Unfortunately experience has shown that most Catholic apologists here will only compare to teachers, Protestant ministers or in some way try to show that it's no worse with Catholic priests than general society. Generally not any acknowledgement whatsoever that the systemic problems within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church runs deep and has been going on for decades.
The pedophile protectors will go much farther than that.
You see, the greatest tragedy of all would be if a priest knew of a crime...and damaged his reputation for secrecy by intervening to protect the victim.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3227423/posts
Read this thread.
I will defend my faith, but not these priests. There is no excuse for hiding the abusers, moving them around so they could continue their heinous deeds. I hold all pedophiles in the same regard. I want ALL of them to be punished.
I personally know 3 men who were sexually abused as children by priests. The youngest one is the only one who came forward soon after the abuse. His abuser was jailed for a while, then was defrocked once he got out. The young man is doing relatively well, thank the Lord!
The other two kept their secret for decades, and it harmed them greatly. They became either dysfunctional or perverse themselves. Their families have been ruined by the things these perverts did to them. They have suffered greatly. To my knowledge, neither one of them pressed charges. I so wish they would have, but I’m not the one who can. I keep them in my prayers.
Still, I truly believe that there are many, many good priests. I have struggled with my Catholic faith, but Jesus is faithful and has seen me through many troubled times. I rely on Him.