More on Donohue

In case you were wondering just what kind of scum Bill Donohue of the Catholic League (it even sounds medieval) is, here's a little piece he wrote defending child-molesting priests.

The overwhelming majority of those abused are postpubescent males—they are not children. Breaking the seal of the confessional could not have saved any of them; nor will it protect anyone in the future. Let’s remember a few basic facts.

There's a little thing called "age of consent laws" that applies here. In all cases, the victims were legal minors. Donohue is at pains not to point that out. Nor does he touch on the Church's reaction to reports of abuse over several decades, but offers this possibility:

The seal of the confessional does not apply to the penitent. If someone confesses knowledge of abuse to a priest, there is nothing to stop him from contacting the authorities. Nor is there something that would prevent the priest from asking such a penitent to discuss this further in his office, thereby freeing the priest from his confessional vows. The priest could also withhold absolution until such time as the authorities were notified. In short, there are ways a priest can fulfill his duties without sacrificing anyone.

And just how many times did this happen? Among those not threatened with excommunication if they talked, I mean.

In other words, let the Church police itself. It's done such a good job so far.

More on Donohue, along with some insights on Mel Gibson, at Orcinus. Scarily illuminating.