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Attracted to the Priesthood? |
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By Miles Christian Daniels
 As our U.S. cardinals sat in Rome this week, we at home had hoped for a
feasible resolution -- a cure to bring an end to this national plague. But
though the Pope used hard language in condemning sexual abuse, calling it both
a sin and a crime, he failed to address the real issue: Why are so many
pedophiles attracted to the priesthood?
Over the past several weeks, I've heard dozens of Catholic Church experts and priests try to put their finger on the 'why' behind priest pedophilia. And in their honest attempt to understand the issue, two key terms - homosexuality and celibacy - have been at the forefront of discussion. But the scandal still rocking the Catholic Church is much deeper. Studies prove there is simply no correlation between homosexuality and pedophilia. Heterosexuals too can be pedophiles. Both male and female victims are coming forward to tell their stories. And if we truly believe lifting the celibacy vow will help, think again. While the priesthood pool may deepen, lifting the celibacy vow will not eliminate pedophiles. So, to understand the "why," one must understand the nature of the priesthood and all religious ministry. We must also clarify an important issue -- pedophilia is in a league of its own. There are principally two types of priests. First are those who wish to serve both God and fellowman. These men devote themselves to spiritual leadership, and sacrifice much in the process. I've met many of these priests and - without hesitation - would trust them alone with children. Both their psychological and spiritual slates are pure. Then, there are those who see the priesthood as a potential haven for their own deliverance. These men have spent the better part of their lives wrestling with these once secret, now-headline issues. The priesthood -- for them --is a place of boundaries. And because self-consecration is the underpinning of the priesthood, this occupation is also one of personal hope. Through self-consecration, self is completely denied, and a total surrender of both body and soul is offered to God. In return, there is the hope that God will keep priests both pure and consecrated. But pedophilia is not a spiritual evil. It is a psychological malfunction. The church, though, still maintains its track record of making "good vs. evil" issues out of both physiological and psychological conditions. For this reason, the church continues to attract those wrestling with deep-rooted, personal issues. It was, and still is, a place where transformation is promised. Take that promise a step further, and one soon realizes the ministry's appeal.
The allure, in my case, was not service to others, but the deliverance of myself. I knew the issue of homosexuality was fixated. But acting on the "temptation" was the great sin. No I am not a pedophile, but yes I did feel damaged. And went into the ministry for personal transformation.
And its perpetrators are flocking into the priesthood in hopes that through self-consecration, they will be cured. Some good did come from the Vatican meeting this week. The Pope strongly condemned those who sexually abuse minors. And U.S. cardinals, though sidestepping their 'zero tolerance' tease, did make it easier to remove priests guilty of "serial" sexual abuse of minors. But now that we know what to do with those who have committed these "sins and crimes," the next big question is how to stop them from coming in. But if we continue to clump homosexuality and celibacy together with pedophilia, we will continue to have wounded children in our midst. Miles Christian Daniels is a syndicated columnist and documentary filmmaker. Write him at P.O. Box 28006, Wilmington, N.C. 28407, or by e-mail at mcd5024@uncwil.edu. |
Miles Christian Daniels 