In the wake of the Catholic church sex abuse scandal, there are way too many questions that are left unanswered and too many issues that have been dismissed as “Just a few bad apples in a large bunch.”

The report filed by the state Attorney General begs to differ. The template letter read at all of the churches in the involved dioceses does little or nothing to address the problems. To the faithful who supported the church both spiritually and financially, the Catholic church owes more than just a video and prayers from the Bishop. In my humble opinion, the church needs to explain two major issues to its victims, faithful and stakeholders.

Just how did this sexual perversion ever find a way into the church? I don’t know of anyone who read the report straight through without having to stop a few times. The report was too difficult and disturbing to read in one sitting. Pagans and hardened criminals stay away from children. How can a person educated in the teachings of Christ go down such a sordid path? Is it a pornography addiction gone way out of control? Are the methods of teaching in the seminary such as role playing of demon against priest that provides outcomes similar to the Stanford Prison Experiment? I don’t know.

What we need right now from the Catholic church is an explanation of how long has this been part of the culture? What corrective actions are being used to a make sure this never happens again? Almost like clockwork we’re told by the church it’s time to move on to a period of “healing and forgiveness.” Not so fast. Within the past year, two more diocesan priests have been charged with sexual misconduct and one with child pornography possession.

Secondly, the church must decide which is more important. The protection and sanctity of the ordained, the bond of loyalty within the church and its ranks and ecclesiastical ambitions, or the ability of the church to know the difference between what is right or wrong and act accordingly. Many were angered by the fact that many of the priests did nothing about what they knew. That may be incorrect. Maybe incidents were reported, but got buried or squelched under the system. We’ll never know.

The damage is done, there is no legal remedy that could compensate any victim for the pain and suffering they endured. Attendance in the church has been dropping and the young are not to be found. The church does not need to look at the faithful, but look at itself and examine its own conscience. Life teaches us that we are only as free as our lies and secrets allow us to be. The Catholic church has been held hostage too long by its own actions.

Respectfully,

Joe Pavlis

Lansford