Catholic child abuse in Australia

[Pappa]

Maybe I misread the article, but are they saying the cause of paedophile priests is institutionalized celibacy? Because that's complete bullshit and sickening to boot.

Idk... it's not easy to say if it's an impossibility. While it's more likely that paedophiles have been attracted to the priesthood because of easy access to children, it's not really well understood what prolonged, involuntary celibacy can do to a person. I'm not saying it's likely to be a common reason, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility without evidence either way.

[klr]

Maybe I misread the article, but are they saying the cause of paedophile priests is institutionalized celibacy? Because that's complete bullshit and sickening to boot.

Idk... it's not easy to say if it's an impossibility. While it's more likely that paedophiles have been attracted to the priesthood because of easy access to children, it's not really well understood what prolonged, involuntary celibacy can do to a person. I'm not saying it's likely to be a common reason, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility without evidence either way.

Very true.

In any event, to the extent that institutionalized celibacy is a contributing factor ... well, the Church should have known that a long time ago. A very long time ago - hundreds of years in fact. So one way or another, there's no excuse.

[Rum]

The Child protection training I have received, which is considerable, informs one that people with a sexual attraction to children of this sort will go an awful long way to gain access. Some individual teachers, residential workers, youth workers - you name it have gone into those lines of work for one reason.

What puzzles me a bit is how a potential priest who has to undergo pretty heavy duty indoctrination, much of which in most cases is one assumes undertaken with some sincerity, could square the circle if their primary goal was to access kids. Doesn't make much sense to me.

[Pappa]

The Child protection training I have received, which is considerable, informs one that people with a sexual attraction to children of this sort will go an awful long way to gain access. Some individual teachers, residential workers, youth workers - you name it have gone into those lines of work for one reason.

What puzzles me a bit is how a potential priest who has to undergo pretty heavy duty indoctrination, much of which in most cases is one assumes undertaken with some sincerity, could square the circle if their primary goal was to access kids. Doesn't make much sense to me.

I'm guessing either they didn't take the indoctrination, just pretended to, or else completely compartmentalised their lives.

[Rum]

The Child protection training I have received, which is considerable, informs one that people with a sexual attraction to children of this sort will go an awful long way to gain access. Some individual teachers, residential workers, youth workers - you name it have gone into those lines of work for one reason.

What puzzles me a bit is how a potential priest who has to undergo pretty heavy duty indoctrination, much of which in most cases is one assumes undertaken with some sincerity, could square the circle if their primary goal was to access kids. Doesn't make much sense to me.

I'm guessing either they didn't take the indoctrination, just pretended to, or else completely compartmentalised their lives.

The latter I suspect. Entering the priesthood with that degree of cynicism doesn't make sense to me even if it would suit my evil atheistic outlook!

[Pappa]

The latter I suspect. Entering the priesthood with that degree of cynicism doesn't make sense to me even if it would suit my evil atheistic outlook!

If I had the patience to bluff my way through a Theology degree I'd love to become a vicar. I'd do my very best to remove all vestiges of Christianity in my flock by giving sermons on all the really fucking weird bits of the Bible.

[klr]

The latter I suspect. Entering the priesthood with that degree of cynicism doesn't make sense to me even if it would suit my evil atheistic outlook!

If I had the patience to bluff my way through a Theology degree I'd love to become a vicar. I'd do my very best to remove all vestiges of Christianity in my flock by giving sermons on all the really fucking weird bits of the Bible.

You'd have a lot of material to choose from. I just think of those banners at sports events proclaiming "John 3:7" or "John 3:16", and muse about the possibilities.

[Jason]

Maybe I misread the article, but are they saying the cause of paedophile priests is institutionalized celibacy? Because that's complete bullshit and sickening to boot.

Idk... it's not easy to say if it's an impossibility. While it's more likely that paedophiles have been attracted to the priesthood because of easy access to children, it's not really well understood what prolonged, involuntary celibacy can do to a person. I'm not saying it's likely to be a common reason, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility without evidence either way.

I can't see the connection between 'no sex' and 'hey, why don't I fuck this little boy (or girl)'. The propensity would have to already exist, IMO, perhaps latently, but nevertheless still there. If they can see clear to rationalize paedophilia as outside the bounds of celibacy, why can they not rub one out like the majority of people who get no action? There's no excuse there that I can see. They're paedophiles and giving them free reign to fuck women isn't going to change their proclivities.

[Rum]

I'm not sure there is evidence for that. Repressed sexuality? Access to warm flesh that you can control and people in awe of you?

To me it is evidence of the evils of a religion that represses all the instincts, feelings and drives that actually make us human beings and labels them as evil.

[Jason]

I'm not sure there is evidence for that. Repressed sexuality? Access to warm flesh that you can control and people in awe of you?

To me it is evidence of the evils of a religion that represses all the instincts, feelings and drives that actually make us human beings and labels them as evil.

I don't think I'm understanding you here. Could you expound a little bit for my benefit?

[Rum]

Well you seem to be taking the view that these priests are child focused. I am inclined to the view that in an environment of almost complete sexual repression one of the easiest outlets is the most vulnerable and mailable section of the community they 'serve', I.e. kids. Repressed sexuality is the cause in my view and though some of these bastards may be fixated on children I suspect more of them are fixated on sex and the easier way to vent their frustrations.

Just my take on it.

[Animavore]

I'm sure finding and fucking other, like-minded priests would be easier. I don't buy that.

[Rum]

I'm sure finding and fucking other, like-minded priests would be easier. I don't buy that.

Well that's just daft.

[klr]

I'm sure finding and fucking other, like-minded priests would be easier. I don't buy that.

Get involved with another priest? Far too much potential for trouble if the church authorities ever find out*, and adults are much harder to control and manipulate than children.

*It used be that when the church had a suspect child abuser on its hands, it generally moved him elsewhere. But a known gay priest would have concerned them much more IMHO.

[Jason]

I just can't believe that the argument is essentially this: "A perfectly normal person deprived of normal sexual congress will naturally prey on the most vulnerable (children) and commit the most morally reprehensible crimes to satisfy his sexual urges."