God's Law vs. Human Law or Sexual Abuse in the Church

I rarely mention the sexual abuse controversies which have arisen in the Catholic Church over the past couple of decades. Generally, I find that the topic only angers people, for a number of perfectly understandable reasons. It is about almost unforgivable acts, the abuse of power by persons of trust toward children. Also, the apparent response of the church hierarchy to allegations of such abuse seems incredibly, and perhaps indefensibly, uncharitable toward the victims.

However, those in any church can learn a great deal from considering this ongoing story. There are lessons about church culture and the desire to protect those within from those outside the church. There are issues about balancing remorse and forgiveness against justice and ministry to victims.

There was a fine essay recently in The New York Times that addressed some of this is an informative and even-handed way, which you might wish to read.