MM, I understand that the Catholic church has a problem. I'm not in any way trying to be an apologist. Defrock 'em , lock em up, case closed. But it seems a little disproportionate in the way the MSM goes after the Catholic chrurch. It is not just the church which has a problem, it's our society in general. but let's face it , long before the current crisis there have been lurid tales of lecherous priests, and nuns going back centuries. but no religion is exempt from sin and depravity. Pedophilia seems to have been a huge problem in the Church of England in the late victorian to early edwardian period. I guess it plays into the hands of those who reflexively hate the Catholic church, and who are just looking for a reason (any reason will do) to tear it down. as a religion and as a society, Catholics have to face up to its problems and confront them. but there is enough stupidity in the human race to go around, and Catholics have no corner on sin and depravity.
/rant> CC
"But it seems a little disproportionate in the way the MSM goes after the Catholic chrurch. It is not just the church which has a problem, it's our society in general."
I agree with you that the problem of child sexual abuse is a nationwide problem, and in all walks of life.
As for the massive amount of press that the Catholic priests got, I think that was primarily due to so many stories coming out all at once, each triggering other stories.
Many of the stories involved long-past abuses, now come to light. I've never believed that the Catholic church was worse than any other organization, religious or otherwises, where adults come into close contact with youngsters.