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Child Molestation in the Catholic Church

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gerbear
Posts: 435 - Karma: 396
So I went to go see Spotlight a couple nights ago and it was one of the better movies I've seen in the last few years. The acting was superb and the concept was one that needed to be put on screen finally.

I find the topic of child molestation in the Catholic Church super fucked up and fascinating at the same time. I was raised catholic, went to all catholic schools, went to church all the time as a kid, etc. Now, I'm very skeptical of religion in general, but that's neither here nor there. What is here though is the disgusting issue of child molestation by priests in the catholic church. There were cases of molestation in my parish a few years ahead of me by this one dude (James Hanley, you can Google the creep) who molested about 20+ kids. The church covered it up, moved him around, it was swept under the carpet, the whole dirty deal. Long story short, it came to the surface after all of his victims decided to collectively step forward, and there was this whole local uproar that spread nationally and contributed to the larger exposure of the issue. Anyways, I have some thoughts/questions on the issue and I think it's a valid conversation topic to have due to the amount of corruption, cover-up, and denial that surrounds it.

Why does it happen? Do you think that the idea of celibacy is unnatural/illogical and it slowly forces priests to gravitate to secretive/creepier means of sexual satisfaction? Do pedophiles purposefully flock toward the profession of being a priest because it's an easy means of preying on weak children?

In terms of how much it is covered up, do you think that the church has such a governing voice over society (and even the government itself) that it has the ability to silence almost anyone/anything that challenges it?

Wouldn't the idea of there being a God that calls upon these people to do "right" in his name be completely discredited by all of this craziness?

Sorry if these questions are super heavy and not well articulated, I had a lot clearer idea of what I wanted to ask/discuss when I started the thread but kinda lost aim since I have so many thoughts on the topic. Either way, it's super fucked up and absolutely insane how this shit has been going on without any sort of repercussions for so long.

What do you guys think about all this? Also, anyone see the movie Spotlight?
Jan 5 2016 1:39PM
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iced
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 17,940
I get this is a non ski grabber forum, but this shit is deep and dark. Generally, priests who prey on children were pedophiles before they joined the priesthood. Becoming a priest gave them access to being alone with young children, so they became priests.
Jan 5 2016 2:53PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Yea, A lot of people who cant have a normal working relationship with women end up using it (priesthood/religion) as a way to escape social ridicule or questioning. It can end up leading towards deviancy when you let that happen for years upon years
Jan 5 2016 4:05PM
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vailsux.com
Posts: 1769 - Karma: 440
niice
Jan 5 2016 4:32PM
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Ranch
Posts: 742 - Karma: 1,030
icedI get this is a non ski grabber forum, but this shit is deep and dark. Generally, priests who prey on children were pedophiles before they joined the priesthood. Becoming a priest gave them access to being alone with young children, so they became priests.


ya I agree thats fucking creepy pasta shit.
Jan 5 2016 5:50PM
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Shewlur...
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 940
Spotlight is incredible. Anyone who hasn't seen it yet needs to.

As a Catholic from the greater Massachusetts area this movie certainly hit home in a way for me as well. The scene when they are interviewing the victim from Worcester with track marks was the most eye-opening part of the movie for me. Up until this point, I believed that molestation had occurred on a massive scale, however I never quite understood how. As someone who went to CCD, had his confirmation, went to Church every Sunday for the first 13 years of my life, it finally hit me how easy it was for these priests. They were trusted by parishioners like the word of God was. Not to mention, as a kid, who is a bit naive, for a priest to take special attention in you is a pretty big fucking deal. My priest used to ask me after mass every day how my skiing was going, and he'd tell me how he was always praying for extra snow. Now, he was a great guy who had excellent intentions, but it shows how easily exploitable kids can be especially in a setting/situation like this.

This movie has really blown up in the greater New England area among Catholics. Pretty amazing how impactful a movie like this can be among those it directly affected. Very eye-opening, and it is an absolute must-see if you were raised Catholic.
Jan 6 2016 11:08AM
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gerbear
Posts: 435 - Karma: 396
Shewlur...Spotlight is incredible. Anyone who hasn't seen it yet needs to.

As a Catholic from the greater Massachusetts area this movie certainly hit home in a way for me as well. The scene when they are interviewing the victim from Worcester with track marks was the most eye-opening part of the movie for me. Up until this point, I believed that molestation had occurred on a massive scale, however I never quite understood how. As someone who went to CCD, had his confirmation, went to Church every Sunday for the first 13 years of my life, it finally hit me how easy it was for these priests. They were trusted by parishioners like the word of God was. Not to mention, as a kid, who is a bit naive, for a priest to take special attention in you is a pretty big fucking deal. My priest used to ask me after mass every day how my skiing was going, and he'd tell me how he was always praying for extra snow. Now, he was a great guy who had excellent intentions, but it shows how easily exploitable kids can be especially in a setting/situation like this.

This movie has really blown up in the greater New England area among Catholics. Pretty amazing how impactful a movie like this can be among those it directly affected. Very eye-opening, and it is an absolute must-see if you were raised Catholic.


For sure, man. This movie was incredible and it's good to see someone else from the same kinda background and the same reaction to it.
Jan 7 2016 9:15AM
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gerbear
Posts: 435 - Karma: 396
icedI get this is a non ski grabber forum, but this shit is deep and dark. Generally, priests who prey on children were pedophiles before they joined the priesthood. Becoming a priest gave them access to being alone with young children, so they became priests.


I hear ya but it's definitely a real topic that is out there and should be discussed more.
Jan 7 2016 9:16AM
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lcoopman
Posts: 275 - Karma: 1,842
I hate when I go to the church and the priest asked me to go to the basement.....
Jan 7 2016 11:10AM
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iced
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 17,940
beantownsmugglerI hear ya but it's definitely a real topic that is out there and should be discussed more.


yea, it should be discussed more, but why Newschoolers, all it does here is kill vibes
Jan 7 2016 12:13PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
icedyea, it should be discussed more, but why Newschoolers, all it does here is kill vibes


A lot of people here like to interact with each other because this is in one way a community and as a community we like to share ideas with each other. As you mentioned earlier, this is NSG so it is the right place for it within the community. And ultimately, no one made you click on this thread and read it, at least I hope not. If there's a thread you don't want to participate in, by all means skip over it.
Jan 7 2016 12:34PM
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iced
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 17,940
onenerdykidA lot of people here like to interact with each other because this is in one way a community and as a community we like to share ideas with each other. As you mentioned earlier, this is NSG so it is the right place for it within the community. And ultimately, no one made you click on this thread and read it, at least I hope not. If there's a thread you don't want to participate in, by all means skip over it.


Alright thanks for the paragraph, it made the obvious official good job
Jan 7 2016 12:57PM
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iced
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 17,940
onenerdykidA lot of people here like to interact with each other because this is in one way a community and as a community we like to share ideas with each other. As you mentioned earlier, this is NSG so it is the right place for it within the community. And ultimately, no one made you click on this thread and read it, at least I hope not. If there's a thread you don't want to participate in, by all means skip over it.


Alright thanks for the paragraph, it made the obvious official good job
Jan 7 2016 12:57PM
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gerbear
Posts: 435 - Karma: 396
onenerdykidA lot of people here like to interact with each other because this is in one way a community and as a community we like to share ideas with each other. As you mentioned earlier, this is NSG so it is the right place for it within the community. And ultimately, no one made you click on this thread and read it, at least I hope not. If there's a thread you don't want to participate in, by all means skip over it.


Thank you.
Jan 7 2016 12:58PM
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