Ravenwood - 09/16/02 02:36 PM
Back in the 1980s, there was a nationwide scare about sexual abuse at day care centers. The hysteria led to false accusations of dozens of day care workers nation wide. Some of the trials, as dramatized in the HBO movie Indictment, alleged satanic rituals, animal sacrifices, and widespread organized devil worship. When the smoke had cleared, most defendents were found to be innocent. However, some of the innocent had been held in jail quite a long time without bond, while others had lost their homes and businesses defending the allegations.
Today, the hysteria has moved from day care centers to priests. Undoubtedly, some priests are guilty of sexual abuse, however I have to ask myself, how much of it is just smoke. I did a quick google search this morning, and found that I am not alone in my opinion.
I agree. Remember when Cardinal Mohoney was accused of molestation early on in the pederasty scandal, and it turned out that the woman was a schizophrenic who believed everyone in her life had abused her?
The media reported her accusation before doing even cursory research as to her credibility. I think the same is true with Pell in Austrailia. Much of this scandal is errant hysteria, whether foes of the Church want to admit it or not.
Posted by: Owen Courrèges at September 17, 2002 2:06 AM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
