Priest targeted by the permissive society

COMMENTATORS on the bishops’ visit to Rome seem to imply that the chief sexual abusers of children are Catholic priests.

This is incorrect. US figures show American priests are among those least likely to be abusers, and it is a fair guess that the same is true of Ireland where abuse is spread through all society.

Yet in America, as in Ireland, the spin is that priests are the chief culprits while other groups are let off the hook.