Pedophilia is not linked to celibacy, but homosexuality, says Cardinal Bertone

Santiago, Chile, Apr 13, 2010 / 11:41 am

During a lengthy press conference in Chile, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, was asked about the possible abolition of clerical celibacy following the revelations of pedophilia among some priests. The cardinal answered by explaining that research shows these two issues to be unrelated, however studies prove that there is a connection between pedophilia and homosexuality.

At a press conference held Monday evening at the Pontifical Seminary of Santiago, the Vatican cardinal remarked, “Many psychologists and psychiatrists have shown that there is no link between celibacy and pedophilia,” but have found a “relationship between homosexuality and pedophilia.”

He noted that “there is much documentation from psychologists in this area.”

Speaking about the scandals of clerical sex abuse against minors, the cardinal said, “the important thing is to provide proper guidance and accept the facts of the past. It is crucial to prevent this in the present and the future through comprehensive training in human and priestly virtues for candidates of the priesthood.”

The cardinal also spoke about the media campaign against the Pope and cited as an example the Wall Street Journal’s report published on April 6 exposing the lies of the New York Times, "saying it is no longer is a news source and only attacks the Catholic Church."

After reiterating that on several occasions the Pope has apologized for the abuses against minors committed by priests, Cardinal Bertone noted that Pope Benedict has always been very aware of this problem and has taken numerous steps to address it.

In addition, he added, while others remain silent, the Church speaks out on other issues related to the dignity of children, young people and women. “The Pope has severely denounced sex tourism and defends the dignity of those exploited in this way,” the cardinal said.

After denying that sexual abuse cases are commonly covered up by the Church, Cardinal Bertone addressed the case of Father Lawrence Murphy. This case, he said, "has already been explained many times. If you read the March 26 edition of Avvenire, in which I myself spoke out, it is well explained. I wrote to request that the case be continued when I was secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. A civil judge, 20 years earlier, had decided to close the process."

Fr. Murphy "was gravely ill, terminally ill. When we received this information, what mattered was that he could no longer do any harm, that he was repentant, and we let him die in peace. Four months later, he in fact died. In this case, the media has created a lot of confusion,” concluded the prelate noting that lies have been spread trying to pin the abuse on himself as well as Pope Benedict XVI.