Clergy sexual abuse. (Letters).

SARA MORELLO ("AN Unholy Alliance," into focus what has become a complex issue for most Catholics: Who is to blame for the sexual abuse crisis? Careful statements by US bishops have convinced far too many that the current scandal is an aberration of an overzealous media and the result of a few errant priests. Survivors and groups such as CFFC have long recognized the finger of blame is pointed in the wrong direction, and Sara Morello's analysis is right on the mark. The crisis is rooted in the hierarchy and extends deep into the Vatican.

No longer should the Holy See be allowed to claim ignorance or hide behind a cloak of secrecy. Each day we hear from victims who have been brutally abused outside American borders. These crimes extend to every corner of the world, and should compel the United Nations to take notice and demand accountability from the Vatican. It seems as though the abusive Catholic culture only becomes a problem when the truth comes out. Considering that, this problem is going to become much, much worse.

SUSAN ARCHIBALD
President, The Linkup--Survivors
of Clergy Abuse
Louisville, KY

SARA MORELLO'S INSIGHTFUL article accurately summarizes the horrendous problem of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic church. While the bare facts of the worldwide incidence of clergy abuse are shocking in themselves, the seemingly never-ending campaign by official church leaders to avoid responsibility is more than scandalous.

Ms. Morello rightly joins with other critical voices in asking what will be done that will change things and not simply decry the past. The many statements by the Holy See, the bishops' conference in the US, and individual bishops throughout the world mean little and can actually be counterproductive as religious and secular society justifiably await an end to apologies and vacant promises and the visible beginning of a long and short term plan of action.

I wholeheartedly support the proposals relative to action on the United Nations level. Although the church leadership will criticize the UN within the context of issues of doctrine and moral theology, it is appalling that the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare of thousands of children--victims of clergy abuse--is subordinated to the esoteric realm of theological discussion. Catholic doctrine may criticize UN organs for their efforts at promoting family planning programs, yet these concerns are minuscule compared to the very real rape and pillage of children worldwide by Catholic clergy and the obvious inability of the institutional church to effectively deal with this long-standing crime wave.

THOMAS P. DOYLE, J.C.D.
Ramstein Air Base, Germany