Costs Soar As Clergy Sex Abuse Cases Rise

[arwalden]

Yahoo News Link

Costs Soar As Clergy Sex Abuse Cases Rise By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer
27 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - New figures released Thursday by the nation's Roman Catholic bishops show the unrelenting toll of the clergy sex abuse crisis: 783 new credible claims last year, most of which date back decades, and costs of nearly $467 million.

While researchers who analyzed 50 years of data on molestation claims concluded the number of new cases is declining, the church is still paying a heavy price for predatory clergy.

The abuse problem was already known to have cost dioceses more than $1 billion since 1950, including some expenses paid last year. Still, Teresa Kettelkamp, director of the bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection, said the total abuse-related expenses shelled out in 2005 were likely the largest ever for a single year.

The total number of accusations against Catholic clergy now stands at more than 12,000 since 1950.

The latest statistics were released as part of the third audit U.S. bishops commissioned to restore trust in their leadership after abuse allegations soared in 2002. Auditors found that 88.5 percent of dioceses had put in place full safeguards for children required by the bishops' reforms.

[Selatius]

1. They should've been proactive rather than reactive the last 50 years.

It would've saved the lives of hundreds of people from the misery of living in shame and fear of what happened. This, above all, is what repulsed me from the Roman Catholic Church entirely. I decided I would not be apart of this organization that would bury such atrocities.

[BootinUp]

2. raised a catholic

and I have to say those numbers astound me. Never would have believed it.

[DainBramaged]

3. I hope they go bankrupt and their property is attached

They want to eat meat on Friday, they pay the price on Saturday, forever. If God is truly there, I'm sure there is a special place for these scum-clots when they die.

[Ian David]

5. You can revoke the corporate charter of the archdiocese. n/t

[Ian David]

4. And this is who wants to tell us how to take care of our children?

These are the experts in the welfare and adoption of children?

And these are the people who have campaigned against a bill in Massachusetts for financial disclosure of non-proffit organizations?

And these are the people who are campaigning against raising the statute of limitations on reporting sexual abuse of minors?

Oh, yeah.

The Catholic Church should be telling us who can adopt kids the same way the GOP can preach about fiscal responsibility.

[Zenlitened]

6. Yup. Their credibility on moral issues = zero.

Wouldn't it be nice if they had learned a little humility from the experience?

If they had realized how egregiously skewed their moral vision can be at times... and stopped to wonder if maybe they're wrong about their "moral" opposition to any and all things gay/lesbian?

Isn't that what a truly decent person -- or institution -- does when they realize they've done something terribly wrong?

A little instrospection would have been nice. They might have regained some sort of moral compass, and have some of value to contribute once again.

[Ian David]

9. In all fairness, the Catholic Church has two good things to their credit

1) Frangelico is yummy.

2) If it weren't for The Catholic Church, millions of people would haven't felt the need to flee Europe and come to America.

[0007]

7. I think the Pope should start thinking about implementing a

few pecker shops here and there.

[DanCa]

8. Why aren't these asshats and their enablers jailled?

No fracking excuse for someone to hurt a kid none whatsoever.

[WhiteTara]

10. 12,000 claims of molestation

against the clergy is horrific. I can not think of anything that would turn people away is the utter contempt these men have for the people they are mentoring. Molestation by priests is the ultimate betrayal.

[RedG1]

11. against gay marriages and/or civil unions?

"It seems the Pope only wants his priests to DATE"...Joy Behar...on The View

[saigon68]

12. His Priests DATE young 8 year old boys

And commit SODOMY on the Youth's (deleted Body part)