During a recent interview with the National Catholic Register, Father Benedict Groeschel, made the most offensive comments blaming teen victims of sexual abuse committed by priests, setting the Catholic Church back years in damage control due to the scandal of cover-ups. The conservative priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal allegedly placed the responsibility and blame of sexual abuse upon the teens, who may have acted as seducers of the clergymen in some cases.
The Huffington Post has reported the abhorrently offensive comments made by Father Benedict Groeschel today, who ironically is also a psychologist.
People have this picture in their minds of a person planning to — a psychopath. But that’s not the case. Suppose you have a man having a nervous breakdown, and a youngster comes after him. A lot of the cases, the youngster — 14, 16, 18 — is the seducer.
The National Catholic Register has since removed the comments and issued an apology directly from Father Benedict Groeschel.
I apologize for my comments. I did not intend to blame the victim. A priest (or anyone else) who abuses a minor is always wrong and is always responsible. My mind and my way of expressing myself are not as clear as they used to be. I have spent my life trying to help others the best that I could. I deeply regret any harm I have caused to anyone.
In answer to the past sexual abuse committed by priests and the Catholic Church’s scandal of cover-ups, have led the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island to enact VIRTUS training for all Church employees and volunteers along with a new Diocesan Child Protection Policy enacted by the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People.
As a mother, a faithful Catholic, and dedicated weekly attendee of Mass, I am saddened and offended by the ignorant remarks made by Father Benedict Groeshcel, even with the retraction. What are your thoughts?
Poster Comment:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/sympathy-poor-guy-jerry-sandusky-pedophiles-new-york-friar-blames-youngsters-seduce-priests-coaches-article-1.1147848