Naturally, something to be considered prior to one's action(s), eh?
Although seeing how the RCC views suicide?
I'm skeptical these people were doing what they were for the right reasons, anyway.
Having said that?
Who's to say these 16 "priests" -- one per year since 1986 -- were not people suffering various degrees of mental illness which would account for at least some of these suicides?
Aside from the mental illness a.ka, Pedophilia?
Consider the source of this story, The Associated Press.
...& then consider their position on religion (of any kind) & pro-homosexual agenda, eh?
Very possible that there were other emotional/mental factors involved. The press is playing this issue up as if it is something new, but these allegations have been out there, to the best of my memory, since the '70's. Somehow they always WENT AWAY.
One does have to wonder why it has now become such a huge scandal--did the house of cards tumble under it's own weight, or is there another agenda?
BTW, I am not in any way trying to absolve or excuse those clerics of responsibility for their heinous behavior. IMO there is no punishment extreme enough for those who abuse children.