No Sanctions by Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis Against Priests for "Consensual" Sex?

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | April 20, 2006 | John-Henry Westen

[LifeSite News]

The archdiocesan policy on sexual abuse by clergy can be found in a pamphlet posted on the archdiocesan webpage. (http://www.archspm.org/brochure.htm) It defines "Ministry-related sexual misconduct refers to three related forms of misconduct:

- Sexual abuse which is sexual conduct between a church leader and a minor or vulnerable adult. - Sexual exploitation which is sexual contact between a church leader and a person who is receiving pastoral care from the church leader. - Sexual harassment which is unwanted sexual conduct or language between co-workers in the church work setting.

Dr. Pence calls these categories totally inadequate. In the archdiocese, he says, "the disciplining of Catholic clergy in sexual matters has substituted the standards of civil law and notions of consenting adults for the Catholic and canon law standards of obedience to the Sixth Commandment and respect for the Sacraments of Holy Orders and Marriage." He points out also that the definition of sexual exploitation at the office hinges on consent, by saying sexual conduct or language are forbidden only if "unwanted."

The policy of the diocese, says Pence, boils down to "In general, there will be no sanctions for violations of chastity as long as the matter is consensual."

Not so, says the archdiocese's spokesman Dennis McGrath. Asked by LifeSiteNews.com, "So, there would be sanctions for a priest who is in consensual sex outside of these areas?" McGrath replied, "Absolutely".

However, a transcript from court testimony given by Fr. McDonough, seems to contradict the archdiocesan spokesman. In a July 15, 2005 transcript from a case of clergy sexual misconduct, Fr. McDonough explained, "When the matter is consensual generally speaking the priest is not subjected to a sanction but is given pastoral help."