UNITED STATES
The Daily Aztec
By Jessica Napier, Staff Columnist
Published: Thursday, September 1, 2005
In the United States from 1950-2002, 4,392 Catholic priests and clergymen sexually abused (including molestation) 10,667 people, according to the Catholic News Service. Although there hasn't been a thorough national survey taken since the 2002 study by the U.S. bishops'Abuse Tracker Review Board, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reported 1,083 additional abuse incidents in 2004 alone. The inappropriate and sinful actions of the guilty clerics, priests, bishops and employees of the Catholic Church have destroyed the faith of many Catholic followers and traumatized the lives of the abused victims.
Apologies and compensation for victims are certainly expected and have been provided, but these actions alone will not suffice. The church must use many different methods to redeem itself and recapture a high moral image; however, it seems the preferred method is to spend millions of dollars in an effort to redeem Catholicism.
According to The Associated Press, The Diocese of Covington in Kentucky recently agreed to pay $120 million to the victims of abuse by any employee of its diocese. Covington is a recent example of many dioceses, which have decided to financially compensate its victims. Sexually abused victims in Covington will be categorized by severity of abuse suffered in order to determine the amount of money he or she will receive. Victims of smaller crimes can collect as little as $5,000, whereas the victims of more severe crimes will be compensated as much as $450,000.
Some Covington Catholics question the efficacy of the diocese's plans: Jack Gartner, a member of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption told Kentucky's WJLA news, "It's hard for me to imagine that money can justify or satisfy the individuals who have endured this kind of abuse." His skepticism is valid; the money will serve as a band-aid to cover a wound, but will not heal it.