U.S. bishop: Clerical abuse is ‘predominately homosexual behavior’
Birmingham Bishop Robert J. Baker condemned the sexual abuse by hundreds of priests outlined in the Pennsylvania grand jury report , stating that the abuse was “predominately homosexual.” “We are forced today to face the tragic revelation of scores of accusations of predominately homosexual behavior and abuse,” he wrote in a public letter issued Monday. "Again in recent weeks, the church is thrust deep into the throes of shocking and unanticipated betrayal by the revelations of the sinful, egregious actions of those in positions of power, by those whose lives were meant, through Christ, to be lived sacrificially for others," wrote the bishop. "Whether the acts committed were by hierarchs, priests, or deacons, the evil committed and the evil inflicted is horrific, excruciating, and absolutely intolerable," he wrote. Bishop Baker’s letter came out the same day Pope Francis reacted to the abuse crisis, stating that “clericalism” was the root cause. The bishop noted ...