Flynn: the Church Must Fix This, and It Will

By Raymond L. Flynn
Boston Herald
January 18, 2014

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/2014/01/flynn_the_church_must_fix_this_and_it_will

Vatican representative Archbishop Silvano Tomasi’s testimony yesterday before the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child was painful for all to hear. It is depressing to learn about the sexual abuse of children and there is no explanation that is acceptable.

This is a crime and as many people have said, this is a matter for law enforcement authorities to prosecute, not church officials. The pain that these children and their parents experience defies explanation. The only resolution is full disclosure and transparency. Church leaders owe this to the public and the good name of the overwhelming majority of decent and faithful priests.

Pedophile priests have been a problem for many years and only a fundamental change in church policy can put this problem behind the church. Nobody wants to see swift and decisive action more than faithful Catholics. This is not just a matter of forgiveness, but of justice and the protection of children.

Catholics have always felt that such a serious and sensitive matter as sexual abuse of children could not be effectively dealt with in-house by church personnel. The process must be more open and accountable to the public and press. Until that happens, we will continue to hear about these shocking revelations. A more sexually permissive society is no excuse for even one case of sexual abuse of a child by a priest.

We all know many concerned professionals who could conduct a thorough investigation of this problem, and make serious recommendations as to the steps necessary to once and for all end it.

The church must first examine the seminary admission policy and make serious personnel changes. If a man cannot make a complete commitment to God and church policies, then he ought not be a priest. Seminary staff should be strident on such a promise. Yes, we have a shortage of priests, but we must insist on good and faithful priests.

I am convinced that the worst is behind us and that Pope Francis and leaders such as Cardinal Sean O’Malley will lead the church and Catholics to greater heights. I am both hopeful and proud of their leadership. But it will also take our prayers and our support to convince other Catholics not to lose faith.

We must always remember all the wonderful things the many good priests, nuns and the church do for the poor, needy and society. And we must always believe that with God, all things are possible.

Raymond L. Flynn is the former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican and former mayor of Boston.