There are almost three-quarters of a million registered sex offenders in the United States (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children). By definition, registered offenders are in the criminal justice system; most are under some form of supervision. Most of them are living and working in communities around the country, and the recidivism rate among them is very low. The priests we are discussing are NOT in the system, and thus no-one -- not the church, not the state -- has any authority to compel them to submit to supervision.  The church can and should invite them to accept supervision (the stick, if you will) by offering them the carrot of community, fellowship and security. Those who can work should do so (not in ministry!!) in order to contribute to society. Those who need to be confined should be confined. If an offender is unwilling or unable to comply, he should be laicized and law enforcement should be alerted. Laicization and separation constitute the last resort.