Clergy Molestation of Minors

A Case in Point

Mrs. Randall was seriously thinking about getting an unlisted number. Since the news story, the phone was ringing off the hook. Darren, her ex-husband, was personally taking charge of the litigation. If nothing else, it would help pay the bills. She had trusted Father Bill. There was even an unspoken fantasy or two that he might leave the priesthood and romance her. How could she have been so stupid? Father Bill was only interested in her son. Darren had been so distant to them both. Suing the Church was his way of making amends, showing that he cared. Plus, it would let him off the hook for child support for years to come. Tim loved the errant priest. That really complicated matters. Tim was a minor. Was he a homosexual? It was not like he was a little boy. Tim was almost sixteen. Susan Randall was afraid to bring such topics up with her son. If Darren had not become suspicious, the matter might never have been exposed. He still had a key to the house and came over while she was out. He found them together in Tim’s bedroom. Normal men might have gone into a rage and killed the molester of their child. Darren was the ultimate professional. He simply said, “Put on your clothes and leave this house.” The priest complied. He started to cry and was shaking as he left. He tried to argue that it was not as it seemed. Even now the priest could not admit the truth.

Mrs. Randall thought to herself: "He had counseled me when Darren walked out. Father Bill said it was not my fault— that Darren was a bastard who did not know how good he had it. He sympathized with my heartache, not with overt sympathy but with solidarity with my anger. It was not me, the problem was Darren. Little did I know that Father Bill was using the situation and my emotions to reach my son? How could I have known?"

Discussion Questions

1. What signs might Mrs. Randall have seen to alert her to a problem?

2. Was it a case of true pedophilia or was it pederasty and homosexuality?

3. While restitution is understandable, does suing the Church punish the innocent with the guilty?

4. What should be done with the priest—imprisonment, treatment, chemical or surgical castration?

5. Do you think this family would remain Catholic and practice their faith afterwards?