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The abuse scandal in the Church is a horrible, horrible thing, and we've really only seen the tip of the iceburg. However, what you must remember in this entire ordeal is you're dealing with many things--the Roman Catholic Church, which is an international organisation and secular laws, which have varying statutes of limitations.
Most of the accusations of abuse have come out 10, 15, 20 years after it happened. By this time, the abuse statute of limitations has well run out, and the only recourse is civil court. There is no jail time possible for a crime on which the statute of limitations has expired. This is why crimes like homocide have no statute of limitations, so the case may be re-opened whenever new evidence comes to light.
Consider, then, the position of the Church. There is a handful of priests giving the rest of the clergy a bad name. They cannot be sent to jail for their actions, but they are costing the Church a lot of money. The logical recourse, then, is to expell the priests. Most of these are old men who have done nothing save minister for their entire lives. What will they do with their remaining years? What skills do they have, and would people even trust them? Defrocking a priest is a harsh sentance from the Vatican, especially as the mark of priesthood is said to be indellible. This removed that which God has ordained, and is as close to excommunication as the Vatican is willing to get.
I agree, these crimes are horrible, and I don't like everything the Vatican is doing. But the way they are being treated in Protestant America is equally wretched. Protestant clergy people abuse children as well, and cover it up. Don't kid yourselves. Any position of power, be it temporal or spiritual, lends itself to such acts. Yes, the scandal in the Church is horrific. But don't think that it hasn't happened anywhere else.
~Emma
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