The Catholic Church and Sex Offenders

Paper Summary:

This paper explains the Catholic Church has little justification for their past and present practice of covertly handling sex cases and relocating the guilty parties. The author points out that Megan's Law, which forces all convicted sex offenders to register as such and makes this information publicly available, could be seen as an invasion of privacy and further punishing individuals who have already paid their debt to society; however, legislators have taken the perspective that protection of the nation's children is the first priority when handling these issues. The paper relates that the Church is further violating their general position in society and their obligations to be a safe haven from danger and a model for moral existence.

From the Paper:

"Most centrally, the issue regarding sexual molestation is exceedingly delicate because it boarders upon invasion of privacy. For requiring religious authorities to report existing sex offenders, and having them to be registered and publicly identified as such makes it virtually impossible for such individuals to live a life free of stigma and shame. Yet, the risk is the utter ruin and permanent damage done to the innocent; preventing this should be the prevailing concern of lawmakers, and certainly, clerics as well."

More papers on The Catholic Church and Sex Offenders :

• Research Proposal # 28417 : "Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church"
• Essay # 67738 : "The Catholic Church and Women's Rights"
• Research Paper # 66020 : "Pornography"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: