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" can 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" can 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"

Licensed clinical social worker Teresa Works, of Community Mental Health Affiliates of New Britain, explains this reaction: "In congregations, where trust is essential, people often just want the problem, or anyone who reminds them of it, to go away." Quoted in James Craven, "Victim recounts clergy abuse in Southington," New Britain Herald (January 15, 2009).

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

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

Diana Garland 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." Quoted in Erin Quinn, "Baylor study reveals sexual misconduct by clergy more common than many realize," Waco Tribune-Herald (September 10, 2009). Click here to read more on the Baylor research study.

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

"The religious community should be a place where people, especially those in crisis, find comfort and support," said Dr. Randel Everett, the Executive Director and CEO of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. "When a religious leader abuses the power or trust vested in them through sexual misconduct, it results in multiple sufferers. First the victim herself, then her whole family system, and eventually the congregation and the community." Quoted in Baylor press release: "Largest National Study of Clergy Sexual Misconduct with Adults: More Common Than Previously Thought, Occurs Across Denominations and Religions" (September 9, 2009).

David Quinn. "Therapy led to soaring abuse rate in Irish Church." The Times (UK) (March 19, 2010).
… two of the chief culprits are held to be canon law and the rule of celibacy. … In fact, no evidence has ever been advanced to show that celibates who look after children are more likely to be abusers than non-celibates who look after children.

Josh Jerga. "Celibacy vow ruled ‘cruel and archaic’." AAP (February 24, 2010).
The vow of celibacy imposed on Catholic clergy is "cruel" and "archaic", a judge has said in jailing a priest for grooming a 13-year-old girl for sex over the internet. … In handing down the sentence, Judge Allan Hughes said the Catholic Church's vow of celibacy for priests may have led Fuller to become sexually frustrated.

Timothy Radcliffe. "Reflection: Towards a humble Church." Anglican Media [www.melbourne.anglican.com.au] (January 5, 2010).
This terrible crisis of sexual abuse is deeply linked to the way that power can corrupt human relationships, which is why it touches all the Churches … Celibacy is not, I believe, the source of the crisis, otherwise it would be the case that Catholic priests have a higher rate of offence, which, it seems, we do not.

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).

Richard Owen . "Bishop Giacomo Babini blames Jews for attacks on Pope." The Times (UK) (April 12, 2010).
Monsignor Giacomo Babini, the Bishop Emeritus of Grossetto, was quoted by the Italian Roman Catholic website Pontifex as saying he believed a "Zionist attack" was behind the criticism of the Pope, given that it was "powerful and refined" in nature. Bishop Babini denied he had made any anti-Semitic remarks.

Rachel Zoll. "Analysis: Abuse crisis in Europe much like US 2002." New York Times (April 5, 2010).
In 2007, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Paprocki, a civil and canon lawyer and deputy to Chicago Cardinal Francis George, said "none other than the devil" was behind the unending litigation.

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 (Timothy Dolan) 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.