- Email: [email protected]
RE: Response and an additional comment on “the Legacy of the Clergy Abuse Scandal” (D. Finkelhor, 2003)
Child Abuse & Neglect 28 (2004) 1251–1252
Letter to the Editor
RE: Response and an additional comment on “the Legacy of the Clergy Abuse Scandal” (D. Finkelhor, 2003)
To the Editor
As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst for 50 years, my approach has been to understand the psychological dynamics of the individuals involved in any hurtful activity. In examining the many cases of “sexual misconduct” in the Catholic clergy (and the resultant cover up) we should look at the individual’s likely conflicts and defenses. 1. The religious leaders who acted sexually inappropriately with young people under their supervision: It is fairly clear that these individuals has some significant emotional conflicts. They should be considered as emotionally ill, and in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. 2. The children who participated in the inappropriate sexual activity did so voluntarily or with coercion: If they did this voluntarily they also have some significant emotional problems in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. If they were coerced and did not inform their parents, then they are living in a very troubled home and are very troubled themselves; and are in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. 3. The families of the children who were sexually misused: Those families who had children who needed such an emotionally significant sexual activity with the clergy on a voluntary basis are in a troubled relationship with their parents, and that family (particularly the parents) have some significant emotional problems. Therefore, they are in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. 4. The clerical hierarchy that attempted to cover up and used various mechanical and monetary devices to cover up these inappropriate activities were functioning individually and as a group in not only a dishonest manner but the antithesis of the principles of the Catholic Church that they supposedly support. On many grounds moral, ethical, and legal, they may well be in error. Our concern is psychopathology. If the leadership of any organization, particularly an important societal structure, functions in an injurious manner to its followers; they are like a parent that is injurious to its child. Such a parent is significantly emotionally ill and is in need of psychotherapeutic assistance.
0145-2134/$ – see front matter © 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.10.004
1252
Letter to the Editor / Child Abuse & Neglect 28 (2004) 1251–1252
Punitive responses superficially and temporarily deal with neurotic guilt, and may make the general public feel relieved. That is not adequate to the situation. Not uncommonly it produces significant negative defensive repercussions in the individuals and the community. Our first consideration must be therapeutic for the acute situation and a general therapeutic attitude involved in a preventive program for the larger community. Anything else has a counterproductive quality.
Reference Finkelhor, D. (2003). The legacy of the clergy abuse scandal. Child Abuse & Neglect, 27(11), 1225–1229.
Sander J. Breinera,b Michigan State University, USA b Wayne State University Franklin Pointe Office Center 7457 Franklin Road, Suite 304 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301-3604, USA a
Letter to the Editor
RE: Response and an additional comment on “the Legacy of the Clergy Abuse Scandal” (D. Finkelhor, 2003)
To the Editor
As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst for 50 years, my approach has been to understand the psychological dynamics of the individuals involved in any hurtful activity. In examining the many cases of “sexual misconduct” in the Catholic clergy (and the resultant cover up) we should look at the individual’s likely conflicts and defenses. 1. The religious leaders who acted sexually inappropriately with young people under their supervision: It is fairly clear that these individuals has some significant emotional conflicts. They should be considered as emotionally ill, and in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. 2. The children who participated in the inappropriate sexual activity did so voluntarily or with coercion: If they did this voluntarily they also have some significant emotional problems in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. If they were coerced and did not inform their parents, then they are living in a very troubled home and are very troubled themselves; and are in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. 3. The families of the children who were sexually misused: Those families who had children who needed such an emotionally significant sexual activity with the clergy on a voluntary basis are in a troubled relationship with their parents, and that family (particularly the parents) have some significant emotional problems. Therefore, they are in need of psychotherapeutic assistance. 4. The clerical hierarchy that attempted to cover up and used various mechanical and monetary devices to cover up these inappropriate activities were functioning individually and as a group in not only a dishonest manner but the antithesis of the principles of the Catholic Church that they supposedly support. On many grounds moral, ethical, and legal, they may well be in error. Our concern is psychopathology. If the leadership of any organization, particularly an important societal structure, functions in an injurious manner to its followers; they are like a parent that is injurious to its child. Such a parent is significantly emotionally ill and is in need of psychotherapeutic assistance.
0145-2134/$ – see front matter © 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.10.004
1252
Letter to the Editor / Child Abuse & Neglect 28 (2004) 1251–1252
Punitive responses superficially and temporarily deal with neurotic guilt, and may make the general public feel relieved. That is not adequate to the situation. Not uncommonly it produces significant negative defensive repercussions in the individuals and the community. Our first consideration must be therapeutic for the acute situation and a general therapeutic attitude involved in a preventive program for the larger community. Anything else has a counterproductive quality.
Reference Finkelhor, D. (2003). The legacy of the clergy abuse scandal. Child Abuse & Neglect, 27(11), 1225–1229.
Sander J. Breinera,b Michigan State University, USA b Wayne State University Franklin Pointe Office Center 7457 Franklin Road, Suite 304 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301-3604, USA a