Just wondering have you ever taken the time to compare the number of children abused by Priests to oh say the number sexually abused by non Celibate family members. The numbers just might shock you.
@jafo2010 I find it interesting that the Hollywood and media types are loudly pointing the finger at the Priesthood, where a few dozen of 410,000 priests are accused, when Hollywood is literally teeming with sexual abuse and exploitation.
Something about the mote in one eye and the beam in another....
As for celibacy, it is and remains a choice, as does going into the priesthood. IIRC, that choice is based on a verse in Matthew, in which after the Ressurection, those in Heaven are neither married nor given in marriage, but are like the Angels. That is, devoted to The Almighty, rather than to one another. There are also numerous admonitions against homosexuality and against leading children astray (better to have a millstone tied around their neck and be cast into the sea), so clearly, those who do not follow their vows, which they freely engage in, are in violation of those same vows.
Celibacy would include not diddling little boys or girls just as much as adults, so ANY violation of the oath is just that--a violation, whether with child or adult. Here, the problem is liars who want to exploit their position in the community as someone respected--just as film producers with a casting couch in their respective community. The deceivers need to be ferreted out, defrocked, and when appropriate (in actions involving a violation of secular law as well), prosecuted.
The seminal difference is that the former is a violation of trust and an oath before The Almighty, the latter just bid'ness if you want to get anywhere in that town.
I have no idea where you get the numbers of 1 deviant in 6, especially considering the size and scope of the clerical community (410,000 Priests worldwide), and would like to see the source which you get those stats from.
I'd wager that if a clean study was done, that one vocation would shine as pure in contrast to the other ('entertainment media'), but then, it is supposed to do so. Also, have you done any investigation into what the level of sexual misconduct is in other denominations? How about other vocations, such as schoolteachers or politicians?