THEORIES OF SEXUAL OFFENDING
GENERAL THEORIESThis article represented an attempt to integrate awidely disparate literature concerning factors thatplay a role in the etiology of sexual offending andlead to its persistence . In order to achieve their goal,
the authors discuss biological influences, childhood
experiences, general cultural features, availability of
pornography, and transitory situational factors . In
conclusion, the authors stated that all of these factors must be taken into account when planning thetreatment of sex offenders .

LAWS, D .R ., & MARSHALL, WL . (1990) . A CONDITIONING THEORY OF THE ETIOLOGY AND MAINTENANCE OF DEVIANT SEXUAL PREFERENCE AND B EHAVIOR . I N W.

L. MARSHALL (EDS .), HANDBOOK OFSEXUAL ASSAULT: ISSUES, THEORIES, AND TREATMENT
OF THE OFFENDER, 13,

209-229 .

NEW

YORK :

PLENUM PRESS .

This article presented a theoretical model of sexually deviant interests that described how they may
be learned through the same mechanisms by whichconventional sexuality is learned . The model isdivided into two parts : acquisition processes andmaintenance processes . The authors noted that themodel adopts the position that maladaptive behavior can result from quantitative and qualitative
combinations of processes that are themselves
intrinsically orderly, strictly determined, and normal in origin. This conditioning and social learningmodel stated that deviant sexual preferences andcognitions are acquired through the same mechanisms by which other persons learn more conventionally accepted modes of sexual expression . The
model is presented as a set of 13 general principles
and 14 propositions that are derived from the 13
principles. There are six basic conditioning principles(Pavlovian
Conditioning,
Operant
Conditioning, Extinction, Punishment, Differential
Consequences, and the Chaining of Behavior) ; twosocial learning influences (General Social Learning
Influences and Self-Labeling Influences) ; and threemaintenance processes (Specific Autoerotic
Influences, Specific Social Learning Influences, andIntermittent Reinforcement) . In addition, theauthors discuss the treatment application of the theoretical model.

SCHWARTZ,

CHARACTERISTICS
IN

AND

B. SCHWARTZ(EDS .) . THE SEX OFFENDER : CORRECTIONS, TREATMENT AND LEGAL PRACTICE,

2. NEW JERSEY: CIVICRESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC .

Outlined theoretical explanations for sexuallydeviant behavior, including : psychoanalytic theory,
ego psychology theory, neurosis theory, Jungian
theory, relational theories, behavioral theories, cognitive-behavioral theories, addictions theory,
anthropological theories, family theories, societal
theories, political theory, the integrated theory ofchild abuse, and the integrated theory of deviancy.
Further, it reviewed causative factors and methodsof treatment .
WARD, T., & KEENAN, T . (1999) . CHILD MOLESTERS'IMPLICIT THEORIES . JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONALVIOLENCE, 14 (8), 821-838 .

The authors argued that child molesters' cognitive
distortions are generated by maladaptive implicit
theories concerning the nature of victims, theoffender, and the world . An examination of a number of scales used to measure distortions and several
articles describing offenders' cognitive distortions
resulted in the formulation of five implicit theories-Children as Sexual Objects ; Entitlement ;Dangerous World ; Uncontrollability; and Nature ofHarm-each capable of generating a number ofmaladaptive thoughts . Implicit theories were used
to explain, understand, and predict the behavior of
victims and aid in the planning and execution of

MARSHALL, W.L ., & BARBAREE, H.E . (1990). AN
INTEGRATED THEORY OF THE ETIOLOGY OF SEXUAL
OFFENDING . IN W. L. MARSHALL (EDS .), HANDBOOKOF SEXUAL ASSAULT: ISSUES, THEORIES, AND TREATMENT OF THE OFFENDER,

B.K. (1995) .

TYPOLOGIES OF SEX O FFENDERS .

15, 257-275 . NEW YORK :PLENUM PRESS .

221

sexual offenses . They typically were not consciously
articulated and facilitated the processing of offenserelated information . According to the authors, there
was ample evidence from developmental, social,cognitive, and personality psychology to support
the influential role of implicit theories in individuals' understanding of themselves and the socialworld . It is therefore reasonable to assume that themultitude of distorted beliefs and attitudes exhibited in child molesters are the product of a small
number of theories . The authors suggested that
effective treatment is likely to require the challenging and restructuring of these core theories . Finally,
the authors argued that it is possible to develop an
integrated account of child molesters' cognitive distortions by focusing on the role of implicit theories
in offense-related behavior. This perspective linked
research and theory in a number of diverse areas of
psychology and attempted to create a common
framework for understanding the relationshipbetween cognition and behavior.

abusive clerics . Hands argued that the experience ofshame interacts with unrealistic, moral expectations
that have been internalized . The result of thisprocess is a shame cycle, which stunts the individual's psychosexual development and contributes tosexual misconduct . The internalization of Church
doctrine concerning celibacy/chastity reinforces
many cognitive distortions, which allow the cycle ofabuse to persist . The Church's interpretation of sexual misconduct as a personal sin directly contrasts
with the view held by the criminal justice system .
The Church has also discouraged the formation ofclose friendships among the clergy for fear that it
might lead to homosexuality. With increased social
isolation comes increased alienation from the body .
Thus sexuality is repressed only to later emerge as
an obsession . According to Sullivan, "primary genital phobia" is a result of this repression . When theindividual experiences any sexual feelings,
thoughts, or emotions they are reflexively ignored .
The obsession occurs because these feelings arenever directly addressed or managed in a productive manner.

WARD, T., & HUDSON, S .M . (1998) . THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEORY IN THE SEXUAL
OFFENDING AREA : A META-THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .

JENKINS, P. (1996) .

SEXUALANATOMYABUSE :A JOURNALOFRESEARCH

t=Y

OF

A

PEDOPHILES AND PRIESTS :CONTEMPORARY

TREATMENT, 10, 1 .

BRIDGEWATER, NJ : REPLICA BOOKS.

The authors outlined a meta-theoretical framework, or a multi-theory approach to sexual abuse,that took into account a number of different levelsof theory, such as comprehensive, middle, andmicro-levels, and stresses the importance of distinguishing between different types of causal factors .
Further, the authors illustrated the utility of thedescribed meta-theory and demonstrated how different theories of sexual offending can be meaningfully integrated within this framework .

CHAPTER 1 : THE CONSTRUCTION OF
PROBLEMS AND PANICS

This chapter provided an overview of the format of
the book and the issue of child sexual abuse in the
Church . While it has been acknowledged that theabuse occurs, Jenkins contends that not much else is
known about this issue . The author summarized theconstruction of the problem as going through thefollowing stages : (1) many clergy are active in thesexual abuse of children ; (2) many Catholic priests
are active in sexual abuse ; and (3) the structure of
Catholicism makes priests more likely to abuse children . The Catholic Church is likely to be targeted
due to its size and centralized hierarchy. The
media's interpretation of cases of sexual abuse andlitigation make it impossible to compare the prevalence of abuse across denominations .

THEORIES OF OFFENDING BY CLERGYHANDS,

D .R .

(2002) . BEYOND THE CLOISTER-SHAMED SEXUALITY IN THE FORMATION OF THE SEXOFFENDING

CLERGY. IN

B .K . SCHWARTZ &CRISIS .

H .R .

CELLINI (EDS .), THE SEX OFFENDER (Pp. 29-1-29-8) .
KINGSTON, NJ : CIVIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE .

CHAPTER 2 : THE ANTI-CATHOLIC TRADITION

This chapter presented a brief overview of the influence that Church doctrine has had on sexually

In this chapter, Jenkins provided a historical
overview of anti-clericalism and anti-Catholicism .
While it is believed that anti-Catholicism ceased222during the 1930s to 1980s, Jenkins argued that the
emergence of books such as Lead Us Not into
Temptation and A Gospel of Shame facilitated theseideas . Anti-Catholicism has also been integrated
into culture through development of Catholicstereotypes and humor. It is argued that the idea ofthe predatory priest has always existed in a subcultural setting only to emerge into mainstream culture
when the time was right .

to emerge and each had their own agenda . Since
these cases were widely publicized, public awarenessof the issue of child sexual abuse also increased .
Jenkins posits that these reports facilitated the investigation and prosecution of new cases as well as thecreation of the image of the pedophile priest .
CHAPTER 5 : PEDOPHILIA AND CHILD ABUSE

This chapter sought to evaluate three specific areasof child sexual abuse by clergy : defining the abusein question, assessing the number of perpetrators,
and establishing a historical context in which theallegations were made . In defining the problem,
Jenkins drew attention to the differences between
pedophilia and ephebophilia . While there werecases that involve extensive abuse, not all of themwere severe . The media's reliance upon the image ofthe pedophile priest thus distorted the true natureof the problem. In citing a study conducted by the
Chicago Diocese, Jenkins ascertained that theprevalence rate amongst priests is less than two percent . In establishing an historical context, theauthor illustrated how social feelings concerning
sex offenders have cycled through the years . During
the 1980's the effects of abuse on the victims began
to receive attention that raised public awarenessconcerning sex offenders . The McMartin abusescandal influenced ideas about clergy abuse by illustrating that sexual abuse could occur anywhere,leading to heightened suspicion . A discussion concerning the treatment of clergy offenders is
included . Due to the dwindling number of priests inthe seminary, the Church was willing to shift attention away from punitive measures to treatment
needs in order to preserve its numbers . Treatment
programs were created in the belief that theoffender could be cured and reinstated into the ministry. While experts in the field attacked this pointof view, it was still followed by the Church .

CHAPTER 3 : THE DISCOVERY OF CLERGY SEX ABUSE

Jenkins claimed that during the 1980's, allegationsof sexual abuse committed by priests became prevalent . Two views about this phenomenon exist . One
argument theorized that the abuse has been aroundfor years but that it has only emerged during thelast decade . Accepting this argument would meanthat the crisis began in the 1960's, perhaps as aresult of relaxed sexual discipline . The second argument posited that the abuse is a result of the liberal
reforms of Vatican-II . Jenkins provided an
overview of the publicized cases and included atimeline of major events . He hypothesized that the
major scandal in the Louisiana diocese created a"snowball effect" in which the media increased theircoverage of the issue and became more aggressive inpursuing such stories . This placed pressure upon the
Church, which had to react quickly by implementing
new policies in order to handle the problem . As aresult of the media portraying the abuse as "aCatholic problem," they have neglected to evaluate
the prevalence of abuse . in other denominations .
CHAPTER 4 : THE MEDIA AND THE CRISISThis chapter discussed the media coverage of sexual
abuse in the Catholic Church in both national andlocal publications . These publications portrayed the
problem as being a crisis and scandal, requiring
swift intervention . The news media also utilized
images unique to the Catholic Church, which further characterized the crisis as being solely aCatholic phenomenon . Jenkins drew a contrast
between these images and . the more wholesome portrayal of the Catholic Church in films madebetween 1938 and 1944 . Changing media values
are one possible reason for this occurrence as theemphasis shifted towards tabloid reporting and sensationalism . In constructing the abuse "crisis," themedia turned to Jason Berry and Andrew Greeley as
experts . Soon, other authorities on the topic began

CHAPTER 6 : CONFLICT IN THE CHURCHES

In evaluating the cases of sexual abuse in the
Church, various themes began to emerge . Jenkins
asserted that "the authoritarian nature of the
Church and its hierarchy, the special privileges
accorded to priests, the apparent neglect of theinterests of women and children, and an ambiguousand hypocritical attitude towards sexuality" arenotions that have existed for years . This battle
between liberals and conservatives in the Church

22 3was sparked by the reforms of Vatican-II and adwindling priesthood . Church doctrine concerning
sexuality came under fire from Catholic traditionalists who felt that the reforms of Vatican-II were too
liberal and facilitated an environment in which
abuse was allowed to exist . The liberals were concerned about reforms to the patriarchal Church
hierarchy, which displayed little consideration forthe laity. The clergy abuse scandal provided a platform for reformists to point out the apparent hypocritical nature of various Church doctrines .

CHAPTER 9 : DEFENDING THERAPY

Jenkins posits that mental health professionals also
have an interest in clergy litigation, as they would
be called for treatment and their expert opinion . As
the definition of child abuse changed in the 1970's,
children were viewed as honest witnesses . This was
impacted by a variety of research that evaluated thechild's capability as a witness and the validity ofmemories . During the 1980's, allegations of ritual
sexual abuse swept the nation and created a modern day witch-hunt . This chapter included a brief
overview of the recovered memory phenomenon,
media attention allotted the topic, and its impact onallegations of sexual abuse . Clergy abuse served toreinforce therapeutic assumptions whereas the ideas
concerning ritual abuse reinforce the idea of thepedophile priest . As the validity of recovered memories and ritual abuse allegations were exposed, abacklash occurred where the topic lost any momentum it may have had .

CHAPTER 7 : "SINS OF THE FATHERS" ;THE FEMINIST RESPONSE

This chapter discussed the role of the feminist movement in the exposure of sexual abuse in the general
population and clergy. Church doctrine concerning
abortion and birth control came under criticism as aresult of the movement . Feminists argued that sexual
violence is a result of patriarchal culture, which is
influenced by social institutions such as the Catholic
Church. When the allegations of abuse began toemerge, feminists integrated them as evidence in favorof their argument . The definition of clergy sexual
abuse was broadened to incorporate heterosexual
relations between the priest and adult women .
Jenkins argued that feminist rhetoric benefited from asocial environment already ripe with discontent andan ever-changing legal interpretation of the problem .

JENKINS, P.

(1998) . CREATING A CULTURE OF CLERGY

D EVIANCE . IN A. SHUPE (ED .) WOLVES WITHIN THE
FOLD : RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP AND ABUSES OF POWER(pp. 118-132) .

NEW

BRUNSWICK,NJ:

RUTGERS

UNIVERSITY PRESS .

Clergy deviance is explained through the impact themedia has had in publicizing "scandals" and thereactions of Catholics to this news . Jenkins asserted
that there were no scandals prior to the 1970's . This
meant that the Church was protected from media
scrutiny and that the pattern of multiple offenses
committed by "pedophile priests" could not be followed . The media blackout promoted an environment in which those few priests who were inclined
to engage in malfeasance experienced a sense of
invulnerability because there was no possibility of
incurring sanctions . The internal structure df the
Church and the shortage of priests caused many
Bishops to ignore discrepancies in order to preserve
the clergy. Jenkins provided an overview of therelationship between the Catholic Church andmedia dating back to the 1920's . In the media's zeal
to expose scandals in the Catholic Church, theChurch utilized its power to boycott such publications . This ploy proved effective in controlling
potential scandals . During the 1970's, films andnovels depicted the secret sexual lives of priests,
which is in stark contrast to the wholesome films of
the 1950's . Jenkins posits that the Watergate scandal

CHAPTER 8 : THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT

During the 1980's the civil system saw the growth oftorts concerning child sexual abuse . This was due tothe claims of child maltreatment in nursery schools
across the nation as well as new research concerning
the credibility of child witnesses and recovered memories . This was also the first time that mandatory
child abuse reporting statutes were passed throughout the nation. The Church is a billion-dollar industry, which makes it an appealing target for civil litigants . Litigation was pursued even when theevidence was not very strong and based upon retrospective data . Due to the statute of limitations, criminal prosecution was not an option for many victims .
When the Church tried to defend itself against theseexcessive civil suits, various organizations claimed
that hypocrisy and selfishness were inherent in the
Church hierarchy . Jenkins argued that juries are
more likely to be sympathetic towards victims,
thereby creating an environment in which clergy
litigation is an appealing choice .
224

played a role in encouraging expose journalism . This
coupled with changing demographics and a split in
the Church concerning the revisions of Vatican II, allplayed a role in creating an environment in which
sexual abuse scandals were exposed by the media .
According to Jenkins, "Media attitudes therefore
helped create an absolute criminogenic social environment," and the extent to which this environmenthas been exploited remains unclear .

institutions . The reason why sexual abuse in the
Church is a major issue is because the offenders areordained priests who took a vow of celibacy .
LOFFUS, J .A . (1999) . SEXUALITY IN PRIESTHOOD : NoLIME TANGERE. IN T.G . PLANTE (ED .) BLESS ME FATHERFOR I HAVE SINNED : PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL ABUSE
COMMITTED BY ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS (pp. 7-19) .
WESTPORT, CT: PRAEGER PUBLISHERS .

KREBS, T. (1998) . CHURCH STRUCTURES THAT FACILITATE PEDOPHILIA AMONG ROMAN CATHOLIC CLERGY.
I N A . SHUPE (ED .) WOLVES WITHIN THE FOLD:RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP AND ABUSES OF POWER(pp. 67-84) . NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ : RUTGERSUNIVERSITY PRESS.

Loftus provided an historical overview of sexuality inthe priesthood . He explained that a focus of priestly
teachings concerning celibacy is characterized by thephrase "if no one touches me, I will not experiencesexual desire, or at least not sexual temptation ." Thework of Sipe is discussed in examining the issue ofcelibacy. The author contends that there is no simple
way to define celibacy and that it is a complex anddynamic issue . There is also a public relations issue
related to the fact that many parishioners believe that
priests are indeed celibate and always have been . The
work of Loftus & Camargo (1993) is discussed andthe author posits that the question should not be
what an acceptable definition of celibacy is, butrather how sexuality is experienced within this population . Research is hindered because there is noaccess to data concerning sexuality in the "normal"
priest population .

Krebs argued that the structure of the Church and its
hierarchy facilitate sexual abuse . Anonymity was
granted to pedophiliac priests due to the Church's
international nature, organizational hierarchy, andinternal polity. The organizational hierarchy was discussed in relation to the work of Andrew Shupe, who
observed five unique characteristics . Institutionalreligion is based on what Shupe called "hierarchies ofunequal power," which span different dimensions
including the spiritual and organizational . Those inelite positions have moral authority, which allows
them to control privileges as well as shun and excommunicate . Third, the Catholic Church is what Shupe
referred to as a "trusted hierarchy," which influenced
parental socialization of children to believe and trustin Church officials . Clergy malfeasance occurs intrusted hierarchies . Fourth, the structure of the
Church provided "opportunity structure" and "protected places" that allow for deviancy . The Church
also engaged in neutralization to protect theseoffending priests . In turn, this gives the pedophileapproval from superiors to continue offending .
Shupe contends that by taking any neutralizing
action, the problem can occur once more . These
priests can be reassigned to new parishes and diocese
where only a few members of the hierarchy may
know their history . Krebs also argued that newly
implemented structures continued to facilitatepedophilia in the Church . One such structure is thestudy group comprised of the entire Church community, which seeks to find a solution to this problem .
Krebs asserted that the focus of these groups has
been to ascertain that while sexual abuse occurs in
the Catholic Church, it is more prevalent in other

LoTHSTEIN, L . (1999) . NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN CLERGY WHO SEXUALLY ABUSE. I N T.G. PLANFE(ED .) BLESS ME FATHER FOR I HAVE SINNED :PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL ABUSE COMMITTED BY
ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS (pp. 59-85) . WESTPORT,
CT: PRAEGER PUBLISHERS .
This chapter presented a review of the literature concerning neuropsychology and sexual offending .
Studies have shown that there appear to be abnormalities located in the fronto-temporal region of thebrain of sex offenders . However, these studies sufferfrom methodological flaws and the results are typically confounded by substance abuse . The Institutefor Living clergy study is discussed, in which 400
clerics have been evaluated for paraphiliac and nonparaphiliac sexual behavior . The findings supported
the theory that sex offenders, from the general andcleric population, appear to have an abnormality inthe fronto-temporal region of their brains . While theabnormalities are similar there are differences
between the cleric and non-cleric offenders . The
225

author warned against inferring a causal link
between brain dysfunction and paraphiliac behavior .
It was recommended when assessing clerics thatthose who have a history of hard neurological signs(massive head trauma, seizures, history of unconsciousness, etc .) should be considered as being at ahigh risk for sexual disinhibition . Those who have ahistory of soft neurological signs (impulsivity, anxiety, etc.) must also be thoroughly evaluated .
PALLONE,

NJ .

(2002) .

SIN,CRIME,

The author presented a response to the theories proposed by the Winter Commission in Newfoundland .
In posing this argument, it was urged that the
Church look even deeper into the institutional andstructural roots of sexual abuse within institutions .
According to ethnographic data, sexual abuse is notendemic or universal . Scheper-Hughes argued that"social isolation, arbitrary parental authority overchildren, patriarchal values, single-parent households, and negative images of the social worth ofchildren all promote and exacerbate child sexual
abuse." A brief discussion concerning clergy abuse in
Ireland is included . The author cited the work of
Kennedy (1972) who found that 8% of priests weremaldeveloped, 57% were underdeveloped, 29%
were developing, and only 6% were developed . In a
personal interview with the author he ascertainedthat "The vows of poverty and obedience infantalize
the adult male, making him dependant on a series offather figures at a time when they should be in control of their own lives and responsible for the lives ofchildren and young people . The vow of celibacy
takes from the adult a main vehicle for the expressionof intimate social relations . The end result is chronic
infantilization ." However, the Winter Commission
was silent on the topic of celibacy . The author draws
parallels between corporal punishment, with its
erotic undertones, to that of clergy abuse . Corporalpunishment was said to have created a sexualized
environment, which may have provided theantecedent conditions for sexual offending .

ARROGANCE,BETRAYAL: A PSYCHODYNAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE CRISIS IN AMERICAN CATHOLICISM . BRIEF TREATMENT

AND CRISIS INTERVENTION, 2 (4), 341-372 .

In this article Pallone states that the crisis of sexual
misconduct in the Roman Catholic Church is in facthomosexual statutory rape . Along this line, Pallone
also states that a majority of the victims were not of"pre-pubescent age" as specified in the DSM IV;
therefore the offenders cannot be consideredpedophiles . It is a new disorder, considered ephebophilia, and he presents an in-depth explanation of thedisorder based on "Fenichel's (1945) speculations
about the genesis of psychosexual pathology among(sexually inexperienced but palpably) narcissistic adultmales and incorporating the contribution of Catholic
doctrine on the Virgin birth" (p . 366) . The disorder is
not yet recognized by the DSM IV; however, there is adanger in creating a new category of mental disorderwhose behavior has been deemed criminal .
The offenders consist of a relatively small number ofpriests . Few clerics were being prosecuted, and only
seemed to face arrest and prosecution after the press
had learned of the civil liability payments made to
the victims . In most situations, responsibility is not
admitted by the diocese, while the victims are paid tokeep silent . The press focuses only on current cases
while those that occurred more than a month ago isconsidered ancient history . Pallone points out that
this is not an isolated American phenomenon, but isalso occurring in countries such as Ireland, Canada,
Australia, England, Poland, and Africa .

SIPE, A.WR. (1995) .

ANATOMY OF A CRISIS, 1, 3-23, NEW YORK,NY:BRUNNER/MAZEL, INC .

Sipe extrapolated upon the findings of his 1990
book, A Secret World : Sexuality and the Search for

Celibacy . In studying the celibacy patterns of
Catholic priests, the author postulated that 20%
have engaged in heterosexual relationships andbehaviors, 10% have engaged in homosexual behavior, 4% have had adolescent partners and 2% arepedophiles . Sipe asserted that child molestation is a
result of the flawed celibate/sexual system of the
Church . Since the Church has not developed a clear
understanding of human sexuality in general, they
were unable to formulate a response to this issue .
This is coupled with the fact that the teachings of the
Church were not always followed by those in power.

SCHEPER-HUGHES, N . (1998) . INSTITUTIONALIZED SEX
ABUSE AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH . IN N . SCHEPERHUGHES & C . SARGENT (EDS .) SMALL WARS : THE CUL-TURAL POLITICS OF CHILDHOOD (PP .

SEX, PRIESTS, AND POWER :295-317) .

BERKELEY, CA: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS .

226

After having reviewed the histories of 473 abusive
priests, it was found that 70-80% of priests were sexually abused as children and 10% were approached
by a priest while studying in the seminary. The
author has developed four specific categories to
explain sexual abuse in the clergy. Those in Sipes'
Genetic Lock find that their sexual attraction isinherently determined . The Psychodynamic Lockconsists of priests who, as a result of their childhood
experiences, have been locked into one level of psychosexual development, rendering them prone tooffending behavior. Sipe hypothesized that a combination of genetic and psychodynamic factors interacts with cognitive factors . All of these variables
combine in such a manner as to influence the priest
to sexually abuse a child. In the Social/Situational
Lock, the priest is otherwise healthy but the experience of celibacy suspends their psychosexual development . Similar to the theory of primary genital phobia,
sex is externally denied but internally explored. Sipe
concluded that the offending behavior is of a developmental nature, which could be resolved, once theoffender matured . The Moral Lock provided no clear
explanation for the offending behavior . According toSipe, these individuals are cold and calculating andmake a conscience choice to sexually abuse children
just because they desire the experience .
SIPE, A .WR. (1995) .

be resolved through confession and penance . During
the course of treatment, the Church should monitor
the offender for a period of about five years .
SIPE,
.
.R
.W
A (1998) . CLERGY ABUSE IN IRELAND . IN A.
SHUPE (ED .) WOLVES WITHIN THE FOLD : RELIGIOUS
LEADERSHIP AND ABUSES OF POWER (PP. 133-151) .
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ : RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PRESS .

This chapter provided an overview of clergy abuse in
Ireland. What made the abuse in Ireland so unique isthe integration of Church and State, which has
existed since the country's emancipation from the
UK . Through the years, various reforms haveoccurred including the legalization of divorce and the
Abortion Information Bill, which allowed certain
medical centers to provide information pertaining tothe operation . These reforms did not occur until the
mid-1990s . In 1996, the Irish hierarchy pledged fullcooperation with the authorities in addressing theissue of cleric abuse . Sipe contends that all of theaccounts of sexual abuse in Ireland have in fact been
well known and recorded accurately albeit censored .
This abuse has been known as a characteristic of the
Church in Ireland for years . The relation between the
Irish Church and that of the American Church illustrated an interesting connection in supporting Sipe's
thesis . Seventeen percent of the US population during
the period of 1960-1970 was Irish American .
However, 54% of priests were Irish Americans or
Irish and 85% of archbishops and 75% of Bishops
were Irish American . This connection has led Sipe toraise the following questions : (1) Is there a correlation between ethnic origin and clergy abuse ; (2)What is the rate of sexual abuse/activity by priests in
Ireland versus the US ; (3) How many sexually abusive priests in the US, England, and elsewhere wereborn or educated in Ireland; (4) Is the proportion of
known sexually abusive Irish-born or Irish educatedpriests greater or less than their representation in theindigenous clergy pool? Sipe contends that clericabuse revealed a structure of systematic abuse of children handed down through the ages and shaped bypriests and nuns . This structure developed during
the Potato Famine, which produced the severesocial and economic ramifications : survivor guilt
and the experience of fear, bankruptcy of various
institutions other than the Catholic Church, consolidation of Church power, and the effect of emigration on the population .

SEX, PRIESTS, AND POWER :ANATOMY OF A CRISIS, 2,

24-43, NEW YORK, NY:

BRUNNER/MAZEL, INC .
This chapter evaluated Sipe's estimation that 6% ofpriests have sexually abused minors . It is argued thatthe evidence presented by the victim's rights movement have supported this estimate . Survivors do not
pursue lawsuits solely to gain monetary restitution .
Their motivation is to gain the assurance that noother children will be victimized . Thus, there is a
conflict with the responsibilities allotted to the
Bishops, who seek to protect the Church's holdings
and power. Among the factors that must be examined when evaluating clergy offenders are the age andgender of the child, whether the incident is isolated
or of a serial nature, whether the offender is fixated
or regressed, whether the behavior is compulsive or
addictive, and determining what exactly the abuseentailed . A discussion of treatment elaborated upon
the idea that one of the difficulties in treating theseoffenders is that the abuse is viewed as a sin that may

227