Question 8.127

8.127 What is your reaction to the scandal of paedophile priests?

ROBERT CARDINAL SARAH

If children have been entrusted to a priest who is supposed to lead them to God, and these fragile little creatures are the object of sexual abuse, this is evil and criminal behavior and a very serious matter. Pedophilia is one of the most abominable moral deviations.

The bishops who have deliberately hidden these scandals are a small minority. Nevertheless, there is no disputing the fact that their mismanagement did great harm to the Church. However, let us not forget that many of the predatory priests or religious had devised subtle strategies to make sure that their criminal acts would remain secret. Often, unfortunately, many victims did not report these incidents because they took place in situations of terrible psychological suffering. I am quite aware of the fact that respect for the office of the priest may also have played a role in establishing a culture of silence.

During the pontificate of John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger was very courageous in his determination not to turn a blind eye to such crimes. It is important to remember these uncompromising words of Christ: “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Mt 18:5-6). It is essential to recall that Jesus is pitiless and that he does not forgive the scandal given to children, just as he does not tolerate our lukewarm faith either: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:15-16).

The bishops who transferred pedophile priests from parish to parish to conceal their attacks behaved despicably. How could anyone imagine that those crimes would stop as if by magic?

This practice was used particularly in Ireland. In that country, cases of sexual abuse reached exceptional levels. The letter of Benedict XVI to Irish Catholics, published in March 2010, did not try to disguise the extent of the tragedies experienced because of betrayal by members of the clergy.

When I was archbishop of Conakry, I never had a problem with pedophilia in my diocese, and there is no disputing the fact that this scandal has not affected Africa much. On the other hand, on another level, I had to confront priests who were involved in clandestine affairs with women; the faithful were always very shocked by these excesses of their pastors. Besides, the situation of priests who lead a double life with wives and children, thus profaning the image of the high priest Jesus Christ and the grace of the priesthood, is no less serious. “Do not be deceived,” Saint Paul says, “God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Gal 6:7-8).

Indeed, I think that many bishops were not prepared to confront such weighty problems. Furthermore, we often are unaware of the complexity of the medical treatment of pedophiles. Those in charge of certain dioceses should have consulted qualified medical personnel, which in itself presented a set of considerable difficulties.

Today, I think that the Church has addressed with great courage and true effectiveness the problem of sexual predators. It is important to understand that John Paul II truly did not know about this problem. His illness prevented him from becoming aware of the extent of the betrayal of certain men. With great lucidity, Joseph Ratzinger opened up a new path. Benedict XVI and, then, Francis adopted radical methods to kill the roots of this horror.

In many countries, the civil institutions that are supposed to address such problems could take as their inspiration the transparency of the Church. I am not afraid to say that we acted in such a way that the procedures implemented by the Church are now a model.