Moment of Truth

The research study conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice titled The Nature and Scope of the Problem of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States was released last week and showed that the number of priests who have sexually abused young people was higher than anticipated. The study found that more than 4,000 priests abused more than 10,000 young people between 1950 and 2002. This translates to about 4 percent of all priests.

Much media attention was focused on the high percentage. And that was valid. But I believe the very fact that the study was done, commissioned by the U.S. bishops, will seem a watershed event in church history. It signals, I hope, a different kind of openness. Time will tell.