Societal Myths About Sexual Misconduct by Priests, Pastors, Ministers, Rabbis and Other Clergy

Revictimization Harms Victims and Their Families

societal myths like "she asked for it" reduce the ability of those close to the victim to validate the trauma of the sexual violation she has endured

societal myths like "it's an affair" cause marital discord if the woman is married; many marriages end in divorce as a result of sexual violation by clergy

societal need to find a scapegoat for the loss of a beloved pastor can cause congregations to re-victimize victims, their spouses, children, and even suspected "whistleblowers"

societal myths lead to retaliation against victims employed in church-related organizations or schools and can result in the loss of employment

societal myths and reactions isolate the victim from her family, congregation, and community

societal myths harm "secondary victims" including the congregation and afterpastors who replace ministers removed for sexual misconduct

Erin Quinn. "Baylor study reveals sexual misconduct by clergy more common than many realize." Waco Tribune-Herald (September 10, 2009).
Diana Garland (lead researcher for the Baylor School of Social Work research project on clergy sexual misconduct) . . . has studied congregational social work for the last 30 years . . . "I got tired of watching congregations destroyed by this," she said. "I got tired of seeing survivors and their families thrown into crisis and lose their communities, and even lose their families." Click here to read more on the Baylor research study.

Learn more about social impacts on victims, their spouses and their families. See "Educating to End Abuse: Our Story"

Lydia Martin and Jaweed Kaleem. "Father Alberto Cutie: Were Cuban spies following me?" Miami Herald (May 13, 2009).
Cutie said he was attracted to his love almost from the moment they met about 10 years ago in church. [They would meet at the rectory where] . . . they spoke about God and the Bible.

Damien Cave. "Celebrity priest says he is torn between Church and girlfriend." New York Times (May 11, 2009).
Father Cutie said he had been in a relationship for the last two years with the woman, identified in news reports as Ruhama Buni Canellis, 35, a divorced mother living in Miami Beach. But he said he had not decided whether to leave her or the priesthood.

Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite. "Real life, real love: Why celibacy needs to go." Washington Post (May 11, 2009).
Let's just be clear, however, that marriage for clergy . . . does not end problems with clergy misconduct. We have plenty of examples in Protestantism of clergy engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships with laity or even other clergy.

Michelle Boorstein. "Straying media priest (Alberto Cutie) sparks debate on clerical celibacy." Irish Times (May 9, 2009).

Tim Padgett. "The Father Cutie scandal: Sex and the single priest." TIME (May 7, 2009).
. . . the Cutie scandal is sure to ratchet up debate over clerical celibacy in the Catholic Church, a spiritual ideal that seems to collide more often today with biological reality.

Kyle Munzenrieder. "Catholic reform in the face of the Father Cutie scandal: Why stop at just celibacy?" Miami New Times (May 7, 2009).

Clark Hoyt. "The Archbishop's Blog." New York Times (November 8, 2009).
"It is not hyperbole to call prejudice against the Catholic Church a national pastime," the archbishop wrote.

Keith Fournier. "Opinion: Fr. Alberto Cutie. The media exploits a fallen priest."Catholic Online (May 12, 2009).

Carl Hiaasen. "Give the poor padre a break." Miami Herald (May 9, 2009).
To banish a priest with Cutie's large following would be ultimately more damaging to the church than to the man. Anticipating such an outcome, local Episcopal leaders already have made it clear that they'd be thrilled to welcome Father Alberto to the fold.