Without doubt it is the worst wave of moral scandals ever to beset Roman Catholicism in North America. Dozens upon dozens of priests have been accused of sexually abusing underage boys. Cases have erupted in most U.S. states and two Canadian provinces since the 1985 conviction of Louisiana's Father Gilbert Gauthe, who had molested 35 youths. So widespread are the cases that by one informed estimate, Catholic institutions have paid $300 million in settlements -- with no end in sight. "We could be sued out of existence," says Notre Dame philosophy professor Ralph McInerny.
Worse than the loss of money are...
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