Archbishop Seemingly Blames The Children For Sex Abuse In The Church


Poland’s Archbishop has sparked wide criticism and uproar after seemingly suggesting that sex abuse in the Catholic Church is caused, at least in part, by children from broken families.

Jozef Michalik, the head of Poland’s Episcopate and a highly influential Catholic leader, spoke about a recent spate of revelations concerning Polish pedophile priests this month. He told reporters that any child from a troubled family “seeks closeness with others and may get lost and may get the other person involved, too.”

Naturally, this previously unheard of level of apparent rape apology sparked immediate backlash, causing Michalik to rectify his statement later that day. He apologized and said that his words were taken out of context. He wasn’t trying to suggest that child victims in such cases were in any way responsible, he said.

Still, citizens, politicians, the press, and even other Catholic officials, have waged an intense debate over Michalik’s comments, a full two weeks after the fact. Bishops under Michalik, for instance, have since apologized for “priests who have harmed children.”

The media has pointed out the Michalik has a questionable history when it comes to the issue, as well. He had supported a parish priest convicted in 2004 of child sex abuse. One of that priests victims was simply horrified by Michalik’s apparent suggestion. “Archbishop Michalik’s words make us feel fear and revulsion,” Ewa Orlowska said.

Since the fallout, the Episcopate’s spokesman, the Rev. Jozef Kloch, stated that the Polish church has “zero tolerance” for pedophilia, and that it needs to figure out how to approach and talk about the matter.

Nearly 30 Polish priests have been tried for sex abuse since 2001, though most cases ended in a suspended prison term. Some critics have pointed out that this indicates a leniency for the church in Poland, where religion is taught in schools and church officials are regulars at government ceremonies.

[Image: Wikimedia Commons]

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