There is an interesting item on Andrew Sullivan's blog linking to an article for Catholic Online written by Republican Senator Rick Santorum, who is well known for his homophobia and ultra-conservatism. Santorum blames the priest pedophilia scandal on, you guessed it, liberalism.
Priests, like all of us, are affected by culture. When the culture is sick, every element in it becomes infected. While it is no excuse for this scandal, it is no surprise that Boston, a seat of academic, political and cultural liberalism in America, lies at the center of the storm.Maybe this is going out on a limb, but I bet the fact that Boston is the biggest city in Massachusetts—one of only two states in the U.S. with a majority-Catholic population (the other being tiny Rhode Island)—has a little something to do with it.
Santorum gets extra God-hates-fags points for blaming the "sickness" of our culture on the fact that media and academic elites "have zealously promoted moral relativism by sanctioning 'private' moral matters such as alternative lifestyles," thus implicitly equating homosexuality with pedophilia. Way to go, Rick! I wonder how someone who believes in Hell could think and say such things.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Tan The Man
I don't even know where to begin with that?! It helps prove that senators are dumb. I guess. Where to begin?
2 - Silas Kain
Maybe this is going out on a limb, but I bet the fact that Boston is the biggest city in Massachusetts "one of only two states in the U.S. with a majority-Catholic population (the other being tiny Rhode Island)"has a little something to do with it.
Give me a break. How would a gay couple threaten Senator Santorum's marriage? Is he afraid that he'll be solicited and recruited to hop on over to the dark side? Is he fearful of the fact that his wife may be tempted to experience the love that dare not speak its name? The people of Pennsylvania should be outraged by Senator Santorum's continuous attack on anything liberal. He is so indoctrinated in his conservative views thanks to his Roman Catholic upbringing that he doesn't see that the world isn't always black and white.Good point. Being a native of the area, I would have to agree that the high concentration of Roman Catholics has something to do with it. Senator Santorum's constant ridicule of liberalism stokes the fires of division rather than seek concrete answers to basic problems confronting our society. As I have stated in the past, I do not hold the Roman Catholic Church entirely at fault. The Church hierarchy has always enjoyed a 'special' relationship with political officials and police departments. The Church by virtue of its rules on celibacy and sexuality attracted many troubled Catholic males to the refuge of the Seminary. Having seen first hand the decadent lifestyle of many a priest, I can say without question that the special bond between the Church and State protected the Church from scandal. Senator Santorum is naive to believe that liberalism is the root of the problem.
There is an interesting commentary in today's issue of The Age whereby the writer talks about the hypocrisy of life in Washington, DC. It's distressing to think that I have to rely on the foreign press to give me information that hasn't been filtered through some kind of publicist machinery. One such paragraph that stands out is:
Senator Santorum is one of these self-righteous politicians who appeals to the Christian evangelical base by using keywords to stir them up. He attacks homosexuality and gay marriage with the vigor of a Muslim attacking Judaism. When Terri Schiavo lay dying in a Florida Hospice recently, Santorum headed down to the Sunshine State to express his support for the Schindlers. He said in an interview that Terri Schiavo was a disabled person being executed. Give me another break. What the hell is wrong with this man who is supposed to represent the working men and women of Pennsylvania? This is the same man who equated Democrat parliamentary procedures "the equivalent of Hitler in 1942."
Senator Santorum and his wife home school their six children. That says a lot about his faith in public education. A school district in Pennsylvania had paid about $70,000 for the education of a few of Santorum's children through a cyberschool. Once officials questioned their residency (Santorum and family live in Virginia), Santorum abruptly pulled them out of the cyberschool and began home schooling. Senator Santorum talks a good game. On Senator Santorum's website he talks about his passion for the family:If Senator Santorum were that committed to building a culture of life and a civilization of compassion he wouldn't resort to the tactics he uses to solidify his ultra right wing base. Santorum calls amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriages is "common sense." Santorum is staunchily anti-abortion. One stem cell research he said, "The scientific community has a long history of using sympathetic cases to make arguments for unethical scientific research." This is coming from the man who serves with Senator Arlen Specter from his home state and has been the victim of Hodgkin's disease. Though Santorum tries to portray himself as a Reagan Republican he is much further to the right. As conservative as he is, he enjoys the support of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society of the United States.
Senator Santorum serves on the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Senate Committee on Finance; and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. He also serves on the Senate Special Committee on Aging. At the end of the First Quarter, 2005, Senator Santorum had $2.8 million in his campaign warchest. In May 2005, the American Health Care Association donated $9,000 to the campaign. Other current contributors include the political action committees of: Bank of America, Boeing, Cardinal Health, Inc., Eli Lilly & Company, Home Depot, MBNA Corporation, RJ Reynolds, Smith Klein Beecham and Yahoo! Santorum is also a member of the "K Street Project" which is a sinister cabal of right wing Republicans committed to eradicating Democrats from Washington's famous 'K Street' lobbying organizations and filling them with Republican sympathizers. Senator Santorum may appeal to the voters as a man of morality and ethics, but under the sheep's clothing resides a politician who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
3 - John Bambenek
And what would be the correct thing to blame this on?
4 - Aaman
Individual failings, and a culture of cover-ups
5 - Silas Kain
That's exactly it, Aaman. The priests failed on an individual basis and Church hierarchy and the political system covered it up. Government officials who had knowledge of any act upon a minor are just as culpable as the bishops.
6 - Aaman
Silas, I'm not sure if you're a blogcritic, but that comment would be a good post
7 - PseudoErsatz
A citizen of a state that continuously elects Ted Kennedy to the Senate has no right to cast stones at another...
This may be a news flash to you, but Mr. Sullivan is not exactly the prototype of neutrality and good intentions. You may want to check what's under the lettuce of the forkful of his poison you're swallowing.
8 - PseudoErsatz
Intelligence test: You all know the answer to these questions. Let's hope you have the courage to admit it to yourself:
1) Between Christian Catholic and non-church going population, pedophilia will statically be higher is what group?
2) If you were a member of the media, which group would you be more interested in reporting about: Catholic priests who abuse, or non-churched people who abuse?
9 - Bennett
Aaman, I agree that Silas should post the comment.
What say you good sir?
10 - Nick Jones
1. I have no idea.
2. Catholic priests, because they are supposedly held to a higher standard.
11 - Nick Jones
Go here for David Savage's proposed definition of "santorum". (WARNING: rather raunchy adult humor.)
12 - Silas Kain
I have posted it. Thanks for the encouragement.
By the way, insofar as pedophilia is concerned it is interesting to note that about twice as many acts of pedophilia are committed on the opposite sex rather than same sex. Why is it, however, that we are predisposed to believe that homosexuals are the exclusive predators?
13 - Pete Blackwell
Pseudo, thanks for the condescending "news flash." As you'd see if you read my post, I found the link to the Santorum article on Sullivan's blog. I quoted Santorum, not Sullivan, so, bizarre references to lettuce aside, your insinuatingly homophobic comment is irrelevant.
By the way, a priest ordained into the holy service of helping to save the souls of mankind who turns out to be a child-raper is way more relevant as a news story than if it's some random guy down the street.
Nick, I think it's Dan Savage, author of the "Savage Love" column, who proposed a filthy new definition for Santorum.
14 - John Bambenek
But Pseudo does make a good point, not that one should be apologetic for the actions of bad priests but only 1 percent of priests in the past 50 years were ACCUSED of anything.
Studies have shown that 10% of ALL school children suffered some kind of sexual assault during the school years at school.
Studies have also shown that the number of accusations of bad stuff by priests in 50 years in 50 states is equal to the number of estimated cases of child rape cover up by Planned Parenthood in Illinois alone in 2000 alone.
15 - gonzo marx
Pseudo sez..
*A citizen of a state that continuously elects Ted Kennedy to the Senate has no right to cast stones at another..*
that little statement wins you today's Insidious Troglodyte Award ..not only does it demonstrate you have the empathy and compassion of a rabid pitbull on crack, but it also raises some Questions as to Mit Romney's bid for '08...you know, the GOP governor of Mass that you just lumped in there with you hyperbolic over generalizing hate speech
nicely done..and enjoy your Award..
Sloop John B. sez...
*Studies have shown that 10% of ALL school children suffered some kind of sexual assault during the school years at school.*
and
*Studies have also shown that the number of accusations of bad stuff by priests in 50 years in 50 states is equal to the number of estimated cases of child rape cover up by Planned Parenthood in Illinois alone in 2000 alone.*
where are these studies to be found?
i am curious if what you are calling "child rape" in the second statement doesn't include the classic "girls under the age of consent" fallacy, but i am more than willing to look at any decent research on the topic to check it out
as for the "priests" bit..very difficult to prove numbers when dealing with any major church..especially one with the ability to not only cover things up, but able to threaten to excommunicate the faithful parents if they speak up
point to note here , gentle Readers...the current Pope is the one across whose desk ALL the accusations of at least the last 10 years have travelled...including Cardinal Law's travails...
in many Nations, including our own, many of the things done by the Vatican on this matter woudl have the "german Shepard" brought up on at least Obstruction of Justice charges...
as for Santorum...far too easy a target, i'll gladly leave it for others to have some Fun with...
Excelsior!
16 - John Bambenek
Gonzo-
As far as the schools, I saw that figure in the media about a year ago... I'd have to google to try and find it.
As far as PP, I have the text, I don't think it's online on a free site... but I'll be honest, while it does you either PP data, or census data, it was done by pro-lifers, so you'll just discount it anyway. I'm working on refreshing the data for 2004, and that I will publish. You can take a look, or I could post links, of just straight up abortion numbers in most states and see in some states girls as young as 10 get abortions. There is no sex with a 10 year old that's not illegal.
PP's own studies show, younger the girl, older the lover, which is also commonly known. Usually younger the girl, more often its a family member.
Yes, it is mostly under age of consent, but the priesthood thing involved mostly teen boys, if you want to talk demographics. The numbers were based on people who had come forward or approached the Church because those records have since been publicly audited.
There is a problem, for which I do have sympathy. How do you try these cases? Even in the criminal system. It is not an unknown phenomona for people to claim a priest raped them to get the shut up. Cardinal Bernadin was accused and exonerated because the story didn't map up to where he was at the time. Not saying accusations are all false, but to assume some accusations might not pan out...
Do you bong ever priest who's accused? Well then it's pretty easy to shut up a priest you don't like then, isn't it?
17 - Nick Jones
Pete, I stand corrected.
18 - John Bambenek
Gonzo-
Found something about sex abuse in schools, but a different study that shows a little worse numbers...
19 - Nick Jones
"Do you bong ever priest who's accused?"
I've never smoked a priest of any kind. What's it like?
20 - Matt
Isn't that study 11 years old?
Secondly, I think, as a Roman Catholic myself, that it is completely lame to to compare priests to the general population or teachers or anyone else except priests. These men are supposed to be acting as disciples of Christ. Rectories are not supposed to be houses of horrors.
21 - gonzo marx
ok..latest info is from a prosecuting lawyer in '94..and is anecdotal based upon their own experience..
it does cite a study done in 1991, some decent data there
but all of it is colored by the "salem witch trial" syndrome...the actual cases of evidentiary proceedings, or even criminal charges are much smaller than what you state
good food for thought, but hardly satisfactory on it's own...worth digging into more tho, thanks for the link
i think it is the stench of hypocrisy that taints allegations against priests so much...to a lesser extent with educators...but very similar, both in the violation of trust as well as the "salem witch trial" syndrome
most of the work i am familiar with shows that the vast majority of underage kids is with other underage kids
and a disturbing section within the abused child's own family, hence why many organizations cite privacy and protection of the minor as reasons for NOT doing more than performing medical services
no really good answers here to be had easily...each person will filter alot of this data via the Lens of their own Perception
but none of it changes the Fact that Santorum is a schmuck for the Post's title statement...among others
your mileage may vary
Excelsior!
22 - John Bambenek
Matt-
They aren't, but it's important to point of those priests are EXCEPTIONS, not the rules.
23 - Silas Kain
Pseudo spouts: A citizen of a state that continuously elects Ted Kennedy to the Senate has no right to cast stones at another...
For the record, I did vot vote for Teddy in the last two elections. But to demonize the entire commonwealth for sending Kennedy to Congress is a bit over the top. It's like branding Georgia a rogue state for sending Zel Miller. Before people in other states cast stones at us, it's best they look inside their closets. I'll bet yours is loaded with skeletons.
24 - gonzo marx
but Silas, they NEVER look into their "closets"
too many live there...not to mention relatives...
Citizen Cohn was just on earlier, i may be a bit bitter at the moment
Excelsior!
25 - Pete Blackwell
John,
I don't dispute the 10% figure for schools, but I bet that a good percentage of that comes from kids being abused by other students as opposed to teachers. The teacher-on-student abuse would be the only relevant corollary in this discussion.
Speaking of relevant, you seem to instinctually want to change the subject when we talk about priests raping boys. You want to steer the conversation to Planned Parenthood or the public schools. Neither are up for discussion, here. The subject is priests raping underage boys.
Of course, like you, I don't accept any level of child abuse. I just don't get why you're changing the subject.