You might want to reread the articvle the last institutions closed in the early 90’s so this isn’t anything new just another story rehashed. As per the article the abuse was also from “older inmates”.
If the truth be told, all state run orphanages had these problem whether they were religious or not. Our own fostercare system still has the same problem. People who enjoy hurting children gravitate towards working in areas where they can do what they please.
Wouldn’t there be criminal prosecutions for state employees that hid the evidence collected over the years for such abuses?
When the Vatican keeps a running tab on each abuser in power (not the kids hurting kids), keeps them in their position, and keeps it silent, this is grotesquely criminal.
I agree - especially the part about pervs gravitating to where the children are. I don't think the homos wanted to just teach the little boy scouts how to start camp fires.
*Many of the accused are long dead (unable to defend themselves from charges).
*The commission was largely unsuccessful in getting records from the Irish Education Department (no documentary evidence).
*Church/Government agencies were called "uncooperative" if they asked for proof of the allegations.
*there’s a significant monetary motive for presenting unprovable charges ($1.5 billion in government-paid compensation).
Apply those factors to a different hypothetical situation.
Say civilians in Italy, Germany, Korea, Japan, etc. testified that U.S. soldiers abused them 40 - 60 years ago.
Say the accused were long dead; written records were lacking; US agencies which insisted on proof were deemed "uncooperative"; and there were highly publicized funds available to accusers with or without evidence.
Would we, as Americans, assume it was all true, and join in a worldwide chorus condemning U.S. servicemen as depraved monsters?
No?
Interesting.
Some of this is proven: there have been deeply disturbing, damning, criminal admissions. But with the fair judgment that individuals cannot be subjected to "naming and shaming" and penalty without evidence, perhaps all we can demand is God's terrible judgment on those responsible in the past, and far better safeguards in the future.
I hope nobody takes this as a justification for abuse and cover-up --- to any degree whatsoever. If somebody abused my child, I would demand their guts in a Hefty bag.
But by the same token, decent standards of Due Process protect both individuals and institutions from being deprived of "life, liberty, or property" --- or even reputation ---without a fair opportunity to confront the accuser, to demand actual proof, and to present evidence in one's defense. This protects innocent people from being vilified or punished.
The time lapse between the alleged offenses and the investigation renders the ordinary mechanisms of justice either unenforceable or limited in scope.
That's the bitter truth. Let the innocent be free of the smear of collective guilt. Let those for whom incriminating evidence exists, be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And let those whose guilt is unprovable fear the judgment to come.