[BlackVeil]

It is very worrying. But it is relevant that other offenses are overlooked by society - the status of the church as an institution makes such cases visible. The truth is, that in a country the size of the US, hundreds of men are charged with such crimes every week (and 100s more transgress without being charged) but there are no high-profile million dollar damage claims. It all goes unreported. One could create media stories which would blacken the name of the medical profession, or teachers, by using these tactics. It is a matter of perception.

[Happygal]

Well, I'm in Ireland...and while, of course there are sex abuse cases outside of the clergy, the high proliferation of such cases in small communities like mine is frankly, quite staggering.

Of course, I live in the Diocese of Ferns in Ireland which was blighted by one of the creepiest of pedophilic, manipulating bastards (pardon my use of language, but I can't think of an alternative for him), Fr. Sean Fortune. (His infamy has been reported across the globe, and a documentary about his victims resulted in the resignation of Bishop Brendan Comiskey earlier this year).

[MadIvan]

I think we are more shocked by it in the Church because we think of it as being an institution that is close to God. Now we know in reality that priests are human beings and prone to being just as faulty, diabolical and evil as other human beings. But it comes as a shock nonetheless.

Regards, Ivan