By Lachlan Forsyth
3 News
April 5, 2010
http://www.3news.co.nz/Catholic-church-must-exorcise-its-demons-NZ-priest/tabid/423/articleID/149581/Default.aspx
NEW ZEALAND -- Father Michael Gielen is part of a new breed of priest.
He says while the Catholic Church must exorcise its demons, the problem of sexual abuse goes well beyond church walls.
"It's a cancer that we have to cut the last, the absolute last bit out," says Father Michael. "And what I ask myself is, 'is it a Catholic problem, or is it the whole of society?' I found myself saying 'whole of society'."
Despite the scandals currently causing the Vatican headaches, he believes the church is more relevant than ever.
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| Father Michael Gilien says while the Catholic Church must exorcise its demons, the problem of sexual abuse goes well beyond church walls |
"We had a record number at mass this weekend – it really surprised me, but the reason we did is because it's simple – you worship the Lord, keep the family in order and everything will fall into place," he says.
New Zealand has had its own abuse scandals – in 2007 Christchurch clergyman Bernard McGrath was imprisoned for abusing boys in the 1970s while two other clergymen escaped trial after an Australian court refused to allow extradition to New Zealand.
Father Michael says while the dark days can't be ignored, there's also a danger of scaring young men from the clergy.
"I've got friends who are teachers in primary schools, principals and they have no male teachers at all – we have to face this as a society, stop pointing the finger at men, at priests, at churches," he says.
Despite that, there is still strong interest in the priesthood.
"We've got young men in our parish right here who are seriously considering becoming a priest," Father Michael says. "They are [interested] because they want to make a difference."
It seems some young clergy are breaking the stuffy stereotype – Father Michael seems less a priest, and more a golfing buddy with a dog collar.
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