In response to recent criticism over its handling of the priestly abuse scandals, the Vatican has issued a "defiant and provocative statement". The statement was read by the Vatican's permanent observer to the UN, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi. Some relevant points appear below.
* The statement indicates that problems in other 'churches' are "as big, if not bigger", noting the worse situation of Protestant 'churches'
* The vast majority of abuse cases have been homosexual in nature
* Research shows that the percentage of clergy involved is about 1.5%-5%
* Abuse of this nature is "far more likely" to be committed by family members, babysitters, friends, relatives or neighbors than by Catholic clergy
* Abuse is more common by school employees than by Catholic clergy
* The Church is "very conscious of the seriousness of the problem" and notes that abusers must be punished, potentially including removal from the clerical state
The statement concludes: "As the Catholic Church has been busy cleaning its own house, it would be good if other institutions and authorities, where the major part of abuses are reported, could do the same and inform the media about it."
Good advice, but not surprisingly, the Vatican's finger-pointing isn't sitting well with those outside the Church, some of whom are reportedly "dismayed". Also, the individual who accused the Vatican of covering up child abuse as well as violating several articles under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, said that the response did not contradict any of the accusations he made.
Although the points in the Vatican statement are truths which often go unreported, many Catholics are nevertheless likely to be displeased with the "we're not as bad as you" response. Rather, persons instinctively know that one single case of abuse - EVER - is one too many, just as a single cover-up of a single instance of abuse - EVER - is one too many. Although one Catholic newspaper assures us that these comments "do not represent, in any way, an effort by the Church to shirk its responsibility", it may be difficult for some persons to view the statement in this light. For many, it's way past time that guilty parties accept responsibility for their actions - without finger-pointing and without excuses. We'd be expected to do no less ourselves in Confession.
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