Adult sex abuse by priests ‘illegal’
Rape Crisis Network Ireland co-ordinator Fiona Neary said sexual exploitation of adult parishioners was a very serious breach of ethics and must not be tolerated.
“We want the law changed on this because it is adult sexual abuse,” she insisted. Unfortunately, she said, some Church leaders still regarded these situations as affairs and not sexual exploitation.
“When you go to see a member of the clergy for help, advice, or as a person in need you should never expect to be encouraged into a sexual relationship,” said Ms Neary.
RCNI is now calling for clear guidelines and disciplinary procedures for the clergy and professional therapists on sexual exploitation to form part of Ireland’s criminal code. While there are no statistics al evidence on the extent of the abuse, RCNI has received many cries for help from people women and men whose pastoral relationship became sexualised.
“Unfortunately, it is the general public as well as the Church who regard these relationships as affairs or lapses. We don’t,” said Ms Neary.
Margaret Kennedy formed a self-help group in Britain called Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors almost seven years ago.
She is working with six lay women in Ireland and three nuns, from both Ireland and England, who were abused by their spiritual directors. “I think we have not addressed the vulnerability of women who seek help from priests and then are exploited sexually.”
