Universal Scandal Reaches the Roman Catholic Church in Belgium
More than 500 witnesses of child molestation inflicted at the hands of Roman Catholic Clergymen have come forward in Belgium according to a report issued today, September 10th, 2010. As noted by the head of the commission issuing the report: "Reality is worse than what we present here today because not everyone shares such things automatically in a first contact with the commission."
Despite the under reporting, the Belgium commission was able to identify 476 instances of child abuse involving hundreds of abuse survivors from the 1960s and 70s who endured acts such as mutual masturbation, forced masturbation, and oral and anal abuse. Those abused include children from the age of two on up to those in teenage years. The commission received evidence from the families of 13 suicide victims and from six other people who attempted suicide, all of which was related to abuse by clergy.
Catholics understand the term “Catholic” to mean universal. That is exactly what this scandal has become – universal. All across the globe, the leaders of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy made irresponsible decisions when it came to the well being of children. These men allowed priest abusers to remain in ministry and reassigned them to communities where they continued to abuse. These men chose not to report the criminal actions of priests to the authorities. These men cared more about the possibility of scandal than in protecting the vulnerable. These men failed to respond as Christ would to the suffering members of the Church.
The Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church in Belgium has been led for decades by a man, Cardinal Godfried Danneels, who when it came to abuse issues was committed to the culture of secrecy. Last month an abuse survivor released tape recordings of the Cardinal seeking to keep abuse allegations quiet against a Belgium Bishop. A universal response in the Universal Church.
This is not an indictment of the whole body. Within the Roman Catholic Church there are dedicated priests, nuns, and other religious and lay people who love God with all their hearts and live their lives as an expression of that love. The problem lies not at the feet of those good people. Instead, it is found within a Hierarchy that holds complete power over church affairs, in every diocese the executive, legislative, and judicial power are held by the local bishop. That absolute power has corrupted absolutely – it is a universal truth – and children pay the price.