LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Weekend Beach Bum: Trouble in Purgatory |
by Eric Morrison |
So the Catholic Church is embroiled in a messy, massive sex scandal that threatens the reputation (and revenue) of the antiquated institution. Quelle surprise and c'est dommage. Haven't we known for years that the very vertebrae of the Church's backbone consist of secrets, lies, and all things unnatural? For those of us who despise the Church and most organized religion, recent events only add to anti-Church fodder. In case you've been living under the proverbial rock, former priest John J. Geoghan, suspected of molesting as many as 130 boys, is at the center of the scandal. But sharing the dubious spotlight is Cardinal Law of Boston, the senior member of the U.S. Roman Catholic hierarchy. Cardinal Law moved Geoghan from parish to parish, hoping the ghosts of his sexual exploits would not follow. At first, Cardinal Law vociferously defended his furtive actions and those of the archdiocese, although, under massive media pressure, he now has recanted and apologized. Meanwhile, the Boston archdiocese reportedly has paid $10 million to settle some fifty cases against Geoghan, and Cardinal Law has turned over to Massachusetts state authorities the names of between sixty and seventy priests accused of sexually abusing children over the past forty years. Needless to say, this scandal has rocked the faith of many formerly fervent believers and shocked the world from Boston to the Vatican. I can understand the rocking, but for anyone who has studied modern religious culture, the news is anything but shocking. As reported in Newsweek, "The Geoghan case is only the most recent example of Catholic priests' sexually abusing children in their parishes." In 1984, Gilber Gauthe of Louisiana pleaded guilty to more than thirty counts of child abuse in four parishes, costing the church millions of dollars in settlements. In 1993, James R. Porter of Massachusetts pleaded guilty to 41 counts of sexual molestation. In 1994, John Hanlon, also of Massachusetts, was convicted of raping a boy at a summer cottage in Scituate. Then, in 1998, a jury convicted Texan Rudy Kos of three counts of aggravated sexual assault and ordered the local diocese to pay victims $119 million. And the list goes on. Besides Geoghan, who physically committed these 130 acts of sexual abuse, Cardinal Law should be brought up on 130 counts of obstruction of justice. Enron executives are shaking in their wingtips, wondering how many years they'll spend behind bars for a variety of business abuses. Cardinal Law hides safely behind the white robes of the Church and the anachronistic archetype of the benevolent priest, but I hope his nightmares feature the faces and screams of those boys he helped to rape. Catholic diehards adamantly defend the Church by pointing out that these men acted independently. But without a doubt, they were influenced greatly by the culture of the Church which, by definition, requires suppression of sexuality and a complicated web of secrecy to cover its own sins. And if the Church isn't in the business of making money then why, in God's name, does the archdiocese of Boston have $10 million sitting around to throw at victims and their families, in exchange for silence and promises not to sue? Members give money to the Church thinking it will feed, clothe, and shelter the poor, not prevent lawsuits and aid and abet criminals. Add bribery, extortion, and obstruction of justice to the Church's list of sins. Had a gay man been accused of molesting 130 young boys, the Church, the religious right, and the majority of the media would have been more than happy to associate those acts with the propounded perverse lifestyle and sick mentality of gay people. John Paul would not climb down from his papal throne to declare, "This man acted of his own free will and in no way reflects the massive goodness and self-sacrifice of most gay persons," but those are his exact sentiments regarding this scandal. The irony neurons in my brain fire like mad, every time I think about how the religious right has propagated relentlessly the pernicious myth of gay men as child molesters. Psychological projection, anyone? I am unyielding on my opinion that the Church is a despicable and detrimental institution. Take an organization with a strict set of rules governing how persons should think, act, and behave, throw in the fear and guilt of God's judgment just for good measure, and you have a perfect recipe for suppression, oppression, and self-hatred. The Church's stand on divorce hurts families. Mom and Dad should stay together, even if they're miserable, and let them be miserable role models for their children. The Church's views on contraception and abortion are illogical and outdated. We can't take care of the children we have on this planet, but we need more unwanted little ones? Granted, grass roots volunteers in many community programs do much good for the community, but we could do that on our own without the Pope's blessing. The Church's stand on sexuality issues rails against everything science, medicine, and psychology have taught us. How many more professional studies must assert that, barring the effects of homophobia, gays and lesbians are as happy, complete, and well-adjusted as heterosexuals, and are just as adept at loving, parenting, and contributing to society? In an empty and laughable gesture, not to mention a transparent attempt to boost waning Church attendance, the Pope recently declared that gay priests who in no way assert their homosexual identity are welcome in the Church. Another "don't ask, don't tell" philosopher, another blatant attack on the humanity of gays and lesbians. Psychological studies prove that repressed sexuality surfaces in ways detrimental to the self and to others, and the disturbing events of late only add fuel to the anti-Church fire. I say, let it burn. For further reading, Eric recommends Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell. Eric can be reached at eric.a.morrison@verizon.net |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 03, April 5, 2002. |