Richard Sipe

A. W. Richard Sipe (born December 11, 1932, in Robbinsdale, MN)[1] is a former Benedictine monk-priest of 18 years, a sociologist and author of 6 books about Catholicism American Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor trained specifically[2] to deal with the mental health problems of Roman Catholic Priests. He practiced psychotherapy, "taught on the faculties of Major Catholic Seminaries and colleges, lectured in medical schools, and served as a consultant and expert witness in both civil and criminal cases involving the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests". During his training and therapies, he conducted a 25-year ethnographic study published in 1990 about the celibate/sexual behavior of that population. In 1970 Richard Sipe married Marianne and they have one son.[1]

He has been a professional witness in over 57 lawsuits,[3]

Research on Homosexuality

A number of small-scale studies by Dr. A.W. Richard Sipe, and others have not found evidence that homosexuals are more likely to molest children than heterosexuals.[4][5]

Abuse in Burlington Diocese

In a May 2009 study, Sipe found that there were extensive problems in the sexual behavior of Burlington clergy. He examined the records of 102 priests "whose records were available" between 1950 and 2002. He claimed that, out of this group, 23 priests were sexually involved with children under the age of 13 years, 15 were reported for involvement with married women and 19 priests who had sexual relationships with adult men. He asserted that 49 priests could be said to have had a homosexual orientation.[6]

Media Coverage

Sipe has participated in 12 documentaries on celibacy and priest sexual abuse aired by HBO, BBC, and other networks in the United States, United Kingdom, and France and he has been widely interviewed by media including CNN, ABC, NBC, CNBC, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, People magazine, Newsweek and USA Today.[7]

Statements

Richard Sipe was quoted (in part) as saying that "several hundred popes have been murdered."[8]

"The most valuable development since 2000 has been the open exposure of the misbehavior of priests and religious. This has been one element that alerts not just Catholics but members of other religious groups to the potential sexual dangers posed by men and women in positions of power over young people. The church has contributed to the education about child abuse and the need for prevention of abuse and to provide education for protection for all children and the vulnerable. Unfortunately the efforts of the Catholic Church have been forced on them by the public out cry, victims’ testimony, and the legal system that calls bishops and religious superiors to account for their gross neglect, conspiracies to conceal crimes, and fraud to keep abuse secret. It is an ongoing fight to keep the church honest. Catholic laymen and women (Governor Frank Keating and Chief Justice Anne Burke) who have worked closely with church officials say that the bishops do not want to change, but only want “business as usual.” The encouraging thing is that people do not accept the word of bishops as true, necessary or important anymore."[9]

Books by Sipe

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 About Richard
  2. ↑ Richard Sipe Reports
  3. ↑ Alan Cooperman (2002-01-30). "For Dioceses, Legal Toll Quietly Rises". Washington Post. BishopAccountability.org.
  4. ↑ Elias, Marilyn, "Is homosexuality to blame for church scandal?" from USA Today
  5. ↑ "Facts About Homosexuality and Child Molestation" from UC Davis
  6. ↑ Burlington, Vermont: Profile of one diocese
  7. ↑ Richard Sipe, Greenwood.com
  8. ↑ "Only God Can Fire Pope Benedict After Scandals". abcnews.go.com. 2010-03-29.
  9. ↑ Richardsipe.com, interview.

External links

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Scholar
Interviews
Books