THIS IS AMERICA -July 8, 2002: The Catholic Church in America
By Jerilyn Watson
VOICE ONE:
Almost sixty-four-million Christians in the United States belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Sexual
wrongdoing by clergymen against children has caused a crisis in the Catholic Church. I’m Mary Tillotson.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. The Catholic Church is our report today on the VOA
Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
((THEME))
VOICE ONE:
Last month, Roman Catholic Church leaders in the United States declared a new policy about sexual wrongdoing
by clergymen against children. Those priests found guilty of even one incident of sexual abuse of a child would
be barred from all public duties connected to the church. They could no longer take part in the Catholic religious
service. However, they would continue to be priests.
Almost three-hundred church leaders approved the new policy at a meeting of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Dallas, Texas. The bishops also apologized to
victims of sexual abuse by priests. Several of these victims were at the meeting and told about
their sexual abuse by priests.
Pope John Paul is the head of the Roman Catholic Church around the world. Officials in
Rome who advise the Pope will now consider the American bishops’
new policy. If the
officials approve, the American bishops will be expected to enforce it.
VOICE TWO:
In the United States, it is a crime for an adult to have sexual relations with anyone under the age of eighteen.
Hundreds of Catholic priests have been accused of having sexual relations with children.
The priests reportedly abused thousands of boys and young men. Some women have also charged priests with
sexual wrongdoing. Some of these accusations involve incidents that happened as many as thirty years ago.
Roman Catholic priests are banned from marrying. They are not permitted to have sexual relations of any kind.
VOICE ONE:
For many years, some Catholics have demanded that their bishops take a strong position against sexually abusive
priests. These people say some bishops have protected guilty priests while failing to protect the children they
harmed.
Victims of sexual crimes by priests have repeatedly demanded apologies from the church. They have demanded
justice in the courts. American courts have ordered the Roman Catholic Church to pay millions of dollars in
damages to victims.
VOICE TWO:
Many American Catholics are not satisfied with the new policy declared by the bishops. They want priests found
guilty of sexual abuse of children to be dismissed as priests. Many Catholics point to the seriousness of the
offense and the harm it has done to young victims.
Many American Catholics do not believe the bishops’
policy is severe enough. They made this clear in recent
opinion studies. In one study, two-thirds of Catholics said they did not believe the new policy would end abuse of
children. In another study, almost ninety percent wanted guilty priests dismissed from the priesthood. Almost all
of the Catholics in this study said they wanted action by Pope John Paul. They want the Pope to punish bishops
who do not act against known abusers.
VOICE ONE:
Roman Catholic bishops govern churches in one-hundred-eleven areas in the United States. One media report
says bishops in almost sixty percent of these areas have attempted to hide sex crimes by priests. In at least several
cases, the church paid victims large amounts of money. The money was meant to keep the victims from telling
the media about what happened to them.
Reports say some bishops sent guilty priests for treatment by mental health experts. But the bishops did not report
the crimes to police. Then the bishops sent the priests to work in churches in other cities. They did not warn
church members about these priests.
Some law-enforcement officials say these bishops should be punished. They have suggested charging these
bishops with aiding a crime.
VOICE TWO:
Some experts say the church has protected guilty priests because it lacks enough priests. The number of Roman
Catholic churches in the United States keeps growing. However, the number of men studying to be priests has
decreased. Almost thirty percent of Roman Catholic churches do not have a priest serving only one church.
Instead, some priests travel to serve two or more churches.The Catholic Church does not permit women to
become priests. However, men who are not priests can perform some church ceremonies. These men are called
deacons. They are permitted to be married. Husbands and wives, called parish ministers, also may assist in some
ceremonies.
((MUSIC BRIDGE))
VOICE ONE:
Roman Catholicism has a long history in America. The first Roman Catholics were explorers from Europe. The
religion was established before the area became the United States. At times, the British colonies approved anti-
Catholic legislation. But Catholics usually could observe their religion freely.
During the nineteenth century, many immigrants came to the United States. Large groups of Catholics came from
Germany, Ireland, Austria-Hungary and Poland. Historians say Irish-Americans became the most influential
Catholics by the beginning of the twentieth century. By that time, the Catholic Church in America was becoming
increasingly strong.
VOICE TWO:
Catholics established their own schools for young children. These schools became known for excellent education.
The church also established high schools and colleges. For example, Catholic University opened in Washington,
D.C in eighteen-eighty-seven.
Over the years, many Catholic aid groups have assisted millions of people who are poor, sick or old. These aid
groups have helped people of all religions.
Catholics sometimes suffered mistreatment by other Americans. But as time passed, many Catholics gained
important positions. For example, Roman Catholics were elected to positions of power in big cities like New
York, Boston, Massachusetts and Chicago, Illinois. In nineteen -sixty, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the first
Roman Catholic elected president of the United States.
((MUSIC BRIDGE))
VOICE ONE:
American Catholics share beliefs with Roman Catholics around the world. They believe Jesus Christ established
the church. They believe their church has kept and continued his teachings over the years.
Still, Catholic churches in the United States have established some traditions all their own. For example, some
churches use folk and other kinds of music during their masses. Many churches hold special dinners, parties and
game events for their members. Some have sports teams for adults as well as children. Committees of members
advise the priest about local church administration.
VOICE TWO:
The activities of Catholic churches in America require many millions of dollars. Church officials are concerned
about gaining enough money for all these activities. This concern has deepened since reports of sexual crimes by
priests have appeared in the media. Some Catholics are not giving as much money to their church as they did in
the past.
The crisis also has helped increase debate about two other issues. For years, some American Catholics have urged
that priests be permitted to marry. A number of Catholics also say women should be able to become priests.
Those opposed to these proposals say they would violate church tradition. However, supporters say such changes
would help increase the number of priests and ease the shortage. They also believe the changes might help
prevent sexual offenses by priests. They say that most Protestant Christian churches permit their clergy to marry.
In addition, a number of Protestant churches have female priests or ministers. These churches report far fewer
cases of sexual abuse by clergy than the Catholic Church.
VOICE ONE:
In recent public opinion studies, few Catholics say the crisis about priests would cause them to leave the church.
Loyal American Catholics praise the rich spiritual life they gain from their church and its religious service, the
mass. However, many Catholics now say they want more influence in church life. They want church officials to
consider their opinions about important issues.
A high school teacher from the Middle West has been active in his Catholic church for twenty years. He says
members want bishops to continue to advise them in spiritual life. But he believes the unquestioned leadership by
the bishops is over.
((THEME))
VOICE TWO:
This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by George Grow. I’m Steve Ember.
VOICE ONE:
And I’m Mary Tillotson. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA
Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
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