No Report on Church Sex Abuse, by Rhondor Dowlat, Triniday and Tobagos Newsday, March 23, 2010

No Report on Church Sex Abuse

By Rhondor Dowlat
Triniday and Tobago's Newsday
March 23, 2010

http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,117777.html

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO -- POLICE sources yesterday claimed they were unaware of any official report made against any religious organisation or religious leader in this country regarding sex abuse in the church and/or among churchgoers.

Sources added that if any such report is made, it will be investigated promptly. "Providing that what we have gathered in the investigation is strong, we would then compile a report and send the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions who will determine whether any charge would be laid and what they will be charged for," a police source said.

On Saturday last, Pope Benedict XVI issued a pastoral letter to Irish Catholics in which he apologised for the church's handling of cases of child sex abuse in Ireland. The apology was displayed outside the Vatican walls.

Dean Knolly Clarke

On Sunday, local priest Fr Garfield Rochard revealed that there have been unproven reports of child sex abuse at the hands of priests in this country. Speaking on the issue yesterday, Anglican priest Dean Knolly Clarke expressed his sympathy with the Roman Catholic church facing allegations of such abuse and said he would not be pompous and say such abuse cannot happen in the Anglican Church.

He admitted that the Anglican church has a "serious issue" with homosexuality and same sex marriages. Clarke said the Anglican church has issues with whether or not people in same sex marriages can or should be given leadership roles in parishes.

"The issue of homosexuality is rampant and we have had to deal with it. It goes so far as same sex marriages. We, however, in the Caribbean have actually taken a particular position on the issue of whether these people (homosexuals) should be involved in ministry, whether to give them leadership positions in parishes. This is really left to the Bishop of the Anglican Church (to decide)," Clarke said.

With regard to sexual abuse, Clarke said, to his knowledge there have been no recent reports but it can happen in the church. Giving reason for this Clarke said the Anglican clergy are allowed to get married and have children. "What this does is eliminate any temptations. I myself have three children because the clergy allows this and so far, it has worked out fine."

On the topic of chat rooms, Clarke suggested an "intense law" of censorship, "one of the major challenges is pornography and child pornography via the internet. Chat rooms causes and encourages paedophiles and I suggest an intense law of censorship. I do know that the information technology can block out the browser that will show up unhealthy sexual relations".

Clarke gave an example of sting operations in America by police to capture paedophiles and suggested that we do the same here in TT.

If there should be any report of sexual abuse/misconduct, Clarke said the Anglican Bishop will call a special council to have the matter dealt with in a serious manner.