Catholic Sex Abuse Case - Research Paper Example

? Catholic sex Abuse Case Catholic sex Abuse Case The following paper takes in to consideration the case of Baker who sexually abused boys while in his priesthood. The news reveals that he had to pay heavy compensation and accepted to his crimes. The following paper is built upon newspaper articles, journal articles, authentic websites, and books. The paper also brings the effort of media in lime by stating the endeavor of the media in bring the case to a platform where public will be familiar with the events that took place in the church; and also brought the case to officials so that there will be some laws to protect the religion abiding citizens. However, it is essential to highlight here that the paper also dissects the case as well as theoretically analyzes it. Introduction Sexual abuse has existed since time immemorial. What is intriguing about the molesters is that they have crept in to church molesting innumerable people. The media reveals that while selecting a new pope, Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached a $10 million defrayal after four men accused the former priest of sexually abusing them. It was also highlighted that the former priest was also criminally convicted in another case (Medina, 2013). It is essential to highlight here that Michael Baker was accused of molestation of minimum 23 boys over a period of 30 years. Moreover, in 2007 he was convicted for sexually abusing two boys. Certain internal documents revealed that Cardinal Mahony and some of his assistants helped the accused priests by protecting them against law enforcement. Priests accused of such a hideous act were sent to treatment centers and were later allowed to take by ministry (Medina, 2013). After the release of the internal document additional proofs surfaced that unveiled that the Archdiocese in 1987, signed a plan proposed by one of his most earnest of advisors that emphasized on sending Baker to a psychiatrist to which he agreed. Many officials such as Mr. Fanaldi expressed that such a minor action was taken so that they would know that Baker was in safe hands. He also highlighted that Mahony was apparently aware of the Mr. Baker’ crime than he seemed to acknowledge it. Nevertheless, the lawyer of church, Mr. Hennigan accepted that Mr. Baker was perhaps one of the most serious offenders and that the church should not have given him the ministry back he was accused of such heinous crimes (Medina, 2013). Theoretical Analysis of the Case The case has been presented in the paper time again until the people were thoroughly aware of the case and the justice was done with the molested victims. Basing on the manner of mentioning the case in the article, it is not incorrect in saying that the writer uses a liberation theory through the coverage of the case. However, before the case theoretically explained it is imperative to under the theory journalism. In accord with libertarian theory, the articles usually reflect the truth bearing in mind that individuals are very well aware of it. Hence, the theory implies that individuals are rational beings and it is not easy to cover a crime from them (Biagi, 2010). If the example of the mentioned case is taken, the New York Times presents the article in a libertarian manner to its readers. Like in the article, the writer quotes the lawyer of the church who accepts the crime and quotes the plaintiff Mr. Fanaldi. Both people quoted in the article were very direct and suggestive of the fact that the church’s ministry was involved in the case to the extent where they were able to influence the charges against the accused priest. Moreover, it can also be said that the writer felt that it is the social responsibility to provide the people with a true picture of the case. Perhaps because it will make them aware of the fact that such pedophiles are not only limited to the streets but are present everywhere (Biagi, 2010). Media Involvement in the Case The media generally plays a vital role in the coverage of events whether horrific or pleasant. Similarly, media has played an immense role in the Catholic Sex Abuse case. The media has unveiled not only the existing case in history but has also shed light upon the conspiracy behind such cases. It has also unleashed the law enforcement agencies to look in to the matter and dig further deep in it that has resulted in bringing out more than 500 victims who were sexually abuse by the priest, Baker (The Media Report, 2013). Media has done so by stating facts about the case and raising questions that they stumbled over while covering the case of catholic sex abuse by using various angles to present the case in order for the audience to be aware of the crime. The involvement of media in the case has been to the extent where they covered not only the trial but also the protests that took place in the wake of the crime. However, what media has held back in is to show that the abuse is not only limited to the church but it is also existent in the schools; where teachers sexually abuse children. Nevertheless, the media has shaped the image of the church in the eyes of public in a way that they now will think twice while leaving their children alone with a priest. What may be questionable here is that why did’nt media bring in the lime light other places where children are sexually abused and the cases are still to be dealt with? Moreover, half the accusation records that were made public were of those priests who have ceased to exist today. What remains a question is that why would media unveil something that cannot be dealt with? (The Media Report, 2013) Media’s effect on the Case Outcome Although, media continuous mention of the sex abuse in a catholic church has made the public aware of the hideous crime it has also traumatized the public in believing that they are not safe in church either. The statistics suggest that the number of attendance has declined in the church after the case was unfolded. However, there were positive effects of media as well. In the wake of digging in to the case the articles have revealed that and questioned many aspects of everyday life; which has risen the people to run public awareness about sex abuse. The first public awareness was of Irish Child abuse covered by BBC particularly in relation to child abuse (Kenny, 2013). Nevertheless, in the continuous mention of protests and the trial has led the officials to extract the sensitive information from the internal documents that were kept in the church as record keeping sake to a conspiracy that is behind backing the accuse priest. The 1987, documents reveal that the archdiocese was involved in influencing the case by protecting Baker from the law enforcement. He did so by sending him to the rehabilitation center rather sending him the law as a criminal. Moreover, what is more inappropriate was that after his return from the center he was given back the ministry. Mentioning of such events in the past by the News Papers has led the government as well as the new pope to take strict action against such occurrences. Many articles later on covered not only covered the alliance of the new pope in fact it also covered his promises that he made to the public in regard to the mishap that has taken place in the past. Moreover, the media gave the liberty to the victims to come up front and reveal the facts so the government could take strict action and the culprits are trialed for their crimes. After reading the articles as many as 500 victims reported priests of such a heinous crime. The media reports on the topic not only shook America, but the entire world by continuously mentioning about the horrific in the church mentioned by media. Furthermore, the media also covered the trial along with the judgment given to the criminals perhaps in order to depict that such crimes are called to justice (Kenny, 2013). Many critics believe that media has been hypocrite towards the church for the reasons that it has continuously mentioned the crime in the newspapers; which has de-shaped the image of the church and the priests to the extent that all the priests are now portrayed as convicted for the similar trial. Moreover, something that media did not cover was the fact that bishops were personally held responsible for the crime that they did not do. This implies that all the media did thoroughly dig in to the case and briefed the public about the crimes it failed to debrief the public that has led to chaos and misunderstandings. Leaving the public reluctant in attending church, for fear of being under a minister who is a criminal (Mirus, 2013). Thus, it is essential to mention here that the media has played a positive role in opening the eyes of the public and the authorities, but has failed to debrief its audience. It has failed to tell the public that every priest is not a criminal and therefore, must not be treated as such. Reference List Biagi, S. (2010). Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media. New York : Cengage Learning. Kenny, C. (2013). Significant Television: Journalism, SexAbuse and the Catholic Church in Ireland. Retrieved April 16, 2013, from http://dit.ie/icr/media/: http://dit.ie/icr/media/diticr/documents/5%20Kenny%20ICR%2011.pdf Medina, J. (2013, March 13). Los Angeles Archdiocese to Pay $10 Million in Abuse Case. Retrieved April 16, 2013, from nytimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/us/los-angeles-archdiocese-to-pay-10-million-in-abuse-case.html?ref=romancatholicchurchsexabusecases Mirus, J. (2013). Three Great Lessons of the Abuse Scandal. Retrieved April 17, 2013, from catholic: http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/three-great-lessons-of-the-abuse-scandal The Media Report. (2013). Fast Facts. Retrieved April 16, 2013, from themediareport: http://www.themediareport.com/fast-facts/ Read More