This afternoon, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released its report on the causes of the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests from 1950 through 2010. The study was conducted by the John Jay College Research Team at the request of a National Review Board, which was implemented by the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The report, some 152 pages in length, is “the second of two studies produced by researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice about sexual abuse by Catholic priests.” The first report, the Nature and Scope study, was issued in February 2004 and focused on the extent of the cases involving the abuse of minors by priests.

This most recent study has determined the following:

• There is no single “cause” of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests. However, the report recognizes that there were significant social and cultural changes in the 1960s and 1970s that resulted in greater levels of deviant behavior throughout society, including among Catholic priests.

Cathedral Basilica of Peter and Paul | Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Over the past few weeks, our Catholic brothers and sisters who call Philadelphia home have literally been going through hell. As I am sure most of you are aware, news has emerged in recent weeks of sexual abuse against minors by priests in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

On February 10, 2011, a Philadelphia Grand Jury released a report after investigating allegations that priests and a teacher sexually abused minors. The report recommended charges be filed against those being investigated. It also called for charges against another priest for allegedly covering up the instances of sexual abuse. Furthermore, the Grand Jury advised the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to review and overhaul its procedures for assisting the victims of sexual abuse by priests and removing accused priests from ministry.

As we celebrate the Eucharist this weekend in our parishes, let us remember the Philadelphia church—Cardinal Rigali, priests, deacons, religious, laity—in our thoughts and prayers. Most especially, pray that the victims of sexual abuse may find peace and comfort. Pray for those priests who have been accused of carrying out these heinous acts, that they may realize the hurt caused by their actions and ask for forgiveness.

We pray to you, Lord,
with honest hearts, in tune with one another,
entreating you with sighs and tears,
as befits our humble position — placed, as we are,
between the spiritually weak who have no concern for you,
and the saints who stand firm and upright before you.

We pray that you may soon come to us,
leading us from darkness to light,
oppression to freedom,
misery to joy,
conflict to peace.

May you drive away the storms and tempests of our lives,
and bring gentle calm. We pray that you will care for us,
as a father cares for his children.

Amen.

–Saint Cyprian of Carthage

Over the last several weeks, as has been covered here, there have been allegations that Diocesan and Vatican officials have neglected victims of clerical sexual abuse by allowing priests who have been accused of such atrocities to remain in pastoral ministry. Many people have been calling for the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI for his reported handling of such cases when he was the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Earlier today, the Vatican released the following guidelines that are applicable in all cases of allegations of sexual abuse.

Guide to Understanding Basic CDF Procedures concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations

The applicable law is the Motu Proprio “Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela” (MP SST) of 30 April 2001 together with the 1983 Code of Canon Law. This is an introductory guide which may be helpful to lay persons and non-canonists.

A: Preliminary Procedures

The local diocese investigates every allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a cleric.

If the allegation has a semblance of truth the case is referred to the CDF. The local bishop transmits all the necessary information to the CDF and expresses his opinion on the procedures to be followed and the measures to be adopted in the short and long term.

Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed.

A very good morning to all of you! The Triduum arrives tonight with the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper where we will witness the institution of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.

As we have seen over recent days and weeks, the priesthood is taking a beating by the media as a result of the news of the sexual abuse scandals. As you go about your day, please remember those priests who have touched your life. Thank the Lord for their “yes” to serving His people. If you have the chance, thank those priests personally and let them know how much they have touched your life. Because of recent weeks, that thank you could mean something so much more than usual.

Also, please remember to pray for all the bishops of the Catholic Church who have been given the task of shepherding  the Church through these difficult days. In a special way, pray for Pope Benedict who needs more prayers than usual these days.

This afternoon, I turned on the television to a story on CNN regarding the recent news of the sexual abuse scandals and the concept of priestly celibacy. The person being interviewed said that the requirement for celibacy should be lifted because it would end the issue of sexual abuse by clergy and the number of homosexual priests that are in active ministry. The last claim is totally unfounded–there were no sources for the numbers they were reporting. So I decided that I would go on to Rick Sanchez’s blog (CNN anchor at the time) and leave a comment describing what celibacy is, in the view of someone discerning the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Here is the full extent of my comments:

As someone discerning the priesthood of Jesus Christ, I view celibacy not as a sacrifice; rather, I view celibacy as a gift. Celibacy is a way to make the Kingdom of God present here on earth. If you read Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, you will see that those who choose celibacy for the kingdom share the same vocations to love as those who marry, but manifest this same vocation in a different manner. Furthermore, celibacy is not a rejection of sexuality, but a living out of the deepest meaning of sexuality–union with Christ and his Church (Ephesians 5:31-32).

Celibacy is not the reason for the abuse scandals that have occurred in the Catholic Church over the years. If it was, why do cases of pedophilia and other sexual acts of misconduct occur in churches where celibacy is not a requirement for pastoral ministry?

Over the last few decades, major changes have been made to the application process of becoming a seminarian to discern the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Now, ALL candidates must take an intense psychological evaluation. After an extensive interview process, then members of the diocesan vocations committee decide on either accepting or denying the candidate.