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The Charlotte Observer June 12, 2005 Op-Ed
Child molestation isn't funny
Columnist's joke demeans clergy and trivializes child sexual abuse
From David Hains, director of communication, Diocese of Charlotte:
It was very dismaying to see the Catholic priesthood used as fodder in a humor
column in the The Observer as it was in Doug Robarchek's column June 8.
Suggesting that Michael Jackson should claim to be a Catholic priest as a defense in
his child molestation case is an affront on many levels. It shows an appalling lack of
sensitivity on the part of editors who approved the column.
The column insulted the 134 diocesan and religious order priests who meet the
spiritual needs of nearly 300,000 Catholics in 92 churches and missions in the
Diocese of Charlotte. These men and the overwhelming majority of all priests
faithfully serve God and their parishes in ministry. Priests accept a call from the Lord
to ministry and dedicate themselves to a life of hard work. Disparaging the priesthood
because of the actions of a few is hurtful and unnecessary.
Making a joke about Catholic priests and child molestation also trivializes the diligent
efforts of the Catholic Church over the last three years to root out, apologize and
atone for the sinful crime of sex abuse. The Diocese of Charlotte adopted "The
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" in 2002. Two independent
audits of the diocese have shown us to be in full compliance with the provisions of the
charter and have even commended the diocese for its training program. More than
9,800 Catholics have attended training sessions designed to help them understand this
crime and thereby protect children from sex abuse by any adult.
The Diocese of Charlotte has had very few cases of sexual misconduct by clergy. All
of these incidents were dutifully reported in the secular media and the diocesan
newspaper, The Catholic News & Herald. Details are available on the diocese
website, www.CharlotteDiocese.org.
Even one case of abuse is too many, but in a place such as Charlotte, which has been
relatively untouched by the scandal, you have to ask why the Observer and Mr.
Robarchek make a joke that doesn't even resonate with its audience?
Child molestation, like the Holocaust and lynching, is never funny. To joke about
these topics demeans both the writer and the audience.
________________________________________
Feedback offers persons or groups criticized in Observer editorials, columns or news
stories an opportunity to respond.
Child molestation isn't funny
Columnist's joke demeans clergy and trivializes child sexual abuse
From David Hains, director of communication, Diocese of Charlotte:
It was very dismaying to see the Catholic priesthood used as fodder in a humor
column in the The Observer as it was in Doug Robarchek's column June 8.
Suggesting that Michael Jackson should claim to be a Catholic priest as a defense in
his child molestation case is an affront on many levels. It shows an appalling lack of
sensitivity on the part of editors who approved the column.
The column insulted the 134 diocesan and religious order priests who meet the
spiritual needs of nearly 300,000 Catholics in 92 churches and missions in the
Diocese of Charlotte. These men and the overwhelming majority of all priests
faithfully serve God and their parishes in ministry. Priests accept a call from the Lord
to ministry and dedicate themselves to a life of hard work. Disparaging the priesthood
because of the actions of a few is hurtful and unnecessary.
Making a joke about Catholic priests and child molestation also trivializes the diligent
efforts of the Catholic Church over the last three years to root out, apologize and
atone for the sinful crime of sex abuse. The Diocese of Charlotte adopted "The
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" in 2002. Two independent
audits of the diocese have shown us to be in full compliance with the provisions of the
charter and have even commended the diocese for its training program. More than
9,800 Catholics have attended training sessions designed to help them understand this
crime and thereby protect children from sex abuse by any adult.
The Diocese of Charlotte has had very few cases of sexual misconduct by clergy. All
of these incidents were dutifully reported in the secular media and the diocesan
newspaper, The Catholic News & Herald. Details are available on the diocese
website, www.CharlotteDiocese.org.
Even one case of abuse is too many, but in a place such as Charlotte, which has been
relatively untouched by the scandal, you have to ask why the Observer and Mr.
Robarchek make a joke that doesn't even resonate with its audience?
Child molestation, like the Holocaust and lynching, is never funny. To joke about
these topics demeans both the writer and the audience.
________________________________________
Feedback offers persons or groups criticized in Observer editorials, columns or news
stories an opportunity to respond.
David Hains Media Solutions
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