Editorial: The good priest

Sydney
25 August 2002

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Editorial: The good priest

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Editorial: The good priest

It’s tough being a new millennium priest – overworked, not exactly overpaid, but all over the media. It’s not the role it once was. It also seems to be a case of being guilty until proven innocent so far as priests and the recent sex abuse scandal are concerned. The old saying, that some of the best of men enter the priesthood, still holds true, but you wouldn’t know it from some of the Church’s recent media coverage.

Despite all the hysteria, the number of priests who abuse children is tiny – less than one per cent, the same as the general population. Of course, there are special factors at play here. Priests who offend have been placed in a position of trust and they have betrayed that trust. This is one of the reasons they are viewed in a harsher light than ordinary citizens. The stain of sin that belongs to a tiny minority of priests has spread to touch other, good priests. And they are hurting because of it. It is hard when mothers no longer feel they can trust you with their children, even though you have done no wrong; when there is talk of glass confessionals and when you have to monitor every touch – whether encouraging, affectionate or comforting – in case it is misconstrued. However, despite this present sad atmosphere of mistrust, it was heartening to read a statement by Tasmania’s Catholic Schools Parents and Friends Federation, welcoming priests into schools. Priests’ visits have always been a feature of Catholic school life and this should continue. The statement was read out at the federation’s annual state conference where, while admitting that some children had been deeply hurt by abusive priests and brothers, the federation moved a vote of confidence in the leadership of Tasmania’s Archbishop Adrian Doyle. The statement said the federation had confidence in the procedures that have been put in place to ensure such abuse does not happen again. These procedures are nationwide. So, what else can be done? Prayers and kindness are a good way to go. Pray that our many good priests have the strength to bear the burden the guilt of others has placed upon them. And show kindness to priests working in the parishes. It will be appreciated. Priests – no more nor less than anyone else – should not be presumed guilty until proven innocent. Nor should we allow the sins of a very few priests to be used as a weapon with which to bludgeon the Church by those who wish the Church and Catholics ill.