text: Shar,
  When the scandal story first broke, there was a protracted effort by the bishops to define the scandal VERY narrowly.  They zeroed in almost instantly on "ephebophilia" (I believe that was the term) in an effort to define this ONLY as being gay predators on pre-pubescent teens.  Think about that for a moment in the context of what we now know.  Sadly, I fear this strategy has served them well ever since.  But the strategy is also a bit of a bet that other scandals wont pop out...
  
  Seems to me that not only did the bishops long know about the problem, but they likely had contingency plans depending on how the story might ultimately play out in the press!  THAT recognition is chilling.  If for no other reason, it made it clear that the bishops had no intent of truly cleaning house: only damage control.  I see little to suggest they've changed their tune since.
  
  I think Sr. Sally did a great job of describing what so many feel about the institutional church today.