Vatican IX

There is a slight suggestion that the Vatican may be finally getting the message. In recent days, the resignations of two bishops in Ireland have been announced. This is significant because they join Cardinal Bernard Law of the U.S. in resigning, not because they were accused of abuse themselves, but because they failed to deal with the situation appropriately. That is, they were part of what Bishop Moriarty called the "culture of secrecy" in the church. In resigning, he has issued a genuine apology for not challenging the culture that he found when he first became a bishop.

There was also more bad news coming from Chile concerning the Rev. Fernando Karadima, who is so revered by parishioners that some call him "a living saint." Four men have filed criminal charges against the 80 year old priest, alleging that he sexually molested them in secret for years. One man had reported the abuse to the superiors seven years ago, but no action was ever taken.

This case will present a severe test for the church; and, in fact, Cardinal Bertone, second only to the pope in the Vatican hierarchy, spent six days in Chile last week. Karadima is held in such high regard that many parishioners and clergy refuse to believe the charges could be true. And yet the stories reported in the New York Times from interviews with the victims have the ring of truth.

All the more so because they begin with the boys having utter respect and trust in the priest. One of the them, who had been chosen by Father Karadima at 17 to be in a youth movement, said that he had worshiped the priest. He was his confessor, his spiritual adviser, his father figure. "I felt like I had been chosen by God. He was God's representative over me." Now a surgeon, he says that Father Karadima began kissing him on the mouth and patting his genitals; then when it became frankly sexual, "I was paralyzed, frozen."

Another man says his abuse began in the confessional after he told the priest he was confused about his sexuality. "This man had total power over me. I just wanted to commit suicide." He says Father Karadima's transgression with his young followers was an open secret. Both men have needed psychotherapy to help them deal with the trauma and finally to be able to take action against the priest.

These are typical stories of abuse by priests who exploit their young charges' trust and respect for them, coerce them into continuing the sexual activity, and then intimidate them from telling anyone. Even when they do try to tell, far too often nothing is done. That is the "culture of secrecy" that the church now has to answer for.

Ralph