It is hard not to notice the big sign on Front Street declaring April as Sexual Abuse Awareness Month. The message then changes to warn us of the dangers of Catholic priests abusing altar boys. Now in no way would I ever attempt to downplay the seriousness of priests, or anyone who has sexually abused children. The evil in this is beyond comprehension, and those who were found guilty of it should be, (and have been), subjected to the full extent of civil and canonical punishments. Trust me when I say that this has been a long and painful “lent” for faithful Catholics.

The problem is the message on the sign makes no distinction between the small percentage who were guilty and the vast majority of priests who are good, faithful and holy pastors. Painting priests with so broad a brush is unfair and very hurtful. I have known many priests throughout my life, and all but a few were not only good pastors, but also men of the utmost integrity, virtue and character. It is painful to hear stories of them walking through an airport and having a mother shield her child from them or another person hurling mindless insults. I know of a young priest who was awakened one early morning by an anonymous caller who screamed at him and accused him of being a sexual abuser. This was done for the sole purpose of inflicting hurt and exacting revenge.

The problem of sexual abuse is widespread and encompasses nearly every group you can imagine from married men to schoolteachers, politicians and camp counselors. The media loves to focus on clergy, especially Catholic priests who make a promise of celibacy when they are ordained. The wisdom in this is so a priest can serve his Lord and shepherd his flock with an undivided heart. To those who believe celibacy is the cause of sexual abuse, I would challenge them to prove it. Celibacy is neither the cause, nor is marriage the cure for those who sexually abuse children. 

How do we truly begin to end the scourge of sexual abuse in our hyper-sexualized culture? We might start by discouraging the widespread consumption of pornography and the grave harm that it causes. 

Scott Bute

Alden