I pray now that some of the stigma that was associated with the Catholic Church and abuse cases can now be reduced or eliminated. It is clear that this is an issue amongs many faiths and denominations.
Insurers should insist upon awareness training for clergy and laity alike, as well as show procedures in place for instructing our children how to voice themselves when incidents arise, or if they are not sure.
Above all, from the viewpoint of the insurer, perhaps a stipulation, like in fidelity policies, should exist to encourage churches to prosecute those accused of sexual abuse.
Our Meeting has never had a sex abuse allegation, since it began in 1684. All people that work with kids undergo a criminal background check and child abuse clearance. We do not allow anyone to interact with our children in first day school unless they have attended our Meeting for at least six months. We do not have a minister either. I have read that some people that have unnatural sexual feelings toward children join the ministry in order to be closer to the Creator, hoping that their feelings will change as they grow closer to God.
How can you speak for everyone in your church/meeting since 1684?
Sorry to inform, but the likelyhood that human nature is different based on religious following, or any number of background checks, does not make sense.
Unfortunately, this behaviour has gone on since the dawn of man, and probably will till the end of man.
I wish it was possible, then others could learn from your organization, but I do not believe it.
I agree, there is no number of safeguards that you can put in place that will completely prevent any situation, but there are certainly steps that we can take reduce the likelihood.
My point in all of it is that the Catholic church took a lot of flack a few years ago about this, and now, church insurers are showing that Protestant churches seem to be just as susceptible to the same issues as the Catholic church, yet we don’t hear the same outcry, perhaps because of the in fact decentralization of these churches. When these people are identified, there needs to be action taken immediately, and our children told we are not going to blame them for the actions of those that molested them.
Also, I would agree, no amount of background checks are going to stop someone determined to offend. Look at the BTK killer- he committed his crimes 25 years ago, then receded into quietness, was a scout and church leader, and then finally was exposed, essentially after he outed himself.
So, I think it unreasonable for any faith, or denomination thereof, to hold themselves out as “holier than thou” because they’ve “never” had anyone do anything like that. You can’t verify that, though I pray its true.
Although heterosexuals outnumber homosexuals by a ratio of at least 20 to 1, homosexual pedophiles commit about one-third of the total number of child sex offenses.
Go here: http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WA03I35
This scholarly article is heavily footnoted. Unless and until you can impeach these sources, you’re just whistlin’ Dixie.
Did not suggest our faith is superior to any others. We believe there is that of the Creator in everyone. Just mentioning some of the things we do in order to keep our kids safe.
Was there ever any doubt that ‘problems’ existed in denominations other than the Roman Catholic? The difference is that when an Associate Pastor in my church is caught visiting porn sites, he is removed from his position and offered counseling (psychological)to remain a member. His ordination is withdrawn. Our hierarchy deals with these situations and the congregation is advised of the outcomes and asked to pray for healing.
Sadly, for Catholics, your leadership continues to resist an open and fair resolution of accusations. I am sure not all priests accused are quilty but how will parishoners know? To this day, Bishops are continuing to coverup.
I can’t speak for what is going on in other dioceses, but ours is one that was impacted mightily by these scandals in the past.
It is true, that in the past, priests were removed from positions, sent to counseling/rehab, what have you, and later allowed to return to ministry once they had been “cured” so to speak. Now it is recognized that you don’t get over being a pedophile, and these priests are in fact removed from ministry, defrocked, and prosecuted. It seems that an unreasonable expectations are put on Catholic priests, that they are somehow above other men. The truth is, they are just men who have had a calling to God, not unlike, in many ways, those of their Protestant brethren. The differences lie in the vow of celibacy, poverty and obediance that Protestant ministers do not ascribe to. But in the end, they are men, capable of fault and sinners, just like you and I.
I do think its a terrible tragedy and travesty that there have been coverups, and won’t deny that there are attempts to hush things under the rug today. Being an active Catholic, I can tell you, we find it unacceptable, and you can be certain that at least in our parish and diocese, that when these revelations come to light, there is a demand for immediate action and swift justice, as well as healing for all affected.
Even today, Protestant ministers continue to be accused of things. It just bothers me when they are held out like these things aren’t going on at probably the same, if not higher level than the Catholic church. All we are hearing about in the article are the number of sex abuse molestation cases being reported as claims. This doesn’t include the ones that go unreported or that get “swept under the table”.
Personally, I think they should all be held responsible. No two, three strikes. Immediate removal and prosecution. And then, get them the help they desperately need, after all, even though they have fallen, they are still God’s children.
We have updated our privacy policy to be more clear and meet the new requirements of the GDPR. By continuing to use our site, you accept our revised Privacy Policy.
I pray now that some of the stigma that was associated with the Catholic Church and abuse cases can now be reduced or eliminated. It is clear that this is an issue amongs many faiths and denominations.
Insurers should insist upon awareness training for clergy and laity alike, as well as show procedures in place for instructing our children how to voice themselves when incidents arise, or if they are not sure.
Above all, from the viewpoint of the insurer, perhaps a stipulation, like in fidelity policies, should exist to encourage churches to prosecute those accused of sexual abuse.
It’s still a shame thay they will won’t own up to what went on all these years.
Maybe if all faiths were a bit more open with the public about these things, peoiple might think about coming back to the church
Our Meeting has never had a sex abuse allegation, since it began in 1684. All people that work with kids undergo a criminal background check and child abuse clearance. We do not allow anyone to interact with our children in first day school unless they have attended our Meeting for at least six months. We do not have a minister either. I have read that some people that have unnatural sexual feelings toward children join the ministry in order to be closer to the Creator, hoping that their feelings will change as they grow closer to God.
Quaker,
How can you speak for everyone in your church/meeting since 1684?
Sorry to inform, but the likelyhood that human nature is different based on religious following, or any number of background checks, does not make sense.
Unfortunately, this behaviour has gone on since the dawn of man, and probably will till the end of man.
I wish it was possible, then others could learn from your organization, but I do not believe it.
I agree, there is no number of safeguards that you can put in place that will completely prevent any situation, but there are certainly steps that we can take reduce the likelihood.
My point in all of it is that the Catholic church took a lot of flack a few years ago about this, and now, church insurers are showing that Protestant churches seem to be just as susceptible to the same issues as the Catholic church, yet we don’t hear the same outcry, perhaps because of the in fact decentralization of these churches. When these people are identified, there needs to be action taken immediately, and our children told we are not going to blame them for the actions of those that molested them.
Also, I would agree, no amount of background checks are going to stop someone determined to offend. Look at the BTK killer- he committed his crimes 25 years ago, then receded into quietness, was a scout and church leader, and then finally was exposed, essentially after he outed himself.
So, I think it unreasonable for any faith, or denomination thereof, to hold themselves out as “holier than thou” because they’ve “never” had anyone do anything like that. You can’t verify that, though I pray its true.
PLEASE don’t make the mistake of equating homosexuals with pedophiles. Not even remotely comparable. Get over it.
Although heterosexuals outnumber homosexuals by a ratio of at least 20 to 1, homosexual pedophiles commit about one-third of the total number of child sex offenses.
Go here:
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WA03I35
This scholarly article is heavily footnoted. Unless and until you can impeach these sources, you’re just whistlin’ Dixie.
Did not suggest our faith is superior to any others. We believe there is that of the Creator in everyone. Just mentioning some of the things we do in order to keep our kids safe.
Was there ever any doubt that ‘problems’ existed in denominations other than the Roman Catholic? The difference is that when an Associate Pastor in my church is caught visiting porn sites, he is removed from his position and offered counseling (psychological)to remain a member. His ordination is withdrawn. Our hierarchy deals with these situations and the congregation is advised of the outcomes and asked to pray for healing.
Sadly, for Catholics, your leadership continues to resist an open and fair resolution of accusations. I am sure not all priests accused are quilty but how will parishoners know? To this day, Bishops are continuing to coverup.
I can’t speak for what is going on in other dioceses, but ours is one that was impacted mightily by these scandals in the past.
It is true, that in the past, priests were removed from positions, sent to counseling/rehab, what have you, and later allowed to return to ministry once they had been “cured” so to speak. Now it is recognized that you don’t get over being a pedophile, and these priests are in fact removed from ministry, defrocked, and prosecuted. It seems that an unreasonable expectations are put on Catholic priests, that they are somehow above other men. The truth is, they are just men who have had a calling to God, not unlike, in many ways, those of their Protestant brethren. The differences lie in the vow of celibacy, poverty and obediance that Protestant ministers do not ascribe to. But in the end, they are men, capable of fault and sinners, just like you and I.
I do think its a terrible tragedy and travesty that there have been coverups, and won’t deny that there are attempts to hush things under the rug today. Being an active Catholic, I can tell you, we find it unacceptable, and you can be certain that at least in our parish and diocese, that when these revelations come to light, there is a demand for immediate action and swift justice, as well as healing for all affected.
Even today, Protestant ministers continue to be accused of things. It just bothers me when they are held out like these things aren’t going on at probably the same, if not higher level than the Catholic church. All we are hearing about in the article are the number of sex abuse molestation cases being reported as claims. This doesn’t include the ones that go unreported or that get “swept under the table”.
Personally, I think they should all be held responsible. No two, three strikes. Immediate removal and prosecution. And then, get them the help they desperately need, after all, even though they have fallen, they are still God’s children.