Sex and The Single Priest

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While the Vatican clearly recognizes the damage done by the sex scandals, it believes the problem is a limited, if not distinctly American, one. One bishop who recently visited Rome noted that "the United States is a very sexual society." And one with a special talent for the propagation of scandal. In his letter John Paul bluntly criticized the U.S. media, charging them with making matters worse by their treatment of the problem. "Evil can indeed be sensational, but the sensationalism surrounding it is always dangerous for morality." The licentiousness of the secular world is another scapegoat. Last week Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the Vatican's chief spokesman, said, "One would have to ask if the real culprit is not a society that is irresponsibly permissive, hyperinflated with sexuality ((and)) capable of creating circumstances that induce even people who have received a solid moral formation to commit grave moral acts."

The Pontiff has directed bishops "not to lose heart" or create a "climate of discouragement" around celibacy. He also reinforced church adherence to the rule of celibacy in his Holy Thursday missive to the world's priests, saying "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." As for the sinners among the ranks, many church officials feel they have little choice but to forgive. Says a Vatican official: "We'd all be in a mess if we couldn't be forgiven." However, for the women and children who have suffered, forgiveness is not only not divine, it is certainly not enough.