NCJ Number
207962
Date Published
February 2004
Length
158 pages
Annotation
This report from a comprehensive study of the causes and context of the sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy was commissioned by a National Review Board created under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People approved by the full body of U.S. Catholic Bishops meeting in June 2002.
Abstract
In profiling the features of the crisis of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests, the study focused on two questions: How did individuals with a disposition to sexually abuse minors gain admission to the priesthood? How did they manage to remain in the priesthood even after allegations and evidence of their offenses became known to their bishops and other church leaders? Regarding the first question, the report presents findings on the process of selecting and preparing candidates for the priesthood, with attention to issues that relate to sexual orientation, celibacy, and spiritual life. Findings on the second question identify failures by bishops and church officials to perceive the gravity of priests' sexual abuse of children; deficiencies in the responses to victims; unwarranted presumptions that favored accused priests; a strategy of secrecy and avoidance of scandal; excessive reliance on the therapeutic model in responding to offending priests; an undue reliance on adversarial legal defense tactics at the expense of victims; and the failure of church officials to hold themselves and other bishops accountable for their mistakes. Recommendations based on these findings pertain to enhanced screening of prospective priests, training for the priesthood, oversight of priesthood candidates, increased sensitivity in responding to abuse allegations, greater accountability of bishops and church leaders, improved interaction of church officials with civil authorities, and greater participation of the laity in church life.