Domestic Level Issues of the Catholic Church

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-secret-priest-files-20130407,0,3350460.story

This story addresses the issue of abuse by priests of the church towards young children. The Chicago Tribune writes the story that covers priests from Joliet Diocese as well as others and their abuse towards children, and how the bishops of the church respond to accusations and inquire investigations. This is a domestic issue of the Church, as it is widespread and re-occurring, going back possibly for decades. Its recent unveiling has led to new issues, such as the ones addressed here of improper response and inadequate action taken by the overseeing hierarchy of the church. On the individual level, we see that each priest is acting in his own personal interest, and oftentimes the bishop acts in that way as well in the form of a cover up or inadequate action against the suspected or accused priest. They want to protect the integrity of the church, yet when they cover up and protect their priests more than they protect their members they only reveal the impropriety that is ongoing. It is unfortunate that I am able to report on such a sad story, but the fact that these cases occur in places nearby such as Joliet, Warrenville, and single priest are able to continue their crime in various states without persecution show that the church is not doing enough on the domestic level to control their priests on an individual level and that it is occurring in areas relevant to us. Those who are accused seem most times to only get a smack on the wrist, before being reassigned. Convictions are most likely more possible than current rates of conviction indicate. The ethnic conflict is within the church, stemming from a domestic level corruption that leads to an individual level temptation. The victims are also affected and form their own domestic groups acting in the interest of the people attending these churches who want assurance that their children are safe in the hands of their religious leaders.