The lawsuits against the Jesuits for abuse in Alaska were not covered nationally in the media. Then, Germany erupted with stories of pervasive abuse in Jesuit-run schools. The sex-abuse victims are still coming forward,but one rector was recently quoted as saying that he expected that, in the end, they would identify over 100 victims of a single Jesuit perpetrator. And abuse is not limited to this one perpetrator; once again, it is pervasive. In other words, the situation in Germany is a mirror image of that depicted in the first Irish report and of the Australian experience with church-run residential schools.
There is an undeniable pattern and web of connections,even for those who would do all that they can to deny child sex abuse and deny wrongdoing by the Roman Catholic Church. That pattern has led to suffering that is beyond human imagination.
Link (here) to the full editorial piece, The Piece of the Puzzle Are Falling into Place by Marci Hamilton (pictured) at Findlaw.
10 comments:
America Magazine provides updates on the Irish sexual abuse scandal; however, it remains silent on the most recent sexual abuse scandal in the Society, this time, in Germany.
So is the abuse from the left, the right, or both about equally, and how could one know?
In an article titled "Gibson on Diarmuid Martin" by James Martin SJ, Fr. Martin parenthetically notes: "Equally explosive have been allegations of sexual abuse in Jesuit high schools in Germany, which we mentioned in our Signs of the Times this week. The German bishops have just issued an apology, according to Deutsche Welle. This follows an earlier statement by the German Jesuit Provincial, Stefan Dartmann, SJ. Fr. Dartmann's complete statement on the website of the German Province is here".
When I made reference to the scandal and inquired as to why there was not coverage of the story, the comment was deleted. I was pleased to see some reference to the sexual abuse scandal in Germany, however brief.
Anonymous:
One can safely assume that the souls of children entrusted to the care of Jesuits and who met sexual abuse too horrific for description, are unconcerned with the policital persuasion of their molesters.
Maria, the question is whether ideology has an impact.
I think the more salient matter would be the state of the priests' souls; however, I encounter few who believe that a lack of Faith in these priests is a determinative factor in the abuse. I belive a lack of Faith is at the root cause of the abuse, and that, at all levels in the hierarchy of the Church.This lack of Faith should drive us all to prayer, penance and reparation.
It is possible for a Jesuit to loose his faith.
Let me add a little more, the dark spirit wishes to separate us from the Eucharist and the Sacraments. The most expedient way for the dark spirit to do this is to destroy a priest and his vocation. One can only imagine the torments that they must endure.
Excellent point Joseph...
I think socio-political ideology is irrelevant but can't prove it.
Ani=onymous: I do not think that ideology has anything to do with this scourge against children. I agree.
Joseph: I quite agree with you. Hardon SJ tells us that Satan knows he gets no where alone. He needs followers. If I were the devil and wanted to destroy the Church, what better mechanism than the use of priests? One other thing Hardon SJ said that has had a profound impact upon me--and I never realized this--"Everyone one who is in a state of mortal sin is an agent of the Evil One". This explains, for me, the widespread net of the abuse.
Now on personal note, just because a Jesuit is considered liberal does not mean that the Jesuit is ineffective. A faithful priest, is a faithful priest. Now with that being said it is my experience that a troubled Jesuit will speak in a manner that reflects this trouble. This may manifest itself in different ways but some of the signs are a disagreeableness when it comes to things considered "Church", as well as activities that one would consider odd or unbecoming a priest. In the same manner a lay Catholic would if he or she was in "trouble".
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