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	Your View: Most Clergy Sex Abuse Is Not Pedophilia By Edwin S. Zolik Standard-Times May 5, 2008 http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/OPINION/805050334 Dr. Zolick is professor emeritus of psychology, DePaul University, Chicago. He lives in Falmouth. May 05, 2008 6:00 AM Overall The Standard-Times deserves applause and can be proud of its extensive coverage of the pope's visit to the United States, knowing that one cannot be all things to all people. I consider the injection of the celibacy cartoon a play for audience reaction in a community known for its conservatism. Interesting and provocative. However, celibacy is not correlated with sexual abuse of children. The sexual abuse was the result of homosexual rapes and attacks (90 percent) and pedophilia (10 percent) (see "Bless Me Father for I Have Sinned: Perspectives on Sexual Abuse Committed by Roman Catholic Priests," edited by Thomas G. Plante). It is estimated by knowledgeable church officials that homosexuals comprise 30 to 50 percent of Catholic clergy (see "The Changing Face of the Priesthood," by the Rev. Donald Cozzens). One should try to understand why celibacy is an issue for some clergy and laity and why they link it to sexual abuse. While in flight to the United States, the pope said, "I would not speak at this moment about homosexuality, but pedophilia, which is another thing." This delimitation of abuse to the pedophiliacs unfortunately has not been followed up on by the press. Pedophilia cannot be used to cover all sexual abuse as most hierarchs and clerics are prone and desirous to do. The central theme of the pope focused on pastoral care. But in order for bishops to follow the pope's plea, things must change. In April 2003 Cardinal Dulles wrote, "Many bishops are men of ordinary abilities — but incapable of measuring up to the responsibilities of the office. ... As a prime structural problem, therefore, I would single out for special attention the episcopal office. What can be done to restore the priestly and pastoral ministry of bishops to its position of primacy?" A major way would be to put all financial management under lay control, which would provide the currently absent accountability and transparency. With 85 percent of parishes in a Villanova University survey reporting experiencing financial losses, situations such as clerical grand theft like on the Cape, the $8 million in Florida, the million-plus in Connecticut, among many others, would become impossible. What will be the long-range effect of the pope's visit? Minimal is my estimate — little in terms of any change in Catholic colleges and universities. Possibly a few bishops and priests will heed the pope's message to heal and resolve the abuse problem. To do so, they know that they give up the idea of getting the red hat and the priest giving up the possibility of becoming a bishop. The Vatican inner circle is on record in considering the abuse scandal largely a media-driven event and the result of bad advice, primarily from psychiatrists. The pope proclaims, they disclaim. Withholding donations is the only effective way by which the laity can effect change. "Pay, pray and obey" is now "Pray."
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