Report: Archdiocese of LA to pay $660 million in abuse settlement (priests, church)

[MidnightBlue]

Story here.

Lawyers for more than 500 victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy members said yesterday that they had settled their lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for $660 million. (...)

Lawsuits over sexual abuse have already cost the Roman Catholic church in the United States more than $1.5 billion. Each diocese must handle the costs on its own, with no assistance from the Vatican. Few cases have gone to trial, usually because of laws on the statute of limitations.

[Buttercup]

I read that today. That's an astounding amount of money. And I have no doubt that the 500 victims is but a drop in the bucket.

I honestly don't understand why pedophilia is so rampant in the Catholic Church. Sure, you hear of sexual scandals in other denominations but not child sex. Not in the huge numbers you do in the Catholic Church. I've always wondered why priests wouldn't seek out women or men for sex for that matter. It's a wonder any parents let their sons become altar boys anymore.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I've always wondered why priests wouldn't seek out women or men for sex for that matter.

Many of them do, but having sex with adults isn't illegal, so it doesn't attract the attention pedophilia does. (Many of them are actually celibate, too.)

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

Many of them do, but having sex with adults isn't illegal, so it doesn't attract the attention pedophilia does. (Many of them are actually celibate, too.)

Right. I should have worded my comments differently. I do know that most priests are probably celibate some have sex with adults regardless of their vows. In fact, just last week there was a story running about a local priest who had run away with a woman and they couldn't be found. Their families were worried about them. Turns out they ran off a cliff on the way to the coast and were found dead in their car.

Other Christian denominations have the potential to be around young kids just as much as Catholics. With Awanas, Sunday School, retreats, Young Life, etc., there is ample opportunity for abuse if someone wanted to, and I'm sure it happens. But, not on the same scale. Is it just my imagination?