelmed by it and the task at hand..
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