In an exclusive report by the Associated Press, nearly 1,700 priests and other Roman Catholic clergy members credibly accused of child sexual assault are in positions of trust with children, including teaching, counseling and even fostering children. The shocking findings come after decades of abuse of children at all levels of the Church have emerged and been documented:
"These priests, deacons, monks and lay people now teach middle-school math. They counsel survivors of sexual assault. They work as nurses and volunteer at nonprofits aimed at helping at-risk kids. They live next to playgrounds and day care centers. They foster and care for children.
And in their time since leaving the church, dozens have committed crimes, including sexual assault and possessing child pornography, the AP’s analysis found."The AP has charted their findings, and they are beyond disturbing (click to enlarge):
Clearly, despite lip service to cleaning up the priesthood, the Church is still looking at these offenders as sheep who have strayed but are still worthy of trust. By doing that, they continue to protect those who have harmed, and will continue to harm, the children in their trust.
