Pedophiles And The Priesthood

This weeks episode of Connecting the Dots tackles the very sensitive and controversial issue of Pedophiles in the Priesthood. It has been over two decades since the earliest reports surfaced of allegations of sexual and physical abuse involving members of the Christian Brothers at the Mount Cashel Orphanage in St. John’s Newfoundland and only 8 years since the Boston Globe covered the subject blowing the issue wide open. Even the Pope is connected and under scrutiny as to whether he participated in the years of the Church hiding priests and covering up reports. The big story is not the fact that children were abused, but instead the constant cover-up by the church. We learn from our resident reporter Cindy Burgess that this issue does not rest in the past, but is still very much part of the present. Tune in on Sunday June 13th at 2 pm (Pacific standard time) to hear how those who we expect to be of the highest moral fiber, can commit such immoral crimes.

Guests:

Dr. Rene Sorrentino is a clinical instructor at Harverd Medical school and heads up the Institute for Sexual Wellness (www.instituteforsexualwellness.org). Dr. Sorrentino discusses the difference between pedophiles and child molesters and how they relate to abuse of children in the clergy. She highlights why opportunistic pedophiles may be drawn to the priesthood and what psychological tests the Catholic Church can utilize to better assess the suitability of future priests.

Dr. Jaime Romo is a survivor of abuse while he was a young teen at the Archdiocese of Las Angeles and has dedicated his life to helping survivors thrive and heal from past abuse. He works to help religious groups create safer environments for children and prevent child sexual abuse. Dr. Romo discusses the unique dichotomy of clergy abuse and how the environment can create a lifelong shame and silence among victims.