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llegations of sexual misconduct by Catholic pastors and cover-ups by their superiors have become virtually deafening. Since early this year, reports circulated that some 300 pastors in the United States were implicated in cases of molestation and sexual harassment. Investigation by the Pennsylvania grand jury in August detailed that the crimes were inflicted upon 1,000 minors in 70 years.

Similar reports snowballed from Australia, which revealed that sexual misconduct by clerics and officials of state-run institutions in charge of the safety of minors had amounted to 8,000 cases. An investigation into these cases covered a five-year period.

On a recent visit to Santiago, Pope Francis heard reports from three alleged victims who claimed to have experienced sexual abuse as teenagers. In relation to these harrowing reports, 34 bishops in Chile said they were collectively to blame for failing to take immediate and stern action against errant priests.

The plague of sexual misconduct by the clergy has shocked the world and left the laity bewildered, as to how the clergy, revered as upholders of morality and ordained in the churches’ hierarchy as pastors, bishops, cardinals, in a colorful ceremony bathed in religious pomp and glory, could allow themselves to commit indecent acts.

And why is that such acts are only being revealed after a considerable lapse of time? Couldn’t bishops and cardinals provide their parishioners with update reports on what happens behind the churches’ walls on a yearly basis?

The case of Hubertus Leteng, a former bishop of Ruteng diocese in East Nusa Tenggara, who misused church funds and had a mistress, could have been prevented, had fellow bishops and cardinal for the Indonesia chapter been more watchful in managing daily affairs in their respected areas.

Pope Francis’ initial reaction following allegations of misconduct among priests was deemed too little and too late. His expressions of regret and promises to take up personal responsibility, following these allegations, sounded hollow, as they were not immediately followed up by concrete actions to prevent abuse by clerics.

Many among the laity have come up with some suggestions to end such misconduct by the clergy and bring about changes for the betterment of the centuries-old Catholic Church. These suggestions include, ending mandatory celibacy for the clergy, allowing gay priests to disclose their sexual orientation,
allowing women to become priests, bishops, cardinals and even the pope.

Though all these ideas are well meant so as to help the church deal with today’s problems, they may not solve the problem within the thick walls of the church, monastery, convent or other houses of the clergy.

What if domestic violence occurred in a priest’s household? The scope of problems would only widen and infringe on financial and social matters.

In looking for ways to solve the church’s problems, it is necessary to look deep into the history of the church.

After long protracted conflict between the government of Italy and neighboring Papal State, both sides finally agreed to sit together and solve their issues. This resulted in the signing of the Lateran Treaty by prime minister Benito Mussolini and Pope Pius XI on Feb. 11, 1929. The treaty curtailed the pope’s influence to only a tiny area within the Vatican and Lateran palaces at its center. The agreement also states that the remaining area of Italy will be governed as a secular state under separation of church and state.

This power sharing has limited clergy activities to only spiritual matters of their parishioners, such as reading the mass, administering baptism, presiding over funeral rites and charity events, as well as supervising the administration of schools and orphanages. They can also be lecturers of philosophy and theology or write books with dogmatic content. Imagine the boredom that chokes the lives of the clergy. The few who aspire for more social recognition and a more attractive position beyond church walls will be frowned upon and labeled a clown.

In that narrow corridor, the acid and poisonous language can be murderous. Feelings of being powerless in facing boredom and the monotony of daily routines amid an unfriendly atmosphere can easily turn into anger, frustration and pent-up emotions. The case of pastor Karadima of Chile, whom investigators revealed had abused teenage boys, reflects this cycle of boredom, frustration and pent-up emotions. Karadima obviously had a role in the supervision of orphanages, so he had easy access to the minors.

These predator priests were demoted from one parish to another. Bishops and cardinals may be aware of the challenges from boredom and monotony of the clergy’s life, but they cannot change the doctrine of separation between church and state — or can they?

So, how do you solve the problem of predator priests? One solution could be widening that narrow world of the clergy and encouraging young priests to get more involved in science and technology, the humanities and the arts.

The education program at seminaries is still heavily dominated by theological and dogmatic material, producing young priests who are only good at preaching from the pulpit, performing funeral rites and administering baptisms. However, if this narrow world could be enlarged, the young priests could defy boredom and vie for recognition in liberal sciences. They could also opt to write books and contribute to humanity. They should not feel frustrated if they are not chosen to fill a higher rank in the church hierarchy for they can aspire to get nominated for the Nobel Prize in science, technology and the arts.

Aspiring to be a man of renaissance will imbue the young priest with more self-discipline and self-esteem to prevent them from falling into any type of misconduct.
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