For Immediate Release April 22, 2002 AVP SLAMS PRIEST FOR SCAPEGOATING GAYS IN PEDOPHILE FLAP
New York -Representatives from the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) today derided a Sunday sermon by Msgr. Eugene Clark that blamed gays for the pedophile scandals brought to light in Boston and other diocese. In a 15-minute homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Msgr. Clark called homosexuality a disorder and claimed that it was a grave mistake to allow gays into the priesthood.
"It is fascinating that in what may be the American Catholic Church's darkest hour in recent memory, Msgr. Clark has chosen to so cavalierly scapegoat gays," said Clarence Patton, AVP's Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy. "It is unclear whether or not Msgr. Clark said this out of ignorance or malevolence, or both, but what is clear is that he is playing a dangerous game of deflecting attention and culpability from the priests who have been abusing children for decades and Cardinal Law, Cardinal Egan and all the rest of the cardinals who've been covering their tracks for them for just as long," continued Patton. "The fact is, there are two kinds of pedophiles, ones that like little girls, and ones that like little boys. There is one kind of gay man, one that likes other gay men - the two have nothing to do with each other. Clark needs to get that straight," concluded Patton.
In his homily, Msgr. Clark also called America "the most immoral country certainly in the Western hemisphere and perhaps in the world because of the entertainment we suffer." "One has to ask, who's immoral here?," said Richard Haymes, AVP's executive director. "Someone who participates in the entertainment industry? A consenting adult expressing love for another consenting adult? Or, someone who uses the power vested in them by the Holy Roman Church to abuse those most vulnerable amongst us? Or better, someone who deliberately abdicates their responsibility to the safety of their flock by knowingly endangering the children of town, after town, after town by placing priests they know are active pedophiles in parish after parish after parish?" questioned Haymes. "I think the smart money in Hell is on the last two guys. The Church ostensibly teaches us responsibility, and stirring up anti-gay sentiment to deflect the culpability of church leaders is what is truly immoral and irresponsible," concluded Haymes.
The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is the nation's largest crime-victim service agency for the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected communities. For twenty years, AVP has provided counseling and advocacy for thousands of victims of bias-motivated violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, HIV-related violence, and police misconduct. AVP educates the public about violence against or within our communities and works to reform public policies impacting all lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected people.
AVP provides free and confidential assistance to crime victims through our 24-hour bilingual hotline (212-714-1141).
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