I could not post on this story when it originally broke. It pissed me off on such a deep level that I knew I could only respond emotionally. I needed to wait. I'm glad I did.
Rev. Benedict "Poor Sandusky" Groeschel said,
"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.
Well, it’s not so hard to see. A kid looking for a father and didn’t have his own — and they won’t be planning to get into heavy-duty sex, but almost romantic, embracing, kissing, perhaps sleeping, but not having intercourse or anything like that. I’s an understandable thing, and you know where you find it, among other clergy or important people; you look at teachers, attorneys, judges, social workers."
He later apologized.
"I did not intend to blame the victim. A priest (or anyone else) who abuses a minor is always wrong and is always responsible," Groeschel said in his post on the website. "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."
It’s an insincere apology based in desperation and built on excuses. It hides a mindset that is corrupt and evil. It must be confronted. Rev. Groeschel's voice should be silenced. He does not deserve a spot representing his faith. If the Catholic Church actually wants to make a statement, they will ban him from any further chance of speaking his foul message in public.
I know Groeschel's type. It's my that same thing I saw in my Grandparent's generation with their views on race. Their mindset passed with their generation. Groeschel generation should also pass into obscurity.
Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse, Hypocrisy, Catholics
