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Breaking Trust: A Priest Looks at the Scandal of Sexual Abuse
In this searing and soul-searching book, Bill Bausch considers the current crisis of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. He seeks out the facts, analyzes the current climate, as well as gauges the reactions of ordinary people in parishes.
112 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2002
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September 20, 2024
A RETIRED PRIEST AND POPULAR WRITER LOOKS AT THE ISSUES
William J. Bausch is a retired priest in the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey; he has written many other books such as 'Pilgrim Church: A Popular History of Catholic Christianity,' 'A World of Stories for Preachers and Teachers: And All Who Love Stories That Move and Challenge,' 'A New Look at the Sacraments,' 'Still Preaching After All These Years: 40 More Seasonal Homilies,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 2002 book, "The revelation of widespread child sexual abuse by priests is now commonplace... The resulting shame is a heavy burden that will be with us a long time. The Church will never be the same. And that, perhaps... may be the hidden grace... we must learn from our mistakes. For all who hope to so learn, and especially for Catholics whose faith and trust have been deeply shaken, this small book is written.
"It hopes to summarize the painful story, examine the fallout, look at the lingering effects this scandal had had on us all, project a Church of the future, and finally offer a way of healing, hope, and recovery. It will also spotlight the main critical issues that are facing Catholics today, issues that were systematically kept hidden from them."
He notes, "One study done by the University of Santa Clara in 1999 estimated that five percent of Catholic priests have inclinations to pedophilia, compared to five percent of Protestant ministers and eight percent of the general population. These statistics... counter the widespread impression that the molestation of minors is an exclusively Catholic clergy problem." (Pg. 27-28)
But he admits, "Sadly, the sexual abuse of children worldwide is much larger than we have ever thought. It is estimated by the American Medical Association that two-thirds of sexual assaults, whether on adults or minors, are never reported. The sexual abuse of boys, so often buried and underestimated, is much higher than we ever thought." (Pg. 49)
He points out, "one fact stands out glaringly: those abused are largely boys. The priests, the bishops, are almost always abusing teenage boys---not their secretary or their secretary's daughters. Almost every newly revealed victim tearfully appearing on television is a male. Some clinicians report that ninety percent of priests' sexual victims are male. The inevitable and undeniable conclusion is that most of the clerical perpetrators are homosexual." (Pg. 52)
He observes, "Why gays are attracted to the priesthood is open to much speculation... As in the case of the fine arts and the fashion industry, where the predominance of gays is legendary, they gravitated to the 'artsiness' of the liturgy and clerical lifestyles, which allows for flowing robes, lace surplices, lovely flowers, and elegant music. Or finally, as some would argue, the whole system of the Catholic priesthood is intensely gay-styled. After all, the clergy are householders without wives, take on a number of domestic roles associated with women, dress in skirts, and act in public rituals that confuse gender roles as, arrayed in silk, they sing, act, and host a meal. Any other male doing what they're doing would be considered queer... they were trained in a seminary, sometimes by homosexual priests, where the clerical culture of silence ... suppressed any discussions of sexuality... and praised and rewarded docility, conformity, and the 'gentle' ways of the seminarian." (Pg. 57-58)
He argues, "The conclusion is obvious. given the current context of a large number of gay priests, plus a critical need for clergy, it would seem to be wise to open up the priesthood to married men... It would also seem to be the time to welcome back the many priests who have left to get married. After all, a Church that welcomes married Protestant ministers who converted to Catholicism and allows them to be ordained priests as married men should have no trouble welcoming its own." (Pg. 59)
But he admits, "It would be foolish, of course, to deny the practical problems of transitioning to a married clergy. There would be such problems as finances (at a time when many dioceses are near bankruptcy), housing, divorce... the loss of easy transfers, rectory access, camaraderie, and so on. And anyone who thinks that a married clergy would dissolve the so-called 'clerical culture' should visit our Protestant brethren's conferences." (Pg. 67-68)
This is an excellent, insightful overview and thoughtful commentary on the entire issues raised by the scandals, and will be of great help to anyone studying this matter.
William J. Bausch is a retired priest in the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey; he has written many other books such as 'Pilgrim Church: A Popular History of Catholic Christianity,' 'A World of Stories for Preachers and Teachers: And All Who Love Stories That Move and Challenge,' 'A New Look at the Sacraments,' 'Still Preaching After All These Years: 40 More Seasonal Homilies,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 2002 book, "The revelation of widespread child sexual abuse by priests is now commonplace... The resulting shame is a heavy burden that will be with us a long time. The Church will never be the same. And that, perhaps... may be the hidden grace... we must learn from our mistakes. For all who hope to so learn, and especially for Catholics whose faith and trust have been deeply shaken, this small book is written.
"It hopes to summarize the painful story, examine the fallout, look at the lingering effects this scandal had had on us all, project a Church of the future, and finally offer a way of healing, hope, and recovery. It will also spotlight the main critical issues that are facing Catholics today, issues that were systematically kept hidden from them."
He notes, "One study done by the University of Santa Clara in 1999 estimated that five percent of Catholic priests have inclinations to pedophilia, compared to five percent of Protestant ministers and eight percent of the general population. These statistics... counter the widespread impression that the molestation of minors is an exclusively Catholic clergy problem." (Pg. 27-28)
But he admits, "Sadly, the sexual abuse of children worldwide is much larger than we have ever thought. It is estimated by the American Medical Association that two-thirds of sexual assaults, whether on adults or minors, are never reported. The sexual abuse of boys, so often buried and underestimated, is much higher than we ever thought." (Pg. 49)
He points out, "one fact stands out glaringly: those abused are largely boys. The priests, the bishops, are almost always abusing teenage boys---not their secretary or their secretary's daughters. Almost every newly revealed victim tearfully appearing on television is a male. Some clinicians report that ninety percent of priests' sexual victims are male. The inevitable and undeniable conclusion is that most of the clerical perpetrators are homosexual." (Pg. 52)
He observes, "Why gays are attracted to the priesthood is open to much speculation... As in the case of the fine arts and the fashion industry, where the predominance of gays is legendary, they gravitated to the 'artsiness' of the liturgy and clerical lifestyles, which allows for flowing robes, lace surplices, lovely flowers, and elegant music. Or finally, as some would argue, the whole system of the Catholic priesthood is intensely gay-styled. After all, the clergy are householders without wives, take on a number of domestic roles associated with women, dress in skirts, and act in public rituals that confuse gender roles as, arrayed in silk, they sing, act, and host a meal. Any other male doing what they're doing would be considered queer... they were trained in a seminary, sometimes by homosexual priests, where the clerical culture of silence ... suppressed any discussions of sexuality... and praised and rewarded docility, conformity, and the 'gentle' ways of the seminarian." (Pg. 57-58)
He argues, "The conclusion is obvious. given the current context of a large number of gay priests, plus a critical need for clergy, it would seem to be wise to open up the priesthood to married men... It would also seem to be the time to welcome back the many priests who have left to get married. After all, a Church that welcomes married Protestant ministers who converted to Catholicism and allows them to be ordained priests as married men should have no trouble welcoming its own." (Pg. 59)
But he admits, "It would be foolish, of course, to deny the practical problems of transitioning to a married clergy. There would be such problems as finances (at a time when many dioceses are near bankruptcy), housing, divorce... the loss of easy transfers, rectory access, camaraderie, and so on. And anyone who thinks that a married clergy would dissolve the so-called 'clerical culture' should visit our Protestant brethren's conferences." (Pg. 67-68)
This is an excellent, insightful overview and thoughtful commentary on the entire issues raised by the scandals, and will be of great help to anyone studying this matter.
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