Pope Benedict XVI made his first stop in Washington DC, during his first ever visit to the United States. One of the first things Benedict XVI has done was address a large group of the American Catholic clergy consisting of priests, bishops, and other figures, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This church is the largest Catholic Church in North America.
One of the main things Benedict XVI had addressed were the sex scandals in the American Catholic clergy. On Thursday, April 17, Benedict XVI privately met with some of the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the Catholic priests.
Bernie McDaid, was one of those victims that managed to tell his story to Pope Benedict XVI. McDaid was an altar boy. When McDaid turned eleven, his priest started the molestation. However, McDaid is one of fifty boys that was sexually molested and abused by the same priest.
In a sense, his story mirrors that of Flora Jessop, a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), an offshoot of the mainstream Mormon Church. Jessop explained that she escaped from the compound in Arizona and ended up turning to drugs and alcohol. McDaid used drugs and alcohol to “escape” the memories of the molestation at the hands of his priest.
After decades, McDaid got his wish, telling the Pope what happened.
“I basically told him that I was an altar boy … a young boy praying to God at the time that I was abused,” McDaid explained. He added: “It wasn’t just sexual abuse, it was spiritual abuse, and I want you to know that.”
McDaid also added that there is a disease growing in the Catholic Church.
Faith Johnston also told her story about how she was molested by her priest. Johnston was fourteen when it began. She explained that her emotions had taken over when talking with Benedict XVI.
The fallout in regards to addressing sex abuse in the Catholic Church is far from over. While a few have been able to speak with Pope Benedict XVI, it is only a matter of time before other victims will publicly speak out.
Within the next few months, sex abuse could be a major hot button topic in regards to the general elections. It could be highly likely that this could be a major issue nearing the end towards the Democratic races as Democratic frontrunners Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are still fighting for the party’s nomination.
With the victims of sex abuse at the hands of the Catholic clergy and the fallout of what is happening in regards to the FDLS, one could bank on the possibility that sex abuse will emerge as a hot button issue.
Leave Your Comments