Cardinal Says Paedophilia Not Criminal
This astounding statement was made by Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier and is reported here on the BBC. Here’s the first few paragraphs.
The Catholic Archbishop of Durban, Wilfrid Fox Napier, has described paedophilia as a psychological “illness, not a criminal condition”.
The South African cardinal told the BBC that people who were themselves abused as children and then abused others needed to be examined by doctors.
Do these guys live in the real world?
A scandal sheet has pointed out that hailed Pope is actually an anagram of paedophile. Search for the phrase in Google and you find a lot of matches.
My father who was a stickler for spelling would probably be arguing that paedophile is properly spelled with a diphthong. As I said in this post, diphthongs in letterpress type have a really solid feel.
The Anonymous Widower 
While there is surely a psychological element to paedophilia (British English spelling always best, as you say), it would not be wise for this to be a “get out of jail” card for offenders. The Archbishop might be providing excuses for the vilest of crimes.
Also, he should perhaps bear in mind – among others – these words of Jesus Christ pertaining to attitudes to/treatment of children:
” But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Matthew 18: 6
I wonder how paeophile priests square Christ’s words and their own consciences with their deeds.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013 |
My late wife met a lot of the very worst paedophiles professionally. Quite a few had been abused as children and went on to abuse. But that’s not an excuse!
Comment by AnonW | March 16, 2013 |
No, indeed. It is tragic if they have been abused as children and it would be good to see the perpetrators brought to justice if they are still alive, but it is, as you say, no excuse and does not automatically follow that the abused will become an abuser. One example I can think of is Billy Connolly, who was, he says, sexually abused for years as a child by his father. Billy Connolly is not a paedophile and seems very grounded and well-adjusted, despite his traumatic childhood experiences. People can rise above the worst of experiences, as we know from so many Holocaust survivors.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013
I don’t know, but it’s not a simple subject. You wonder though that some of those who were abused and have got over the awful memories, are those that have found success or respect. I suffered a lot of bullying at school and even had my arm broken, but except for the gammy arm, it hasn’t left any mental effects.
Comment by AnonW | March 16, 2013 |
I think it might sometimes be a way of putting the past firmly behind them and – as the past can’t be changed – creating a positive life for themselves and those around them. However, as you say, it is a complex subject.
I am sorry you were bullied at school and had your arm broken (rough stuff!) and am glad it left no lasting effects.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013 |
It probably did physically and as it was the left arm, I compensated by using the right more. A neurologist I saw said I suffer from neglect syndrome. I need to work on the arm and because of my stroke, I haven’t done much work with it in the last three years.
Comment by AnonW | March 16, 2013
I have never heard of neglect syndrome.
On the subject of your left arm, I’m sure you know the old joke: I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!
Sorry about the levity but I hope it made you smile.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013