text: This is such a tragedy.  First, of course, for the victims, if these allegations are found to be true.  It has been said that even just one instance of clergy abuse is one too many and that must always certainly be true.
  
  But this is also a tragedy because of the inevitable smear on other priests (Catholic and other denominations), the vastly overwhelming majority of whom are decent, incredibly hard working men devoted to the flocks entrusted to them.  I have known several of them personally over the years and I think most people would be astonished to learn of the relentless, multi-tasking, long hours that they put in, often in circumstances of extremity for the parishioner.
  
  The transgressors, overt and by cover-up, must be found out, shamed and punished but let us not condemn all the others (who are more appalled than we are).