I'm also from MO. 7 years ago, when it became clear to me that God wanted me to be Catholic, my 1st response to Him was : "But what about all 'dem PEDOPHILES?" And then I saw for myself the actual dynamic in many different parishes and how that dynamic contrasted quite dramatically from the exaggerated hyperbole presented in the com boxes here. It was very eye opening for me. 

For many years, the procedures have been in place in the Church for -lay people- to root out and stop abusers dead in their tracks. In the Ratigan incident, those procedures were not followed by at least 6 people before Finn knew of the matter. Dealing with those breakdowns on the lay level is where real resolution and healing takes place, but I'm forced to assume that is near as salacious as the head of a sitting bishop.....so.....the mob mentality must be maintained.