Pedophilia in the Church

Paedophilia has risen to epidemic proportions in Australia. Although there is no hard empirical evidence, the enormous surge of recent attention on the abuse of children by priests suggests that there is an even bigger endemic in the Australian church. The psychological damage to victims of child sexual assault are great. Psychological disorders in victims are common including sexual disorders, bipolar disorder, manic depression and depression; distressing conditions which may ultimately lead to suicide. Victims also may become perpetrators and continue the cycle. (Morrison, 1995; Johnson, 1988, Tomeo et al, 2001, Widom, 1995; Bickley and Beech, 2001). Thus, the question of how any such criminal, morally reprehensible and pathological acts as paedophilia can find a place in the lives of men so trusted, well-educated, committed to a life of good works and presumably guided by God is an important one and one of which has been the subject of much debate.…