A new study has found that six percent of U.S. seminarians have experienced some form of sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct; another four percent said they might have experienced misconduct but were not sure; while 89% report none.
The survey comes amid heightened scrutiny of seminary culture in the wake of revelations of grooming behavior and years of sexual harassment by high-profile Church figures such as former cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Bishop Michael Bransfield.
Of those surveyed, 84% of seminarians believe their administration and faculty take reports of such misconduct very seriously, according to the announcement accompanying the report.
The University of Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University collaborated to produce the study, which the researchers presented at the 2019 Religion News Association conference last weekend.
Of those who said they have or may have experienced sexual harassment, 80% pointed to a fellow seminary student or religious in formation as the alleged perpetrator.
Three in four seminarians reported that sexual harassment, abuse, or misconduct are “not at all a problem” at their current seminary or house of formation. Nearly nine in ten said there is none or little talk or rumors of sexual promiscuity at their seminary.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
‘at their current seminary . . .’ How many have moved because of issues at a former seminary?
All leaders need to be vigilant that such abuse is rooted out and kept out. Otherwise, some get the impression such behavior is tolerated if not encouraged. Not too hard to see where that leads.
Why these “abuse victims” never seem to defend themselves with a few well placed punches is beyond me! If anyone on the street was attempting to victimize a seminarian, surely they would fight back. How about calling the police boys? Really, take control and be manly!
Wonk,
Behavior such as punching can get a seminarian kicked-out. At the very least, he’ll be put under an intense spotlight. Also, a seminarian who goes to the rector will typically be counter-accused of the same behavior by the perpetrator. This is typical of the lavender mafia.
The lavender mafia undoubtedly continues this behavior into priesthood. At this level, though, it may not be sufficient to merely counter-accuse a victim. I fear that the lavender mafia tries to gain scandalous evidence against their bishops [possibly through intentional set-ups] for the purposes of blackmailing them into submission.
Seitz, reporting crime often has unintended consequences for the victim, but the strong man does what is right! Homo-predators have been allowed to run through seminaries as though they were gay clubs. How do you expect the filth to be swept away if nobody has the courage to call them out? Seminarians must be willing to sacrifice for greater good, they must stand up for themselves.
Wonk,
I was not making excuses, especially for someone serious about the moral life – I was only explaining why weaker souls might not report.
Wonk,
To clarify, forcible rape doesn’t happen in seminaries except for the rarest of cases. Therefore, punching is elective.
Seitz, weaker souls aren’t what seminaries need these days. Strong well balanced men who act as such, yes, that’s what needed. If a man isn’t willing to defend himself or report assailants he really isn’t a good match for the priesthood. When it comes to seminaries, no fraidy cats need apply.
You have no evidence of any of that Steve.
Anonymous,
Well, I was threatened in the seminary many years ago. Further, I was warned about it in advance. In other words, I received good advice before going forward.
About the lavender mafia and bishops, this is merely a suspicion of mine. Nevertheless, it does fall into the same pattern of behavior. If I were a bishop, I’d be very mindful of the possibility of someone intentionally and repeatedly throwing “red meat” in front of me.
The system is rigged to protect the perpetrators. A seminarian’s only defense is his fists. Getting kicked out the seminary is better than being sodomized. A man is within his rights to resist mortal sin. He may save his soul by doing so. Besides, the Pope’s stance on capital punishment and life imprisonment reduce the prospect of people getting punished for committing serious crimes, much less for legitimate acts of self defense even if falsely accused of committing a hate crime. A faithful Catholic man should be well trained in self defense before entering the seminary. He should also know how to secure evidence that can lead to the conviction of a sexual predator. It is time to nuke up against the homosexual rape gang that is running rampant in the Church. It is time to take the battle to them. Prepare for war!
Thank You
Punching the perpetrator only solves this particular event but not all subsequent behavior with others. Making a police report might be good, although it does make it easy for the victim. What a terrible state of affairs.