RELIGION

Coloring Outside the Lines

The New York Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic church has an unusual new weapon against child abuse.

By Jessica Bennett | NEWSWEEK
From the magazine issue dated Dec 10, 2007

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  • Posted By: ElveeKaye @ 06/07/2008 2:44:26 PM

    Are you kidding me?? The Catholic Church has to WARN CHILDREN NEVER TO BE ALONE WITH A PRIEST??? How can any Catholic see something like that and not be clued in that their church is MESSED UP?? Oh, yeah, and where's the page explaining to the children that the God they worship. the one who is supposed to love all the little children of the world. is going to sit by and do nothing while they are raped by a priest? What a messed-up religion.

  • Posted By: AnaMalios1 @ 12/02/2007 4:04:17 PM

    Simply said: The deviant men who harmed children and the Catholic Church, who are pawns of the Satan himself, are both HOMOSEXUALS AND PEDOPHILES. Let's not be politically correct people, call it what it is.

    • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/03/2007 8:37:38 AM

      I do not believe pedophilia is directly linked to homosexuality (But an unbiased study would be interesting) I do suspect repressed sexuality, or being taught that ones inherent sexual drives can be controlled by religious dogma can often lead to pedophilia and other violent forms of sexual predation. Denial is more than just a river in Egypt, and when the river of human lust over flows its banks after years of failed attempts at controlling it, the results can be devastating. Children are lead to believe that these men of the cloth are divine by parents who are so blind that even when their children are raped and tortured the parents still see with the eyes of the indoctrinated. Wake up people, your churches are destroying your children.

      • Posted By: ladynyssa @ 12/05/2007 12:17:41 PM

        Childern are also lead to believe that thier parents are suppose to love you and care for you, but look at how many cases of abuse (in all it's forms) and neglect there are. I don't see the church being involved in that.

        • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/19/2007 4:30:33 PM

          Then look closer, or open your eyes.

  • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/03/2007 8:14:26 AM


    The only way to prevent child abuse in the Church is to close it. Anyone taking a vow of celibacy is a liar in heart if not in deeds, and any attempt to deny the monstrous acts is linked is simply childish. One of the great ironies in modern life is the battle between churches and gay groups. because if the church actually ever modernizes and makes it acceptable for young people to live homosexual lives openly, the priesthood shall cease to exist. From now till then, any homosexuals raised devoutly and encouraged to join the priesthood as an alternative to an openly gay life shall continue to molest children.

    • Posted By: ladynyssa @ 12/05/2007 11:35:28 AM

      What does being gay have to do with molesting a child? Sorry to tell you this but homosexual's are not into little childern. People (no matter what they do or where they come from) who prey on childern are called pedophiles. Homosexuals are people who prefer their on sex. I was molested by a pedophile and he was not of the church. Plus, I'm female, how does this make him a homosexual?

      • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/19/2007 4:28:59 PM

        See the statistics above. Your case is an aberation from the norm. Pedophiles come in two flavors, homo and hetro, and MOST Christian church pedophiles are men who bugger boys. Plenty rape girls as well, but nowhere near 50 percent

  • Posted By: RTCRuiser @ 12/18/2007 12:01:48 AM

    It's just this kind of mentality that has kept Islam in the stone ages. What next beatings for children who don't obey the rules and are unlucky enough to be caught alone in a room with an adult who is not related to them? The church needs to wake up and and start tackling the problem with it's priests instead of putting the responsibility onto the children

  • Posted By: PC_CapeTownSA @ 12/08/2007 5:57:02 PM

    I guess the US Catholic Church is damned if they do and damned if they don't. If training or informing children is pointless what should be done then? I guess training children can lead to a lot of false positives but since some say pedophilia is so prevalent - I never came across it myself yet I am non-US Catholic,
    what is the alternative? As for Child abuse in the RC Church I think the matter has been oversensationalised by the US media. In my country South Africa we recently has a child abuse scandal in the Oprah Winfrey
    school for girls here. No-one is blaming Oprah for this but somehow the US Catholic Chuch has been
    victimised by this IMHO. Have studies been done among child abuse in Protestant/Muslim/Jewish religious communities too or is it just easy to blame the RCC because of the media and highly paid lawyers and crazy US lawsuits? Anyway I raised many points here as an outsider who lives in a country with very high child abuse figures - South Africa.

    • Posted By: delvedeeper @ 12/13/2007 11:50:59 AM

      What should be done? Maybe training the adults would be a better idea. They could have coloring books and classes to show the priests and other adults which areas are private, show adults and children's bodies with those areas covered. They could also explain the meaning of "private parts" and why we call them that. Maybe even post some nice signs in their break areas with simple graphics? "Don't touch, show, or discuss these areas with children!"

    • Posted By: delvedeeper @ 12/13/2007 11:50:20 AM

      What should be done? Maybe training the adults would be a better idea. They could have coloring books and classes to show the priests and other adults which areas are private, show adults and children's bodies with those areas covered. They could also explain the meaning of "private parts" and why we call them that. Maybe even post some nice signs in their break areas with simple graphics? "Don't touch, show, or discuss these areas with children!"

  • Posted By: The Shadow @ 12/12/2007 9:15:38 AM

    "they're doing everything they can to prevent such tragedies from happening again"

    The coloring book is not a response to a "tragedy". It is a response to crimes. And not just run of the mill crimes, but heinous sexual crimes against children, crimes that were willfully ignored and covered up by the silk-stockinged Princes of the church.

    Tragedy my ass.

    Rather than cash settlements and creepy coloring books, the proper response to this outrage is to jail every bishop and cardinal that stood by, hiding behind the gravitas of the Prince of Peace, while allowing sexual criminals free reign over the most vulnerable of their flock.

    Enough.

  • Posted By: audiking @ 12/10/2007 1:18:34 AM

    I cannot believe you would tell a child not to be in a room alone with an adult. This onus should be on the adult,not the child! If the adult is not trustworthy, he/she should not be with children in the first place. Our children need to grow up with respect and trust in adults. This statement in this coloring book is abusive to children!

  • Posted By: randancer @ 12/09/2007 5:55:32 PM

    Aren't "parents, teachers, counselors" (not just priests) the people who commit abuse? How sad to think kids can't trust anyone.

  • Posted By: Christina Yang @ 12/01/2007 11:20:10 PM

    I think SOME of the allegations have been legit over the years; however, I think the majority have been people who jump onto the bandwagon to collect fast, easy money. I have known many priests over the years, and NONE of them would be capable of such atrocities!

    • Posted By: Jden @ 12/08/2007 9:06:40 PM

      How can you or I say what hides in another's heart or soul? Those who seem charming are often physically abusive, and those who seem pure are often hiding their darkness!

      I am sorry, Christina, but there is no way you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that "NONE of them would be capable of such atrocities!" Only the maker knows what is in anyone's heart and soul.

    • Posted By: runner54 @ 12/02/2007 4:17:33 AM

      To Christina Yang

      Do you have any idea how hurtful comments like yours (re bandwagon) are to people who have been so badly injured by those in which they should have implicit trust? The American justice system still works on the premise that one is innocent until proven guilty. Victims have to have a legal basis to file claims and to be a part of a settlement. Please go to the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (look under online support-Discussion Board) or Bishop Accountability for more information about the sickening extent of the RCC cover-up of twisted priests that continues today-read about the recent cases in Chicago, for example. The truth of the matter is you really DON'T know what the priests you have known are capable of. Studies have shown that most pedophiles and sexual abusers are very charming and charismatic. Check the sites I have suggested, you might just see names you recognize. Also, please try to be more compassionate toward those who are wounded by the church and please don't make assumptions about collecting "fast, easy money." I doubt that going through legal proceedings is very fast or ... easy.

      • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/03/2007 4:07:06 PM

        Never before in a forum such as this have I ever lowered myself to name calling and I intend to keep that tradition, so I have decided to not call you a blithering idiot. All I ask is you wake up to the reality of rapists hiding behind your altars. If you refuse to do so, then you are complicit in the future rapes that will happen, and the rapes that are happening as we write.

  • Posted By: STREETSENSENO1 @ 12/02/2007 8:48:30 AM

    A CHILD SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FEAR BEING IN A ROOM WITH AN ADULT.
    TEACH YOUR PRIESTS THAT IT ISNT RIGHT FOR THEM TO HAVE THEM THOUGHTS.
    WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HAVE SOME SCREENING FOR PRIESTS?

    • Posted By: Jden @ 12/08/2007 8:40:45 PM

      Screenings and psychological evaluations are a good idea for any profession that involves socialization!

  • Posted By: Rizor @ 12/02/2007 3:33:08 PM

    This is rediculous.... don't be alone with a priest.....what about the nuns? aren't they all a bunch of lesbians?

    • Posted By: Jden @ 12/08/2007 8:24:14 PM

      I will say this yet again... Females in the church have victimized both young males and young females. Please, please, stop assuming that it's all homosexual pedophilia. Pedophilia is pedophilia, homosexuality is homosexuality.

      Instead of worrying about sexual orientation, worry about teaching your kids that it's not okay for anybody to touch them in a sexual manner! I've taught my child early on about self respect and the right to say no, as well as the importance of talking to me about anything that happens in her life! Open communication with your child is a must in this messed up world!

    • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/03/2007 11:13:09 AM

      Obviously and habit forming to boot! But our current pop culture considers lesbians as hot, and male homosexuals as creepy. Anyone who claims to be immune from sexual lust is either mad, or a liar. In most of these cases time has shown us their are frequently both!

  • Posted By: AnaMalios1 @ 12/02/2007 4:06:57 PM

    Simply said: Those deviant men who harmed children and harmed the Church, who are pawns of Satan himself, are both HOMOSEXUALS AND PEDOPHILES. Let's not be politically correct people, call it what it is.

    • Posted By: tjgabes @ 12/02/2007 4:35:03 PM

      Your over-generalization and lack of empirical evidence is over-simplistic and absurd. What a ridiculous statement to make!

      I think from now on, I will blame food shortages, mass-starvation, over-population, misuse of the environment, and genocide on all heterosexuals. From now on, in my world, all problems can be blamed on breeder -- the TRUE TOOLS OF SATAN!

      Can't you see how silly of an idea this is? One cannot equate homosexuality with pedophilia.

      • Posted By: farleys @ 12/02/2007 8:17:14 PM

        I agree with tjgabes. AND...it's not even close to being about "political correctness". Rape is rape, it is NOT sex (and the larger percentage of pedophiles choose their crimes with both boys AND girls, so gender often has NOTHING to do with it...it's about POWER (oh the mighty preisthood) and to equate homosexuality (which in and of itself does not equate molestation or rape) with that ilk is simplifying abuse on molestation and rape victims.

    • Posted By: Jden @ 12/08/2007 8:17:18 PM

      Not all are homosexual... Remember, there are female victims out there, to! And there are females within the church who victimize either young men or young women, as well.

    • Posted By: ladynyssa @ 12/05/2007 11:55:59 AM

      Ok, we seem to have a problem here. Pedophiles rape and molest yound childern. Homoseaxuals are not I repeat not into little kids. There is a difference. It is not be potitically correct, it is just being correct.
      As for Satan beig the root cause of all the evils in the world. Sorry to tell you this, but Satan has nothing to do with it. It is just an easy excuse and an escape goat for the problems in the world.

  • Posted By: mainemooster12 @ 12/06/2007 3:25:25 PM

    Although I don't agree with homosexuality or gay marrige, I think that society should put a stop to our anti-gay feelings. If were to accept all people perhaps men wouldn't become priests to hide their homosexuality and in turn abuse young boys. I would never disciminate based on a person's sexual orientation, and neither should ANYBODY else. Let them have the civil unions they want or whatever, just stop the rejection.

    • Posted By: Jden @ 12/08/2007 8:04:57 PM

      This article is about pedophilia, not sexual orientation. Changing views on homosexual relationships have little or no bearing in this matter. Young women are exploited as well as young men.

  • Posted By: jobarton @ 12/07/2007 3:08:03 AM

    The current body of research in the field of child sex abuse comports with church history and is very clear: children are no match for pedophiles. There are virtually no experts in this field who advise that training children to protect themselves is an effective method of combatting child sex abuse. This is the responsibility of adults. Pedophiles gravitate to positions that bring them into contact with children, be that as a priest, a teacher, a coach, bus driver, or friend of single parent in need of respite. While the Archdiocese may feel it is fulfilling its mandate to prevent child sex abuse at the hands of priests, this seems an ill-advised, wrong-headed approach and leads one to speculate on the veracity of the experts used for consultation before taking this tool to press, let alone distributing it to children. Placing the burden on children for protecting themselves from predators merely increases the likelihood they will not report abuse if it happens, happens in nine out of ten child sex abuse cases. I'm afraid the Church still doesn't get it.

  • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/06/2007 12:01:44 PM

    It should be increasingly self evident that female adults engae in sex with minors far more often than most people believe. Nuns, school teachers and doctors have all recently been exposed as pedophiles, but due to societal standards the victims are often cheered rather than treated, and the perpetrators are punished with much less severe consequences than a male child rapist is. While most might think a woman with a boy is somehow ok, studies indicate these boys then turn the tables in adulthood and become predators themselves.

  • Posted By: Deppisch @ 12/06/2007 10:01:50 AM

    Maybe the obvious eludes us. Scrap the age old law of Priests not being married. Which is not biblical but it is traditional. Maybe we need to allow our traditions to be seen through biblical eyes. Priests are good men put in difficult requirements. Its not natural to not be married. Few are gifted to be celibate, for the rest, allow them to marry for heavens sake... no for our sake.

    • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/06/2007 11:43:22 AM

      Homosexual marriage is still illegal, and marriage wont solve anything. Most pedophiles in the church are men who rape boys. Unless you want men to marry boys, their desires shall still be unmet and they will still be predators

  • Posted By: Vatican II Mark @ 12/06/2007 3:35:34 AM

    If a book such as that must be distributed...then there is something wrong with the entire 9 yards. As serious as the call for Vatican II....

    There are some people that do not celebrate the Mass in this country, and that comic book is a good reason to think about why and the future of The Church in the USA...seriously, isn't that why they have Protestants?

    • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 12/06/2007 11:36:39 AM

      Protestant preachers rape just as many children as Roman Catholics Priests due, but much like Al Qaeda they have decentralized their structure to avoid liability.

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