translated from Spanish: Errázuriz – El Mostrador errors

Sir:
The former Archbishop of Santiago Francisco Javier Errázuriz was questioned for concealment of sexual offences within the Catholic Church and, beyond the denial of answering questions, there are statements that deeply caught my attention. We have history of the references made by the cardinal about the alleged homosexual behavior of priests involved in sexual offences. To be consulted on the subject, responds with the phrase: “it is better that there are no homosexual priests. A person who completely dominate his homosexuality, isn’t excluded but most want to have the certainty of being and make acts of homosexuality”. In these lines, there is an implicit moral punishment toward the homosexual orientation, hinting at difficulties in the control and domination of certain impulses; a comment frankly homophobic. It seems to me to be serious, to the extent that it suggests a causal relationship between homosexuality and sexual abuse. For this reason, I want to cite one study published in Germany in 2017, which discusses the characterization of the sexual orientation of the abusers in the Catholic Church and other institutions. A total 89 analyzed abusers, the 53.9% reported heterosexual, 34.9% homosexual and 6.7% bisexual. Emphasizes that under any view there is a cause-effect relationship between homosexuality and sexual abuse.
A situation of real significance is that the abuses occur in relations of power and abuse of conscience, where are normalized certain sexual practices, considering that the priests play a role parental and spiritual leadership, especially in people in development, those who are experiencing crises of various types or those with several psychological vulnerabilities. Those who commit these crimes occupy a space of intimacy at the victims, making poor use of this position. Then, the dynamics of dominance are due rather to factors psychopathic Narcissists, not to sexual orientation itself. How dangerous is that abusers clerics are not distinguishable from those not abusers in the usual psychological evaluations, making it more comprehensive filters are required.
For victims hit is twofold, in addition to the transgression and invasion of the body, is raped your spiritual trust and their religious worldview, since the priest is seen as an alter Christus, a representative of God on Earth. In this sense, against trauma of such magnitude, it is completely understandable that it remained silent, and that many times it is only declared several years later. Shame is a feeling that occupies much of the abused person’s experience, as well as the fear that disclosure not is welcomed, and, moreover, denied. This experience not to inhabit the role of victim and that this is not recognized by the environment, is quite distressing. The religious community can react with such a denial which is put in doubt the word of the victim, as it is thought impossible that such situations occur in his religious circle. On the other hand, there is the fear to cause pain in the family to unravel the experience, further fueling the secret. When Errázuriz confesses that it had difficulties in believing the prosecution of James Hamilton, is clearly due to the zero understanding of the dynamics of sexual abuse / awareness and the emotional devastation this causes, as well as being faithful reflection of the bad ecclesiastical practice against such sensitive topics.
The leaders of this institution have taken attitudes that deny, minimize and mitigate the responsibilities of their clergymen. Taking isolated measures related to repentance, spiritual correction or moral treatment, maintaining the obscurantist approach to these crimes. Within the institutional culture, the Catholic Church sees itself as infallible and exempt from errors, so outsource their responsibilities. Moreover, they use the secret and the power to protect their image (and those who serve him) of the laws that govern our society, not taking charge properly the problem.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the following: sexual abuse in religious context are absolutely devastating experiences that leave serious spiritual and psychological traces. Common are post-traumatic stress and mood pictures, and existential crises. As a society, we can not start putting in doubt the word of the victim, because we would be complicit in the re-traumatisation. On the other hand, seems opportunistic and little judicious to wield a causal relationship between homosexuality and sexual abuse, because they are completely different concepts and assertions of this kind violate the dignity of many people, exposing them to be victims of behaviors of hatred. Positions of this type are unacceptable, so the religious institution should take an attitude of responsibility, transparency and humility, which is the minimum required.
Dr. Thomas Seron Diaz
Psychiatry adults
University of Chile
COSAM Santiago – COSAM Lo Prado

Original source in Spanish