Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Letters

Zero tolerance is not enough

byStaff writers
30 June 2002
Reading Time: 2 mins read
AA
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

ON June 15, the American bishops announced their policy of ‘zero tolerance’ regarding paedophilia.

In their own words ‘from today, no one convicted of sexually abusing another will be allowed to work in the Catholic Church’.

This may seem like the end of the matter, but it may also fall short of what is required. Why?

Experienced commentators have for some time been telling us that zero tolerance, whilst useful, is not sufficient – it does not address the causes of the problem.

Two commentators experienced in the area of human sexuality and in Church, Sr Fran Ferder and Fr John Heagle, offer the following analysis (my summary) of the deeper causes. They argue that if these causes are not urgently and systematically addressed, then further incidents of priestly paedophilia will occur, for which zero tolerance is only the ‘after the incident’ punishment. They list the main causes as:

1. Men with seriously arrested psycho-sexual development are still in priestly ministry. The Church is trying to screen out such men among seminary applicants, but we need to do more.

2. The Church’s way of governing is too secret and more concerned with guarding its image than with protecting the needs of its most vulnerable.

3. Bishops and cardinals seem to be rewarded more for their conforming and being quiet, than for being open and honest.

4. The present forms of Church governance do not honour the true diversity of God’s people. Consultation is important, but is a poor substitute for full inclusivity

5. Central to a more open and inclusive system is the welcome to sacramental ministers from both genders and all lifestyles.

Related Stories

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia

Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting

6. The hierarchy of the Church is still ambivalent towards sexuality and women, and still promotes celibacy as the highest form of holiness.

The above summary should make all thinking Catholics question whether Ferder and Heagle’s analysis is correct. It certainly explores beyond the usual superficial explanations of ‘a few rotten eggs; it’s the homosexuality thing; and just lax morals’.

The best doctors in the world, when faced with a serious illness, pay greatest attention to identifying the causes before prescribing any remedies.

Finally, Ferder and Heagle wonder whether the hierarchy of the Church realise how seriously they need to address the causes of paedophilia among priests.

They also wonder, given ‘zero tolerance’, whether the hierarchy has the will to do so, and if not, will the hierarchy co-operate with others who can and will? These are questions that should concern us all.

GARRY J. EVERETT

Jindalee, Qld

ShareTweet
Previous Post

MOLOKAI – Inspiring story of the leper priest

Next Post

Green push

Staff writers

Related Posts

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia
Australia

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia

26 May 2022
Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church
Australia

Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

26 May 2022
Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting
World

Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting

26 May 2022
Next Post

Green push

Howard set to meet Pope

ACU supports uni reform proposals

Popular News

  • Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

    Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nuncio take in the sights of Queensland’s far north

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Archbishop calls for prayers in “troubled times”

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia
Australia

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia

by Staff writers
26 May 2022
0

ETHIOPIAN Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel says his trip to Australia gives him the chance to thank individuals and...

Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

26 May 2022
Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting

Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting

26 May 2022
Nuncio take in the sights of Queensland’s far north

Nuncio take in the sights of Queensland’s far north

25 May 2022
Hong Kong

Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China

25 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping