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	Study Blames '60s Sexual Revolution for Catholic Church Abuse By Tom Negovan WGN May 19, 2011 http://www.wgntv.com/wgntv-preist-scandal-story-may18,0,6301873.story [with video] Blame it on Woodstock? It might be an oversimplification--but a comprehensive new study of sexual abuse by priests is pointing at societal factors as a major cause. The 152 pages report it points away from the factors most commonly associated with priest abuse in the Catholic Church. State Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, who has chaired the National Review Board of the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops, said she's pleased with the report's findings, that they mirror earlier research and that at the very least, this close examination of the issue is raising awareness about all instances of sexual abuse. The largest study ever on the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church cites poor oversight and preparation combined with the sexual turmoil of the 60's and 70's as part of the cause and points away from celibacy and homosexuality. The study's findings include that priest abusers are similar to sex offenders in the general population, that they were not 'pedophile priests" - meaning most did not target any particular type of victim -and that homosexual priests were not more likely to commit abuse but simply had greater access to boys than girls. The study commissioned by America's Roman Catholic bishops was five years in the making and cost nearly $2 million dollars. Critics and abuse victims are quick to pounce on its failure to find a more comprehensive answer than the "Woodstock Explanation," which has been floated by some within the church since the abuse scandal broke in 2002. The Archdiocese of Chicago used the occasion of the report's release to repeat its concern for the welfare of victims and to urge any more to come forward, saying in a statement, "That it has a long-standing practice of reaching out to all victims of misconduct by clergy to resolve their claims in a just, compassionate and respectful way." But critics point to the case of convicted west side priest Daniel McCormack as proof of a gap in accountability.
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