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Lead Us Not into Temptation: Catholic Priests and the Sexual Abuse of Children
This updated edition of an unusually important and ground-breaking work of investigative journalism on Catholic priests and child sexual abuse is once again made available and belongs in every bookstore.
440 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1992
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301 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 26, 2023
The first hundred pages of this book enraged me to a degree that perhaps no other book has equaled. Incredibly, it was published in 1992, well before the full contours of the child sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church were understood, but it gets pretty much to the heart of the story, chronically the perpetual moving of pedophile priests from one parish to another while keeping their crimes under wraps and allowing them to victimize a new crop of children again and again.
Berry was a freelance reporter who did a lot of work for the National Catholic Reporter and broke one of the first stories that would later become so familiar about a parish in Louisiana that protected its priests after committing monstrous acts of child abuse. He is a Catholic himself who is shocked at what he finds. The first section of the book that is dedicated to this topic is riveting reading, as we see the impacts on families and follow the legal and media proceedings. It's exceptionally well-written, and as I said, inspires enormous anger in the readers, especially if they have young children as I do.
I kind of wish the book had ended in the middle, because the second half starts to lose some of its focus. Remember, the book was written in 1992, and it begins to discuss the connections between pedophilia, celibate priests, and homosexuality. While Berry does clarify in the book's introduction that there is not a connection between homosexuality and pedophilia, the discussion in the text itself too often muddies the waters on the issue, becoming focused on gay priestly culture instead of the actual scandal of the abuse of children. In addition, as new scandals sprouted around the country, the book starts hopping from place to place and it becomes easy for the reader to get lost in the shuffle.
Nonetheless, I've rounded up to four stars since the book is such an early warning about what was to come over the next decade plus. It puts on display the unconscionable arrogance and self-serving actions of the church, and the moral bankruptcy that lies in the heart of the organization. The problem, of course, was not fixed, even though it was well-known, and even to this day no doubt there are children suffering to protect the public reputation of bishops or vicars or whatever.
Berry was a freelance reporter who did a lot of work for the National Catholic Reporter and broke one of the first stories that would later become so familiar about a parish in Louisiana that protected its priests after committing monstrous acts of child abuse. He is a Catholic himself who is shocked at what he finds. The first section of the book that is dedicated to this topic is riveting reading, as we see the impacts on families and follow the legal and media proceedings. It's exceptionally well-written, and as I said, inspires enormous anger in the readers, especially if they have young children as I do.
I kind of wish the book had ended in the middle, because the second half starts to lose some of its focus. Remember, the book was written in 1992, and it begins to discuss the connections between pedophilia, celibate priests, and homosexuality. While Berry does clarify in the book's introduction that there is not a connection between homosexuality and pedophilia, the discussion in the text itself too often muddies the waters on the issue, becoming focused on gay priestly culture instead of the actual scandal of the abuse of children. In addition, as new scandals sprouted around the country, the book starts hopping from place to place and it becomes easy for the reader to get lost in the shuffle.
Nonetheless, I've rounded up to four stars since the book is such an early warning about what was to come over the next decade plus. It puts on display the unconscionable arrogance and self-serving actions of the church, and the moral bankruptcy that lies in the heart of the organization. The problem, of course, was not fixed, even though it was well-known, and even to this day no doubt there are children suffering to protect the public reputation of bishops or vicars or whatever.
December 9, 2015
I read this book after seeing the movie Spotlight and I am amazed that the content did not get more attention when it was published. All of the issues that were highlighted in the movie: the knowledge by church hierarchy, the cover-up, the threats to those who tried to expose the abuse, the moving of abusers to new locations without any oversight, all were highlighted in this book. Having been raised Catholic, I couldn't help reflect upon the Bishops and Archbishops who lied and deliberately chose to deceive the public. The abuse of power was staggering. What became very clear is that the only way we will fix this problem is to change the stance that priests (men and women) should be able to marry. While there are many caring and good priests working in parishes, the current structure attracts too many of the wrong individuals that can hide their dysfunctions. We have many holy and devout men and women that would serve the church well and revive the ranks so that we don't attract the wrong individuals, or when we do, they are immediately stripped of authority and arrested like the rest of society.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was for editing. I found it difficult to read at times and had to reread passages to discern meaning. Well worth the effort though. I would also suggest reading the updated companion book to Spotlight (the movie). It was written in 2002 after the yearlong breaking stories about the abuse and cover-up in the Boston diocese. Both will leave you wondering how this could happen.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was for editing. I found it difficult to read at times and had to reread passages to discern meaning. Well worth the effort though. I would also suggest reading the updated companion book to Spotlight (the movie). It was written in 2002 after the yearlong breaking stories about the abuse and cover-up in the Boston diocese. Both will leave you wondering how this could happen.
November 23, 2011
I think perhaps reading this at this late date dilluted the immediacy of this shameful topic -- the abuse, but also the heinous cover-up. The author did a fine job of reporting, but I was amazed to read that after unearthing such a thing he retained his Catholicity. Mine departed in 1980 and all I can say is after reading this I'm glad it did.
Want to read
June 26, 2016 I want to read this after watching "Spotlight." In the autumn of 1984, Jason Berry heard reports of the sexual abuse of boys by a priest in rural Louisiana. As an expectant father, he was horrified for the children. As a Catholic he reasoned that even a priest can commit crimes. As a reporter, he wanted to find out what had happened. #religion #crime #biography
Read
September 13, 2011A disturbing account of what really goes on in the Catholic church. How anyone can choose to be a part of this sham is beyond my comprehension.
August 29, 2013
"Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever... now suck it!" ...yesyes...quite a sex racket. Otherwise, why go into the bend-over Biz ?
September 19, 2024
THE ORIGINAL BOOK THAT REVEALED SEXUAL ABUSE BY CATHOLIC CLERGY
Jason Berry is an investigative reporter in New Orleans; he has also cowritten 'Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II,' and directed the documentary 'Vows Of Silence: El Legionario de Cristo.'
He wrote in the Prologue to this 1992 book, "The Catholic Church's history of monarchical rule, grounded in celibacy, stands at a painful crossroads. The conflicts here recorded---involving families of abuse survivors, fallen priests and their bishops; attorneys for both sides; admirable priests and Vatican diplomats; therapists; insurers; nuns; gay activists; seminarians; theologians; journalists and editors---amount to variations of a central theme: religious power in conflict with morality." (Pg. xxi)
He notes that lawyer J. Minos Simon, "With expanding research tentacles, his case rested on a startling premise: that church officials not only had prior knowledge of [Fr. Gilbert] Gauthe's crimes but that they also tolerated active homosexuality among other priests in the diocese. Although sexual activity between consenting adults was a far cry from child molesting, Simon was bent on proving systemic negligence on the part of church officials who failed to enforce canonical codes that demanded celibacy." (Pg. 51)
An anonymous source told Berry, "[Homosexuality] was intrinsic to the training... he talked on, about youths going into seminary, ignorant of their sexuality, falling prey to older men... I tried to imagine this person, how he knew so much. And how much was true? He mentioned photographs of naked men that had been taken at Immaculata Seminary." (Pg. 81)
He points out that "John H. McNeill... was a founder of New York's Dignity chapter, and organization of gay Catholics. When Jesuit superiors in Rome learned that McNeill was writing a book on homosexuality, they ordered him to halt publication and cease his lectures. A commission of theologians empaneled to review his work ... deemed the work important... In 1976, with the Society of Jesus' permission (but not endorsement), 'The Church and the Homosexual' was published. The waiting period guaranteed the book's notoriety. On NBC's 'Today Show,' McNeill said that he was homosexual. (Years later he spoke of an ongoing sexual relationship at the time." New orders came from Rome to cease speaking and writing on the topic. Living in a Jesuit community ... McNeill counseled gays as a therapist, maintaining a long public silence." (Pg. 199)
He asks, "What explains the deception of bishops confronted with child-molesting priests? What is it in the ecclesiastical mind that reaches out to lawyers rather than parents? To call bishops venal is unfair, accusations of hypocrisy also miss the mark. For in other ways they were accomplished public figures... [By] recycling or helping child molesters, evading realities among gay clergy, failing to present Rome with a rational agenda for reform---these men... expose a flaw in the bishops' moral authority. The common denominator is a by-product of celibacy: they don't have children. They do not know what it means to hold an infant with colic in the late hours, or the elation when a child learns to walk. Their appreciation of these and the myriad other experiences that come with parenting is abstract, vicarious, and minimal at best." (Pg. 299)
Berry concludes, "Polls show that the laity are quite prepared for married priests. It is the men who rule the church who fear the loss of power. The driving factor may well be money: increased losses from civil litigation, and a continuation of lowered donations by lay people in the pews. The $400 million in losses due to child molestation in the last decade is nearly six times the Vatican deficit. This includes attorneys' fees, medical expenses for priests, therapy costs to victims, direct cash settlements, and portions of settlements shared with insurers." (Pg. 368)
This book was the first to report on Catholic clergy sexual abuse, and it remains "must reading" for anyone wanting to know more about this subject.
Jason Berry is an investigative reporter in New Orleans; he has also cowritten 'Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II,' and directed the documentary 'Vows Of Silence: El Legionario de Cristo.'
He wrote in the Prologue to this 1992 book, "The Catholic Church's history of monarchical rule, grounded in celibacy, stands at a painful crossroads. The conflicts here recorded---involving families of abuse survivors, fallen priests and their bishops; attorneys for both sides; admirable priests and Vatican diplomats; therapists; insurers; nuns; gay activists; seminarians; theologians; journalists and editors---amount to variations of a central theme: religious power in conflict with morality." (Pg. xxi)
He notes that lawyer J. Minos Simon, "With expanding research tentacles, his case rested on a startling premise: that church officials not only had prior knowledge of [Fr. Gilbert] Gauthe's crimes but that they also tolerated active homosexuality among other priests in the diocese. Although sexual activity between consenting adults was a far cry from child molesting, Simon was bent on proving systemic negligence on the part of church officials who failed to enforce canonical codes that demanded celibacy." (Pg. 51)
An anonymous source told Berry, "[Homosexuality] was intrinsic to the training... he talked on, about youths going into seminary, ignorant of their sexuality, falling prey to older men... I tried to imagine this person, how he knew so much. And how much was true? He mentioned photographs of naked men that had been taken at Immaculata Seminary." (Pg. 81)
He points out that "John H. McNeill... was a founder of New York's Dignity chapter, and organization of gay Catholics. When Jesuit superiors in Rome learned that McNeill was writing a book on homosexuality, they ordered him to halt publication and cease his lectures. A commission of theologians empaneled to review his work ... deemed the work important... In 1976, with the Society of Jesus' permission (but not endorsement), 'The Church and the Homosexual' was published. The waiting period guaranteed the book's notoriety. On NBC's 'Today Show,' McNeill said that he was homosexual. (Years later he spoke of an ongoing sexual relationship at the time." New orders came from Rome to cease speaking and writing on the topic. Living in a Jesuit community ... McNeill counseled gays as a therapist, maintaining a long public silence." (Pg. 199)
He asks, "What explains the deception of bishops confronted with child-molesting priests? What is it in the ecclesiastical mind that reaches out to lawyers rather than parents? To call bishops venal is unfair, accusations of hypocrisy also miss the mark. For in other ways they were accomplished public figures... [By] recycling or helping child molesters, evading realities among gay clergy, failing to present Rome with a rational agenda for reform---these men... expose a flaw in the bishops' moral authority. The common denominator is a by-product of celibacy: they don't have children. They do not know what it means to hold an infant with colic in the late hours, or the elation when a child learns to walk. Their appreciation of these and the myriad other experiences that come with parenting is abstract, vicarious, and minimal at best." (Pg. 299)
Berry concludes, "Polls show that the laity are quite prepared for married priests. It is the men who rule the church who fear the loss of power. The driving factor may well be money: increased losses from civil litigation, and a continuation of lowered donations by lay people in the pews. The $400 million in losses due to child molestation in the last decade is nearly six times the Vatican deficit. This includes attorneys' fees, medical expenses for priests, therapy costs to victims, direct cash settlements, and portions of settlements shared with insurers." (Pg. 368)
This book was the first to report on Catholic clergy sexual abuse, and it remains "must reading" for anyone wanting to know more about this subject.
September 22, 2024
Enlightening and infuriating. Things I found most shocking:
- systemic pedophilia among Catholic priests after Vatican II
- bishops carelessly recycling abusive priests to one vulnerable parish after another : in one scenario, moving a thrice-accused pedophilic priest to the position of principal of a parish school
- blatant, boastful breaking of celibacy and chastity vows by priests, mostly those of homosexual orientation
- an obviously predatory environment bred in many Catholic seminaries, leaving young priests both abused and abusive
- clerical AND judicial systems which allow pedophiles and child abusers to exit prison at any time, always (statistically speaking) resulting in further child abuse
Jason Berry wrote this book well ahead of its time and doesn’t get near enough credit for it. A well researched, fascinating, and heart-wrenching book.
- systemic pedophilia among Catholic priests after Vatican II
- bishops carelessly recycling abusive priests to one vulnerable parish after another : in one scenario, moving a thrice-accused pedophilic priest to the position of principal of a parish school
- blatant, boastful breaking of celibacy and chastity vows by priests, mostly those of homosexual orientation
- an obviously predatory environment bred in many Catholic seminaries, leaving young priests both abused and abusive
- clerical AND judicial systems which allow pedophiles and child abusers to exit prison at any time, always (statistically speaking) resulting in further child abuse
Jason Berry wrote this book well ahead of its time and doesn’t get near enough credit for it. A well researched, fascinating, and heart-wrenching book.
August 20, 2017
There are many disturbing and dark realities brought to light in this book. I give the author credit for his research, for thinking through each issue, and for his great search to unveil the truth of the abominable sex scandals, and the monstrous cover up by many authorities in the catholic Church.
I gave the book 3 out of 5 stars for a couple reasons; but mostly because I found many parts of the book hard to read (not so much due to content, but more so because of the style of writing, though I'm not sure that could have been avoided entirely due to the nature of subject); additionally, while I appreciate his dedication to put light on darkness, I don't necessarily agree with his conclusions.
I gave the book 3 out of 5 stars for a couple reasons; but mostly because I found many parts of the book hard to read (not so much due to content, but more so because of the style of writing, though I'm not sure that could have been avoided entirely due to the nature of subject); additionally, while I appreciate his dedication to put light on darkness, I don't necessarily agree with his conclusions.
February 22, 2018
Every Catholic should read this book.
Through diligent research and reporting, Jason Berry tells the horrifying story of widespread child abuse and the evil cover-up by Catholic Church hierarchy. The author, a practicing Catholic who maintains his faith in the face of wicked hypocrisy among every level of the clergy, does the reader AND the Church a great service by exposing the truth to a world that, 25 years later, is still discovering the depths of the crisis.
Through diligent research and reporting, Jason Berry tells the horrifying story of widespread child abuse and the evil cover-up by Catholic Church hierarchy. The author, a practicing Catholic who maintains his faith in the face of wicked hypocrisy among every level of the clergy, does the reader AND the Church a great service by exposing the truth to a world that, 25 years later, is still discovering the depths of the crisis.
February 14, 2022
Great book, if a bit hard to get through material wise. The sole critique I have is the organization. Oftentimes chapters feel a bit disjointed.
August 24, 2021
Thoroughly researched and written with compassion, Jason Berry has created one of the seminal books on the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic church. Documenting numerous court cases, interviewing countless survivors and priests and those who treat and study them, this book is a must-read for any one trying to learn more—or trying to understand—the crisis that has severely undermined the church’s moral authority and raised legitimate concerns about its corruption, hypocrisy, and sexism. My copy is littered with hundreds of notes and postits and has proven invaluable in my research on the subject. Lead Us Not Into Temptation is more than just a literary account of the scandal, it is also a testament to the power of a great journalist and writer who cares about the institution but values the truth more.
June 2, 2008
Oddly, it keeps me in a church.
Beginning of the Great Expiation. The Stripping of the Temple Veils. God Speaks to the Arrogant. Whatever...
Beginning of the Great Expiation. The Stripping of the Temple Veils. God Speaks to the Arrogant. Whatever...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews