The Gay Question (Catholic Church s current scandal)

National Review ^ | April 22, 2002 | Rod Dreher

[Clint N. Suhks]

ephebophiles -- adults who are sexually attracted to post-pubescent youths, generally aged 12 to 17
pederasty -- practice of anal intercourse with a boy
pedophilia -- sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object

It’s ludicrous to define what degree the perversion is, all are equally and morally the same.

[Dante3]

Are there still demands to admit homosexuals into Boy Scouts?

[GrandMoM]

No, this is chiefly a scandal about unchaste or criminal homosexuals in the Catholic priesthood, and about far too many in Church leadership disinclined to deal with the problem — or, worse, who may in some cases be actively involved in the misconduct.

Since homosexuality in the church has been covered up for so many years, it would result in their ascendancy to bishops, cardinals etc. and of course a welcoming of new young seminarians with which to cultivate their lust.

[LibertarianLiz]

pedophilia -- sexual percersion in which children are the preferred sexual object

I would only edit this definition with the word "prepubesent" in front of the word "children". This is why the scandal is a homosexual scandal, not so much a pedophilia scandal (although Geoghan and Shandley do appear to fit the profile of a pedophile).

[Psalm 73]

"Are there still demands to admit homosexuals into Boy Scouts?"

Sadly, even during this breaking scandal.
That is why the press won't refer to it as a homosexual problem.

[ikanakattara]

I love Rod Dreher's writing, but I disagree with the point that normal heteroseuxal men would never go after teenage boys. The vast majority of heterosexual men would not. However, men who never have sex are NOT the same as women who never have sex, and there *is* such a thing as "situational homosexuality," where some men will basically go after anything that sits still long enough if they are sexually frustrated enough.

[My Identity]

some men will basically go after anything that sits still long enough

Have you seen any reports of a clergyman who sexually abused children, regardless of their gender?

[uncbob]

"We're learning a significant lesson from all this," says Dr. Fitzgibbons. "We have to protect our young. The protection of children and teenagers is more important than the feelings of homosexuals."

Amazing the Boy Scouts seemed to have learned it a lot sooner. Pretty sad

[Clemenza]

there *is* such a thing as "situational homosexuality,"

I have always called it "The Prison Syndrome."

[Bigg Red]

I disagree about the marriage question. I think that if the Church sweeps out the homosexuals and pedophiles, and if respect for priests is restored, there will be an increase in vocations.

[Barnacle]

Indeed, and bravo for the Boy Scouts of America!

As to the Catholic hierarchy, they have made grave mistakes and should be held accountable. But, I have not given up on Catholicism any more than I gave up on America when Clinton was elected to a second term.

[history_matters]

Thank you for the ping.

BUMP!

[robertpaulsen]

The other thread closed, so I'll reply here. You are correct in that the Latin definition for "ephebe" is a young man (derived from "ephebus"), but the Greek definition for "ephebos" is youth.

Check out: Philianews.org

Without such a definition, how would we refer to an older man attracted to a 14 or 15 year old girl (who, I swear, looked 20)? I will agree, however, that almost all of the references I seen for ephebophilia denote a man-boy relationship.

[chatham]

Thanks , very good post by a great writer.

[FormerLib]

...I disagree with the point that normal heteroseuxal men would never go after teenage boys.

I would argue that any man capable of going after a teenage boy is neither normal nor truly heterosexual.

[FormerLib]

Can you source it for me?

I see Clint jumped in on this one for me. Good man.

[FormerLib]

My Identity: (To: FormerLib, male homosexuals are responsible for 70-80% of all cases of sexual abuse of minor children.) I hadn't seen that stat before. Can you source it for me?

No, he cannot.

Sorry Charlie, but it was in post 20. ;-) Nice try and thanks for playing!

[FormerLib]

Dante3: Are there still demands to admit homosexuals into Boy Scouts?

There have never been any such "demands." The BSA is entitled to its (IMO) unfortunate and misguided policy. Likewise, individuals, institutions, public and private entities (including municipalities, et al) are perfectly entitled to THEIR policies as well.

Ahem, perhaps you may have forgotten a certain little lawsuit that attempted to force the Boy Scouts to allow homosexuals to take little boys into the woods, but we certainly have not.

As to the concept that public entities are entitled to THEIR policies, well, if they are going to do so with my tax dollars, I certainly have something to say about the matter.

American society has no place for people such as these deviants and abusers.

God bless the Boy Scouts for the wisdom of their infinitely fortunate and divinely-guided policies that just say NO to these perverts.

[Clint N. Suhks]

Schmidt's book was interesting and engaging… except for Chapter Six, where he embarrassed himself.

Care to share how he embarrassed himself?

(Ummm… (Care to share from which chapter you reference?)

Ummm…page 114 as per the cite reference. Too much fecal consumption gone to your head Mr. Snippy?

I believe, called an hebephile. (It is the male-on-male form of ephebophilia.)

AKA a homosexual or one who practices perversion or madg, you pick.