Guest Post: Clerical Sex Abuse and Suicide: The Toxic Legacy -- Part 2: Suicide of Predators

Rev. Alfred Bietighofer killed
himself in 2002 during treatment
at the infamous St. Luke Institute
in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Sex Abuse Victims and Clerical Suicide —

A Study of the Toxic Legacy of Clerical Molestation  

By Randy Engel

Read the first part of this article here.

The Suicide of Clerical Sexual Predators

Following close on the heels of the suicide of victims of clerical sex abuse, is the tragedy of Catholic priests and religious (male and female) involved in homosexuality and pederasty who take their own lives. The rising tide of suicide among clerics, especially those involved in the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults has become a serious problem not only for the Catholic Church in America, but also abroad including Ireland, Australia. Belgium and Poland.  

Guest Post -- Clerical Sex Abuse and Suicide: The Toxic Legacy -- Part I: Suicide of Victims

14-year-old Brian Teeman, sex abuse
victim of Msgr. Thomas O'Brien
shot himself in November 1983. Will
the bishops at the summit address
the relationship between clergy abuse
and suicide during their summit?

The Catholic Inquisitor

February 2019 

Sex Abuse Victims and Clerical Suicide —

A Study of the Toxic Legacy of Clerical Molestation  

By Randy Engel

Introduction

On February 21-24, 2019, Pope Francis will convene an international  “summit” on clerical sexual abuse and the protection of minors (and vulnerable adults) in the Church in the New Synod Hall in Rome. The meeting will focus on three particular areas — responsibility, accountability and transparency. It will include plenary sessions, working groups, moments of common prayer and listening to testimonies, a penitential liturgy and a final Eucharistic celebration. The plenary sessions with be directed by the Italian Jesuit, Father Federico Lombardi, former Director of the Vatican Press Office from 2006 to 2010.