Insisting on accountability in all sexual abuse cases

Insisting on accountabilityin all sexual abuse cases
EDITOR:
There is a parallel between the Catholic bishops who have allowed children to be sexually molested and your recent article about the Air Force academy sex scandal where one of 142 female cadets who were raped sees need for leaders to be held accountable. In fact the cadet victim claims reforms will do little good unless the commanders who ignored rape reports are punished too.
In my search for information that might justify the bishops handling of pedophile cases, I found that:
*Pedophilia is extremely difficult if not impossible to cure. I compare it to one who sets fires. In spite of treatment, counseling, even imprisonment, the pyromaniac will go out again and set fires. Similar conduct has been observed in cases of sexual abuse of minors. After treatment and counsel by the best of psychiatrists and psychologists, the abuser goes out to do it again. (Not all child abusers are pedophiles; symbiotic molesters are capable of change.)
*According to Dr. Mary Helen Kreidler, a nurse-teacher at Akron University, victims of abuse are made to believe the perpetrator loves them. The molester will stalk a group of children and single out his victim as a child he can dominate and control. Further, it is easier to find victims if he is in a position of power or trust. A priest is in such a position and because of his unique leadership role is able to bring about the worst possible spiritual damage to his victims as well. In most cases the victim is blamed for the crime.
*Victims of pedophilia often cannot recall, talk about or overcome their shame till 30 or 40 years later; the pain is so horrific, it is suppressed. Some never fully recall the ordeal.
Much has been learned about pedophilia since 20 or 30 years ago, but did not church leaders become knowledgeable of these facts as time went by? Priests were transferred from one parish to another -- even to different dioceses to protect serial predators. Because of their shame, I can understand the bishops' denials, cover-ups, attempts to gag those who exposed their secrets and even pay off victims. But like the young cadet, I don't see current reforms doing much good unless they are accompanied by accountability of those who permitted the crimes to take place.
JOHN WIRTZ
North Jackson
Miller's report on airport deserved better than it got
EDITOR:
It was quite disconcerting to read the comments of the commissioners of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with regard to the "held back" report of Bruce Miller to the Western Reserve Port Authority (regarding development of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport). It is one thing to have an opinion (I have opinions all of the time); it is another to have the facts to support an opinion. Aldous Huxley said: "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
It is my conclusion that the commissioners, who were so quick to express their opinions on this report, ignored the facts. Quite frankly, I suspect they did not even take the time to read the report; if they had, there is no reasonable way they would have made these statements. Their comments are ones of appeasement. Their reactions were typical politicians' responses. They were catering to a specific voting block. By the way, in today's world of politics, they are not alone. A majority of politicians today are prone to telling the public what they perceive it wants to hear, not what it should hear.
I suggest that Commissioners O'Brien, Angelo and Sherlock take the time to read the report. In my opinion, this report was factual and truthful. If given attention, could serve as a road map for the future of the Mahoning Valley.
Unfortunately, as Francis Bacon said: "Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true."
CHARLES H. BENTZ
Warren