Abusing Boys Okay, It’s Still Celibacy Priests Say

Apparently some priests do not believe child molestation is in breach of their vows, or their virtue.

Former auxiliary bishop of Sydney, Geoffrey Robinson, says girls are less likely to be sexually abused, as some priests believe their celibacy vows remain intact if it is a boy involved.

“We’ve met it often enough to see it as a factor. That’s what the vow of celibacy refers to, being married. If it’s not an adult woman, then somehow they’re not breaking their vow,” he told the Australian Women’s Weekly.

He says the child sexual abuse epidemic plaguing the Catholic church could’ve been prevented, had women been more included.

“If the feminine had been given greater importance and a much larger voice, the church would not have seen anything like the same level of abuse and would most certainly have responded far better,” he said.

He argues the issue will not be resolved until the church revises its hard-line policies on women, celibacy and sexuality.

In 2007 Robinson told of the sexual abuse he had suffered as a child, although not at the hands of a priest.

That a former senior member of the church would publicly declare this a crisis, and suggest a way forward, is undoubtedly ground-breaking. However, highlighting the downfalls of celibacy and an all male environment, does not even begin to excuse the perversions at play.

Contact the author here: brianna@morningquickie.com