A.W. Richard Sipe, who passed away last week, has left an important legacy for those who work to understand and prevent clergy child sex abuse. The former priest turned psychotherapist was a leading researcher on the subject.
His work revealed a clear connection between the lack of celibacy among clergy and child sex abuse. Click here to read “A.W. Richard Sipe, a Leading Expert on Clergy Sex Abuse, Dies at 85,” by Sharon Otterman, August 9, 2018, The New York Times.
May you enjoy the Peace if The Lord.
Richard Sipe closely examined the role of the teachings of the Catholic Church on human sexuality and the role those teachings had on the continual sexual abuse of innocent children.The sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church will never end until the Church examines its antiquated teachings on human sexuality and makes changes. Richard was a great supporter of victims of clergy abuse and he will be missed.
Maybe the popes should have read the Bible:
Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Proverbs 18:22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
Celibacy is not normal. It invites homosexuals and other sexually disturbed men to hide in the priesthood. Over 45 years ago in high school we clearly knew many of the priests were not normal. We called them Sister so-and-so or Miss so-and -so. It was a big joke, but we never knew about all the abuse until much later.