Connecticut centre ‘manages’ paedophile priests

In the 19th century, the Institute of Living treated Christian missionaries who were having trouble readjusting to life in the US after years abroad.

Now, it has a programme to treat priests who have molested children.

Each year, a few priests receive treatment at the institute in Hartford, Connecticut, for what experts call a ‘‘disorder of desire.’’

The private institution, founded in 1822, said it is not in the business of ‘‘curing’’ patients of their sexual desire for children.

‘‘This is not something that goes away, any more than you can change the sexual desire of a heterosexual or homosexual person,’’ said Heidi McCloskey, who directs the treatment programme.

‘‘What we have to do is figure out how to manage it.’’

Managing the problem typically involves a stay of three to six months.

During the first couple of weeks, patients undergo extensive testing to determine their arousal and behavioural patterns.

Patients participate in three group psychotherapy sessions each day and meet one-on-one with therapists two to three times a week.

They also take medication, usually antidepressants, which have the side effect of curbing sexual desire.

The Institute of Living started its treatment program for paedophile priests in the mid-1980s, when the problem first received national attention. McCloskey estimated she has treated about 60 priests.

The Catholic church has been engulfed by a child abuse scandal in recent months in the US, after it was disclosed that a priest in Boston - who was originally from Co Clare - suspected of abusing youngsters was moved from parish to parish.

The now-defrocked priest, John Geoghan, is in prison for groping a boy and has been accused of molesting more than 130 children over 30 years. Since then, dozens of priests across the country have been suspended or forced to resign.