[Ransomed]

Well, the drastic decline in abuse started in the late 70s. By the time the media got a hold of the scandal, both for the actual abuse and the cover up, it was 2002 and the instances of actual abuse were at the 40s and 50s level of reported abuse, before the sexual revolution.

I still think it was simply a decrease in gay men becoming priests for broader cultural reasons, apart from an discipline from Church authorities.

Freegards

[detective]

“the drastic decline in abuse started in the late 70s.”

I am not disagreeing with you but do you have a source to support your statement.

John Paul II became Pope in 1979. That might have started the change in direction.

[detective]

“the drastic decline in abuse started in the late 70s”

Also, the liberals took over the U.S. Catholic church in the 1970’s. Lay Catholics became more aware of the problem in the 1980’s and that may have helped to cause the change in direction.