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EDUCATE The results of these allegations have angered parishioners and have also set back dioceses financially. Millions of dollars have been spent to settle sexual abuse claims and, unfortunately, some of it has even been used as hush money. But all this attention has spurned the creation of prevention programs to tackle the problem. The Catholic Diocese of Dallas has adopted a program called “Safe Environment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse,” which requires fingerprints and mandatory criminal background checks for all workers. The guidelines also call for windows in every office door and prohibiting adults from being alone with children in certain conditions. Another program, “Protecting God’s Children” is being tested in Austin and offers child abuse awareness and training material to be taught in classrooms. But none of these programs attack the true heart of the problem. Fr. Charles Calabrese of the TCU Catholic Community said he hopes the Fort Worth Diocese will start focusing on helping priests deal with their sexual and psychological growth and development. Programs that promote education about sexuality and ways to cope it are exactly what the Catholic church should consider. Priests are human and they have natural emotions and impulses. A promise of celibacy does not mean the impulses disappear. In order to effectively tackle occurrences of sexual abuse in the Catholic church, education needs to be used as a tool to root out ignorance about sexuality. Hiding the problems doesn’t make them go away. They need to be discussed in an open and, more importantly, non-judgmental forum. |
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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