“Those are the figures for the US, BTW.”
Odd, I thought the idea of ‘catholic’ was ‘universal’. What’s that chart look like for Africa, Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, etc, etc, etc...
That America may be ahead of the curve doesn’t mean the curve no longer exists. That American jurisprudence might be more supportive of victims, doesn’t mean victims don’t exist in areas where culturally, legally and practically it is more difficult (in some cases impossible) for victims to come forward.
For this chart to be presented as evidence that the problem is solved reinforces the concerns of a ‘circle the wagons’ mentality that DOES “look like a problem that is ‘continuing’ or ‘out of control’”.
If the church has the US problem under control, while still trying to pretend it wasn’t as serious as it was, then she should refrain from self-congratulatory back slaps and get on with ferreting out the problem in the rest of the world.
I’ll agree with Catholics on one point; priestly celibacy isn’t the problem. It’s the vile perverse manner in which these criminals posing as priests violated their vows of celibacy that are the problem. And I for one cannot understand why, other than to protect financial assets, and perhaps a distorted if not criminal ‘good old boys’ network, the church would try to cover for these criminals unless they had some idea of how widespread the problem really is, and no stomach for the moral and fiscal responsibility they face worldwide.
Thanks for inadvertently making my point.
Will Wallace
There isn't one that I'm aware of. That's because up until about 5 years ago, 80% of the reported cases in the entire world were in the US. (Once again, the US leads the world!! Hooray!!) Hence, the chart is not an attempt to hide anything. It's simply reflects the available data at that time. However, if a chart does become available, I'll be sure to ping you.
That America may be ahead of the curve doesn’t mean the curve no longer exists.
Who said the problem "no longer exists"?? In fact, I'd be very interested to see the reaction of the naysayers if the Church did report zero cases. Would the reaction be "that's wonderful", or would it be one of incredulity and disbelief due to the undoubted difficulty of eradicating this problem entirely?
That American jurisprudence might be more supportive of victims, doesn’t mean victims don’t exist in areas where culturally, legally and practically it is more difficult (in some cases impossible) for victims to come forward.
The chart has nothing to do with American jurisprudence. The vast majority of the cases occurred in the '60s, '70s and '80s, long before the sex scandals broke in this country. This coincides precisely with a period of great upheaval within the Church.
For this chart to be presented as evidence that the problem is solved reinforces the concerns of a ‘circle the wagons’ mentality that DOES “look like a problem that is ‘continuing’ or ‘out of control’”.
Never seen that chart before?? Did it surprise you? Hard data is a pain, aint it? Sorry about that.
Can you find nothing positive to say about it? Don't see any positive trends? Nothing to suggest that things are improving??
Figures. That tells me plenty about your faux "I'm just trying to be fair" facade.
However, let's just say for argument's sake that the graph is not "A" shaped. Let's say it's "U" shaped and is now rising logarithmically. If the graph which I showed above is evidence that the problem is "out of control", what would you have to say about a graph which was inverted? Hmmmmmmmm???
Anyway, FWIW, the chart is not being put forward as "evidence that the problem is solved". It shows the data for the US, where the majority of cases were/are located and it demonstrates two things.
1)There was a period when sexual abuse cases peaked and that period has now passed. Numbers have declined dramatically. Before the problem can be "solved" (whatever the criteria are for that), the number of cases first must decline, right? And the graph shows that.
2) Something is being done and the problem is far from "out of control". Figures released a couple of weeks ago again show that the numbers of cases are at the lowest level since data was made publicly available. Good news, right? No?
If the church has the US problem under control, while still trying to pretend it wasn’t as serious as it was, then she should refrain from self-congratulatory back slaps and get on with ferreting out the problem in the rest of the world.
Not sure what you mean by this.
Over the period covered by the graph (1950s-2000s), 4% of US priests were accused of sexual misconduct. That's serious, for sure. However, the number for the past decade would be well south of 1%, I believe. This is not a subject for celebration. One case is one too many. However, the point here is to show that the problem is being addressed.
Only someone who is incapable of reading a graph or who is in default attack mode would say otherwise.