Thursday 14 June 2012
Watch this....This is an important expose of the basis of psychiatric diagnosis
This excellent video brings to mind many questions. One of them (for me) is this; why does the Catholic hierarchy rely so heavily on psychiatric diagnosis in cases of clergy child abuse? Pope John Paul 11 labelled it a "sin". A choice is involved at the outset. Yes, it becomes addictive and addictive behaviour needs treatment, but who says, and why, that such behaviour cannot be cured? Where is the scientific evidence for this? Not too long ago the American Psychiatric Association (along with many other professional bodies and individuals) made the mistake of thinking that the effects on a child of sexual advances from an adult were not serious...yes, it's true. We now know better, but there is a lot that we do not know. I am tired of seeing discussions about child abuse or abuse of the vulnerable that does not deal with the reality of EVIL! Yes, there are some psychological issues I am sure but in the words of the late Fr. Rufus Pereia, if child abuse is not a sign of demonic activity, I don't know what is! When are our bishops going to wake up to the truth and when are they going to call in those whom they have appointed to be exorcists and those who are involved in the deliverance ministry? The "missing link" in discussions and programmes focusing on child abuse or the abuse of the vulnerable is the DEVIL! What do you think...that abortion involves the devil , exploitation of the poor involves the devil, murder, mayhem, torture and many other evils somehow involve the devil but child abuse is...what? an illness? a behavioural problem, an affective "disfunction"? Do you think that one of the worst atrocities committed in the world today...the sexual abuse of innocent little children and vulnerable teens is not, in any way, about the devil? Are we afraid to say so? Why? I am sick of this inability to face up to reality and name the real enemy.
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Hear, Hear Fr Abberton. Let all who read this offer up a prayer for those who have been affected in any way, by abuse of any sort.
ReplyDeleteOur Lady Seat of Wisdom, pray for us!
Once again Father, I must agree with you.
ReplyDeleteTo say that evil exists and is active in our world (never mind putting a name to this reality) is to invite ridicule and alienation from all quarters but as you say above, this is a reality.
In the same way, if you look at the world around and see the hand of God, you might well be thought of as being a bit weird as well.
As CS Lewis said 'the greatest victory the devil has gained has been to convince people he does not exist'. In my limited knowledge, apart from yourself, there is only one other priest in the Leeds Diocese, who mentions the devil. We need this subject to be more openly discussed from the pulpit.