DETROIT (MI)
Detroit Free Press
Aug. 19, 2018
Archbishop Allen Vigneron demonstrates that he does not fully understand the priest sex abuse problem.
By bringing up the spiritual and moral failings of the priests and bishops involved, his focus on breaking the vow of celibacy and not living within the call of chastity is off base. The sexual abuse of minors is a violent crime, one that steals innocence from a child and many times robs them of healthy sexual relationships as adults.
Why is it a more severe crime when the perpetrators are priests? By their authority within a parish these abusers grossly misuse power and trust. They also damage the victim’s image of God. God sides with the victims, of this I am sure. Yet, one can’t help but see how this would harm the victim’s ability to connect with a church community and sour the victim’s idea of a loving and compassionate God. Many victims struggle with depression and some have resorted to suicide.
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