StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Vatican Church and Sexual Abuse - Article Example

Cite this document
Summary
As the paper "Vatican Church and Sexual Abuse" tells, sexual abuse is an issue that needs to be addressed and propagated consistently as society progresses to the 21st century. Child sexual abuse is an indecent act that involves the sexual exploitation of innocent kids…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.5% of users find it useful
Vatican Church and Sexual Abuse
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Vatican Church and Sexual Abuse"

Vatican Church strives to handle sexual abuse cases Sexual abuse is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and propagated consistently as societyprogresses to 21st century. Child sexual abuse is an indecent act that involves sexual exploitation of innocent kids and can be categorized into many behaviors. Sexual abuse can range from forcing an intercourse to inappropriate touching that also leads to violence at times. Sexual abuse is detriment to a child’s emotional, sociological, and physical health. Incest is the most common sexual abuse that are reported. Incest usually arises between a father and his daughter. There are many signs that can point towards a child being sexually abused. A common sign is when a child has a difficult time walking. In addition, the child might refuse to socialize or engage in any physical activity. Furthermore, if the child experiences nightmares and experiences a rapid decrease in appetite. All these factors are well indicators that the child is or is continuing to experience traumatic sexual abuse. One of the most shocking aspects of sexual abuse is that they have been a commonality in religious atmosphere. This startling reality can be seen in the Vatican Church, which has been criticized for covering up the issue. Unfortunately, many priests have been not only accused but have engaged in sexual abuse, which is damaging to the Church, society, and alarms parents. The Vatican Church is shocked at this fact and has started an investigation that will hold the priests accountable for their shameful act. Reverend Federico Lombardi, the head spokesman of the Church, firmly states the Church will approach the issue with “rigor and transparency.” However, these assurances have not been adequate as more victims are getting the courage to speak out against the priests. The Church must hold the priests responsible for these heinous acts, but the rules do not implement any of the “lip service” that Reverend insisted on. For example, the rules of the Church lack stature, as they do not make it obligatory for these crimes to be reported to officials even though the local law is clear and concise. Catholics globally are shocked at the fact that women are included in the list of grave acts. In addition, they were intrigued that the church believed pedophiles were the same as those who left the church or were heretics. Yet that was not the case as many priests accused, were still part of the church. This frustration of Catholics can be perfectly illustrated in this statement as Chritian Weisnar, one of the key members states, “It is very irritating that they put the increased severity in punishment for abuse and women’s ordination at the same level.” Weisnar and other catholic followers firmly think that the Church should stray away from the biasness towards a man-dominated church. Without a doubt, the Church is in a midst of debate as the traditionalists want the Church to be dominated by men, and that appointing a female will increase the severity of punishment. The Church is midst of all these issues still faces the problem of holding its priests responsible. Charles J. Scicluna, the lead prosecutor for the Vatican affairs, is responsible for dealing with all the sexual cases that the priests are accused of. Monsignor Scicluna is very stern on this issue as he states, “Sexual abuse and pornography are more grave delicts, they are an egregious violation of moral law.” Clearly, it is an embarrassment for the Church as they try to defend these pious men that are community leaders. He goes on to say that ordination of the females is no doubt serious, but it goes against the traditional perspectives of the Catholic moral law which is extremely sacred. A recent news conference that took place discussed the issues of sexual abuse that has plagued the Catholic Church. Monsignor Scicluna believes that new revisions in the law will reduce the instances of the issue as he states, “This gives a signal that we are very, very serious in our commitment to promote safe environments and to offer an adequate response to abuse.” Moreover, he believes that additional changes will be made if these modifications do not stop more cases of sexual abuse. These revisions not only make the process faster and easier for holding priests responsible for their acts, but the definition of “sexual abuse” has been expanded in this stature. For instance, child pornography and sexual abuse of mentally challenged children and adults have been added to the list. A priest convicted of any sexual abuse will be removed from the Church, unless the Church upholds the statute of limitations, and decides to investigate the case in a more personal level. However, many victims are still able to come forward and are afraid to speak against these men. Many still believe that these revisions were not adequate and do not impose severe punishment for the priests involved in sexual abuse. The gravity of sexual abuse cases that plagued the Catholic Church lead it to create an organization known as Bishopaccountability.org. This organization, which is also a website, enables the Church to follow up of any sexual cases internationally. Pope Benedict XVI, one of the most respectable figures in the Church has now the power to direct bishops to report any case of a sexual exploitation to the authorities, even if the common law does not require them to do so. Furthermore, he could impose any sort of penalty to any bishop or priest who either engages in an act of abuse, or fails to stop abuse in a case of being a witness. For decades, the Church has been bewildered and confused on how to approach these cases. Pope John Paul II during 2001 released a document saying that priest that has violated the human rights by engaging in a sexual activity must be reported to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. Yet, the document is not well published and hence escalated the confusion even more. Just recently in April, the Vatican took a decisive action and published an online set of regulations that discuss the matter of handling abuse, which includes reporting all the cases to Church administrators and law officials. Clearly, the Vatican Church is in the midst of turmoil as it struggles to report cases of sexual abuse. Without a doubt, the Church should continue to implement the necessary guidelines to hold the priests accountable for these heinous acts. The Church should not give any leeway to these priests for the acts they have committed. The Catholic community must regroup and collaborate effectively to stop the sexual abuse that has claimed so many victims. Works Cited Donadio, Rachel. “Vatican Revises Abuse Process, but Causes Stir.” New York Times. 15 July 2010. A8. Print Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Sexual Abuse Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1574698-sexual-abuse
(Sexual Abuse Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words)
https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1574698-sexual-abuse.
“Sexual Abuse Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1574698-sexual-abuse.
  • Cited: 1 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Vatican Church and Sexual Abuse

Pope Rebuking Priest Using Several Modern Day Christian Thinkers

Benedict's message is one of the greatest – and most straight- speeches that have mostly been dominated by a scandal of sexual abuse, Vatican hierarchy in disarray and recurring tangles with other faiths.... Benedict rejects the dissident's idea, made during the second Vatican committee, of fossilizing the church and reviews that on the contrary; the development of new religious society in recent decade illustrated the vitality and true rejuvenation of the church by the 1962 to 1965 Vatican II....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church

(Name) (Professor) (Subject) (Date) sexual abuse in the Catholic Church Sexuality has been a big issue in the society anywhere in the world as various misunderstandings, conflicts, stereotypes, discrimination, and abuses occur and how they affect the people directly or indirectly.... The role of mass media would also be included in the way the issue of sexual abuse in Catholic Church is tackled.... One particular study had been conducted that tackled the child sexual abuse committed by priests in the 60s and 70s and it was funded by the Catholic bishops in the United States of America....
5 Pages (1250 words) Term Paper

Discourse and Narrative Issues of News Analysis

Where sexual abuse of children by priests has made headlines of news worldwide, stirring major controversy about Church and Pope Benedict himself, this article is developing a persona of a just man who has undertaken his responsibility of avoiding future abuse.... The headline stated, 'Pope Benedict's sudden resignation reveals an independent mind' followed by a great deal of explanation about his modesty and him being knowledgeable of limits imposed on him by the moral obligations toward the church....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Foundation of Catholic Theology

All the official teachings of the church and the official documents of the Church must have their basis on these foundations of Catholic Theology.... This means that the teachings of the church and the whole teaching ministry of the Church have their origin in Jesus Christ himself.... The four selected documents deal with different and particular aspects of the life of the Catholic church.... One of such official church documents is the Vatican 11 document....
13 Pages (3250 words) Essay

The Catholic church teaching of homosexuality

They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complimentarity.... Homosexuality is sexual behavior/ acts directed towards a person or persons of one's own sex.... Gay is a term used to describe a male homosexual/ a male individual exhibiting sexual tendencies towards another male or males.... A lesbian denotes a female homosexual/ a female individual drawn to sexual intercourse with another female or females.... Heterosexuality on the other hand is sexual feeling or behavior directed towards a person or persons of the opposite sex....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

Child Sexual Abuse Detection and Prevention

This research discusses on of the most traumatic dilemma faced by all the societies of the world: Child sexual abuse.... Special emphasis has been laid on the detection (in terms of symptoms) and prevention (including laws) of child sexual abuse.... The problem of child sexual abuse warrants serious consideration by society as a whole.... As a result of sexual abuse, a variety of emotional and behavioral problems may develop and continue into the young victim's adulthood....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Oscar Romero and Post Vatican II Church

The paper "Oscar Romero and Post Vatican II church" highlights that some worrisome religious changes were observed which included the abandonment of the sacrament of penance, a decline in mass attendance in many places and dissent of teachings on birth control.... Revolution has resounded through the church at all points, from the towers of the Vatican to the benches of local communities.... The council introduced new documents which saw a landmark transformation of the Catholic church....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Vaticans Organizational and Operational Structures

The organizational structure of the Vatican Council II provides Pope with all legislative, judiciary as well as decision making powers to control the Catholic church.... Change in the Vatican Catholic church, after the formation of the Vatican Council II, enhanced the degree of tolerance to the other religious beliefs in the ideologies of modern Christianity, further assisting the Vatican to integrate a balanced administrative system with an open-minded nature....
12 Pages (3000 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us