It is unfortunate that the Record-Bee printed an article such as the recent one by the focus editor, Cynthia Parkhill. It is filled with “me-tooism,” where the only intent seems to be to fan the flames of hate toward the Catholic Church. Her recollection (she was not molested) was of a moment in time some 25 years ago, when a Catholic priest grabbed her neck from the back.
The press can be vindictive and seem to denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have in the United States? They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.
Sexual impropriety among clergy fills us all with shock and disgust. The agony that Catholics feel is caused by a small number of wayward priests. Catholics are reviled by reports of evil done to the most innocent. Punishment is sought by laymen as well as clergy. But care must be taken not to rush to judgment. False accusations are fueled by the thoughts of quick riches.
Pedophiles live among us. Just watch the evening news. They exist in Boy Scout leaders, Little League, schools and wherever children are. This is not only a Catholic problem. What is obvious in cases where Catholic priests are accused is that the potential of large settlements is possible. The church has deep pockets. Who sues the poor? Not long ago there was a civil case where a priest was accused after some 20 years of silence by the alleged victim. The accusation came just coincidentally after the priest inherited money from a relative. Interesting? There was no proof. The court made a judgment based on testimony. Some people assume that others are guilty only because they have been accused. Lives are ruined and the innocent suffer.
A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again, even in the face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving at the hand of journalists looking to fan the flames of prejudice.
The Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students every day at a cost to the church of $10 billion, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of $18 billion. The church has 230 colleges and universities in the United States with an enrollment of 700,000 students. There are 637 Catholic hospitals accounting for treatment of one out of every five people today. It is arguably the most important non-governmental agency in the United States. It also has those deep pockets.
Carol Bohner
Ventura (formerly of Lake County)
