Archbishop links priestly celibacy and Catholic sex abuse scandals

The Archbishop of Vienna today said priestly celibacy could be one of the causes of the sex abuse scandals to hit the Catholic church.

In an article for Thema Kirche, his diocesan magazine, Christoph Schonborn became the most senior figure in the Catholic hierarchy to make the connection between the two and called for an "unflinching examination" of the possible reasons for paedophilia.

He wrote: "These include the issue of priest training, as well as the question of what happened in the so-called sexual revolution.

"It also includes the issue of priest celibacy and the issue of personality development. It requires a great deal of honesty, both on the part of the church and of society as a whole."

Schonborn is not the first person to suggest a link between celibacy and paedophilia – the theologian Hans Kung has made the same assertion.

A spokesman clarified the archbishop's words, insisting he was "in no way" seeking to question the celibacy rule or call for its abolition.

Schonborn's remarks followed further revelations of abuse across Europe, with new incidents coming to light in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, and followed claims by an Italian academic that a greater presence of women in the Vatican could have prevented clerical sexual abuse from taking place.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/11/priestly-celibacy-catholic-sex-scandals

Just maybe the most senior to speak out about it.

the celibacy rule was very attractive to people who were having issues with their sexuality. Subverting the sexual feelings you are feeling (be it homosexualiy or an attraction to those underage) is much easier for some than just dealing with them head-on.

Back in the day I knew so many sisters, brothers, and priests who had entered the religious life who were gay/lesbian and simply could not come to terms with that -- it made me so sad for them. :(

The HOly Roman Catholic church kicked him to the curb for
his 'liberal' views...

quotations:

"If you cannot see that divinity includes male and female characteristics and at the same time transcends them, you have bad consequences. Rome and Cardinal O'Connor base the exclusion of women priests on the idea that God is the Father and Jesus is His Son, there were only male disciples, etc. They are defending a patriarchal Church with a patriarchal God. We must fight the patriarchal misunderstanding of God." — Newsweek interview, July 8, 1991

"Everyone agrees the celibacy rule is just a Church law dating from the 11th century, not a divine command." — Newsweek interview, July 8, 1991

Look out, Archbishop, you're gonna join him at the curb; nobody questions papal infallibility
and gets to keep the mitre.

Well there is an idea!

"a link between celibacy and paedophilia."

The only "link" is that most paedophiles are married men and NOT celibate.

Celibacy has NOTHING to do with paedophilia.

But the nice bishop trys to distract us from the paedophiles who are married to the church...

:eyes:

SATAN

:evilgrin: