Scholar Addresses Clerical Abuses

The Loyolan
January 24, 2013

http://www.laloyolan.com/news/scholar-addresses-clerical-abuses/article_5430dcec-65ef-11e2-99f4-0019bb30f31a.html


Dr. C. Colt Anderson, the Fordham University Dean of the Graduate School of Religion, presented a talk on “Lessons of History: What Can the Church of the Middle Ages Teach Us about the Modern Sex-Abuse Scandal?” this past Wednesday in Ahmanson Auditorium. He spoke with the Loyolan before the event.

Jenna Andou (JA): If a priest from a century ago learned about the realities of sexual abuse in the Church today, what would they say?

C. Colt Anderson (CA): They would probably say that they had similar problems. If you study Church history, you can see that these problems have always been around – they get worse and they get better.

JA: How would you define modern sexual abuse?

CA: I would use St. Peter Damian’s category – he says that sexual abuse is spiritual incest. It is a similar betrayal, but it is even worse because the priest’s role is supposed to be someone of absolute trust.

JA: What is the connection between sex abuse scandals and religion? What role does faith play here?

CA: Faith can play a role in helping people cope, and it can also guide people towards reforming the system from this kind of abuse. This kind of abuse is an aberration which comes from a misinterpretation of tradition.

The tradition is that we are a visible, organic society on earth, so the same rules that govern another society apply to the church as well. It is important that we enforce our own standards.

JA: Do you believe that sexual abuse can be forgiven?

CA: I believe that people can repent and they can be forgiven. However, I don’t believe that such people, in terms of clergy, should ever be allowed to have a position of authority ever again. There is no second chance because the chance that you are taking is too great.

JA: What are your thoughts on the Los Angeles Archdiocese case where Cardinal Roger Mahony and other church leaders have been accused of covering up a sex abuse scandal committed by priests in the 1980s?

CA: We, as a Church, have always had the notion and taught people that the priests are perfect and to be trusted always. This is part of what laid the conditions for the scandal. When you read the Scriptures, we are told to be discerning of leadership. … We gave too much authority to leaders even though the Scripture warns us about these kind of problems. I believe that is part of what has led to so many people falling away from the Church. …It is the job of the bishop to protect people and not teaching people to be discerning is considered a failure.

JA: How do you think that the situation would have been perceived had he come out and addressed that this happened?

CA: It would have been perceived completely differently. People expect that there are going to be problems, but they don’t expect it to be covered up. They want problems to be dealt with. That is why you have bishops.