Vatican: Ephebophilia, Not Pedophilia

[Martinus]

Vatican: Ephebophilia, Not Pedophilia
Catholic priests who sexually abuse young people should not be called "pedophiles," said a Vatican official.
By Julie Bolcer

The Vatican has suggested that instances of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests would be more accurately described as ephebophilia -- attraction to mid to late adolescents -- rather than pedophilia.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations, argued for the change in terminology in a statement following a meeting of the U.N. human rights council in Geneva.

"Of all priests involved in the abuses, 80 to 90 percent belong to this sexual orientation minority which is sexually engaged with adolescent boys between the ages of 11 and 17," said Tomasi, according to London's The Guardian newspaper.

In the statement, Tomasi also attempted to deflect criticism of the Vatican's handling of sexual abuse scandals by pointing a finger at other church bodies, reported The Guardian.

Tomasi cited statistics to argue that no more than 5% of Catholic clergy were involved in sexual abuse, claiming that the majority of American churches struggling with abuse allegations were Protestant.

This is soooooo bloody funny.

[Viking]

semantics

[Faeelin]

"No more than 1 in 20 of our clergy sexually abuse children!"

That should be on their T shirts.

[Malthus]

"Only" 5%?   

[Caliga]

As of May 2007, the Vatican website stated that there were some 406,411 priests serving the Church worldwide.

I'm relieved to learn that there are only approximately 20,320 pedophiles/ephebophiles serving as Catholic priests.

[Ed Anger]

I'm sure Woody Allen approves.

[The Minsky Moment]

Expect to see postings for openings in the Vatican PR department.

[Duque de Bragança]

Better than calling that Pederasty, too.

[Martinus]

As of May 2007, the Vatican website stated that there were some 406,411 priests serving the Church worldwide.

I'm relieved to learn that there are only approximately 20,320 pedophiles/ephebophiles serving as Catholic priests.

Twenty thousands, and none of them made any good movies.

[Neil]

Twenty thousand Martinuses?  Yeesh.

[derspiess]

Twenty thousands, and none of them made any good movies.

Were you an ugly kid?

[Martinus]

Twenty thousands, and none of them made any good movies.

Were you an ugly kid?

Allegedly not. But I've never been molested, so I guess I was.

[Valmy]

As of May 2007, the Vatican website stated that there were some 406,411 priests serving the Church worldwide.

I'm relieved to learn that there are only approximately 20,320 pedophiles/ephebophiles serving as Catholic priests.

Wait there  are 1 billion Catholics right?  So there are 2500 worshipers for every priest?  Damn those churches must get crowded.

[Malthus]

Twenty thousands, and none of them made any good movies.

Were you an ugly kid?

Allegedly not. But I've never been molested, so I guess I was.

I guess you only knew 19 priests. 

[Brazen]

This reminds me of the teacher who got sacked for referring to his colleagues as pedagogues in a memo.