ED, According to court and diocese records almost 20 % of the priests in the LA diocese were involved.  No-one is exaggerating, but it is denial of the episcopacy and some catholics, in the face of the evidence that makes the situation ever worse and likely will prolong the abuse by priests... Deny as you may but it does not help the situation.  BTW, Holy Orders was created by men several generations after the death of Christ.  It is the Priesthood of Baptism that is Apostolic and the Eucharist was celebrated in the homes of those following the Way of Christ before there was any man made sacrament of holy orders.  The laity by the authority of their Baptism have the right and power to do everything that the ordained ministry does.  The laity also has the responsibility to ask their leadership to clean up its own house--- that is if they have any self respect and wish to have people pay much attention to them.  Clericalism must be radically changed and the sooner the better.