Panichas (2002) reported that sexual deviancy among Roman Catholic priests in the United States remains. Pedophile and adult sexual offense cases are known. The role of the priest in this abuse has included cover-ups, neglect, and arrogance. Panichas stated that the Church has contributed to the spirit of permissiveness and reconciliation attempts have resulted in compromises that allowed for the deviancy to continue.
A 91-page report by Attorney General Tom Reilly confirms the sexual abuse of at least 789 children and maybe more than one-thousand, by 250 priests and workers of the Archdiocese of Boston, which has taken place since 1940. This report is a result of evidence gathering over a 16-month criminal investigation. Since the state's child abuse reporting law was not applicable since it did not include priests until 2002, the senior archdiocese managers did not report the suspected child sexual abuse to authorities despite evidence. Thus criminal charges could not be brought against the archdiocese and its senior managers ("Report details," 2003).
Steinfels (2002) reported that there is a current "flood of revelations" about Catholic priests who are preying on minors and Catholic officials are failing to expose these claims. Panichas (2002) stated that newspaper columnists have attempted to analyze the church scandals. Steinfels noted that public polls of Catholics have registered their loss of confidence in Catholic leaders. Interviews are demonstrating anger. Catholics are attending other churches. Within the scandal the truth has become blurred and so-called facts may be wrong. However, while the problem may not be understood the magnitude of the consequences is not diminished.
Victims of this abuse continue to suffer and trust in the church is eroded. Mitchell (2002) reported as a victim of clergy sexual abuse: "Those of us who have been hidden behind shame, disbelief and cover-up are heaving a s...